“Spirit in the Sky” grabs your attention from the very first note, with its unmistakable fuzz-toned guitar, soon joined by energetic drums, bass, handclaps, and gospel-like backing vocals. Written and performed by Norman Greenbaum, the track surged onto the charts, staying for 14 weeks and eventually reaching number three in the US. But what made this quirky tune such an unexpected success?
Greenbaum, a Malden, Massachusetts native, grew up playing in bands during high school and college. After studying music at Boston University, he dropped out and moved west, where he joined the psychedelic folk band Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band. The group had a minor hit in 1966 with “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago.” After the band split, Greenbaum moved on to a few other short-lived groups before beginning his solo career. Interestingly, “Spirit in the Sky” wasn’t even the first single from his 1969 album of the same name. Reprise Records initially pushed other tracks, but none made much of an impact on the charts or radio.
When “Spirit in the Sky” was finally released, it quickly became a hit, climbing both US and UK charts in late 1969 and early 1970. Greenbaum, who is Jewish, has mentioned that he wanted to write a gospel song, believing there was a strong market for it. The signature guitar sound was crafted using a Fender Telecaster with a built-in fuzz box. The Stovall Sisters, a gospel trio from Oakland, provided the backing vocals, giving the track its unique sound. A blend of rock and religion, the song became a massive hit, inspiring numerous covers, including one by a young Elton John who recorded versions for budget-priced compilations.
While “Spirit in the Sky” stole the spotlight, the album also featured other psychedelic pop tracks like “Marcy” and the offbeat “Canned Ham.” Greenbaum released a couple more albums, including 1972’s Petaluma, named after a California dairy farm he owned. That album, featuring guitar work from Ry Cooder, was his last original release. He retired from music in the 1970s but occasionally performed live and still reflects on his career in interviews.
The story of “Spirit in the Sky” didn’t end with Greenbaum, though. In 1986, British group Doctor and the Medics covered the song for their album Laughing at the Pieces, scoring a number-one hit in the UK and gaining traction on MTV in the US. While the band had other charting singles, their version of “Spirit in the Sky” remains their most successful.
The song made a third UK chart appearance in 2003 when it was re-released as a charity single for Comic Relief, sung by Gareth Gates. “Spirit in the Sky” continues to resonate, appearing in commercials, TV shows like House and Supernatural, and movies including Wayne’s World 2, Contact, Ocean’s 11, and the Guardians of the Galaxy trailer. Its legacy endures, a timeless spirit that lives on.
The Famous song, “Spirit in the Sky” was written by Norman Greenbaum in just 15 minutes, and he has been living solely on the royalties for the last 50 years.
