About Spirit In The Sky
Norman Greenbaum is best known for his song “Spirit In The Sky”, which sold two million singles in 1970, then a record (no pun intended), for Warner Brothers.
With one of the most recognizable opening guitar riffs to this day, and referred to over the years as the best industrial fuzz tone ever produced, shivers up the spine continue, with the song still in heavy rotation on every oldies radio station worldwide.
“Well, I’ve always liked simple rock. There’s a great one in England now, ‘I Hear You Knocking.’ I liked the ‘Spirit in the Sky’ a few months back. I always liked simple rock and nothing else.”
John Lennon 1971
Movies
Apollo 13
Wayne’s World 2
Remember The Titans
Jack Reacher
Suicide Squad
Guardians Of The Galaxy
Superstar
Miami Blues
Oceans 11
Commercials
Gatorade
Nike
American Express
HBO
Budweiser
Chase Bank
Lyft
Audi @ Super Bowl 2020
TV Shows
Academy Awards 2022
NBA Basketball Finals 2022
Lone Star
Masked Singer
Beat Shazam
Shameless
Simpsons
Black List
VH1’s “The Top 10 Epic Rock Songs Featuring Jesus Christ”
Spirit in the Sky” – Norman Greenbaum
Sonic Scripture: “Prepare yourself you know it’s a must/Gotta have a friend in Jesus/So you know that when you die/He’s gonna recommend you/To the spirit in the sky”
Rock of Ages: Longhaired singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum became a one-hit wonder in 1970 by way of the two-million-singles-selling “Spirit in the Sky”—and what a one hit it is!
Combining irresistible handclaps, fuzz guitar, and hippie-trippy lyrics about communing with J.C. and his Pop upon departing this mortal coil, “Spirit in the Sky” is a psychedelic masterwork. Who knows how many chemically enhanced cosmic awakenings it’s kicked off? Ah, yes: the Spirit in the Sky knows, that’s who!
In 1986, new wave act Doctor and the Medics scored a hit with a neo-psych version of the song, also going to #1 in the UK and Europe.
Gareth Gates: UK Pop Idol
In 2003, Gareth Gates, (runner up in UK Pop Idol), released his version of Spirit In The Sky and it was the official Comic Relief charity single for that year. The song features guest vocals from the Kumars. The song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Gates’ fourth number-one single. Watch here.
Enjoy and thanks again for visiting.