Spirit In The Sky

The Zoo Crew is spinning the iconic "Spirit In The Sky" by Norman Greenbaum, a track from his 1969 album of the same name that’s still got the Zoo Freaks vibing. This psychedelic rock anthem, with its unforgettable fuzz-tone guitar riff, was written in just 15 minutes, inspired by Greenbaum watching country legend Porter Wagoner perform a gospel song on TV. Greenbaum, a Jewish artist, crafted the song with Christian references like “Gotta have a friend in Jesus,” but he’s said the real focus was the “spirit in the sky,” not the religious specifics. He drew from Western movies, wanting to capture the idea of dying “with my boots on,” giving the song a hippie-spiritual edge that resonated worldwide. The track sold over two million copies, hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and topped charts in the UK, Australia, and Canada. It’s been featured in over 30 films, including Apollo 13, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Ocean’s Eleven, and even played at the 2022 Oscars during the in-memoriam segment.

Some wild stories surround the song’s legacy. Greenbaum has shared that fans write to him about life-changing moments tied to the track, like one who rushed home after hearing it in a store, only to save their dog from a medical emergency. Another fan claimed their first romantic encounter happened in a car’s backseat while the song played. Funeral directors have told Greenbaum it’s the second-most-requested song for memorial services, right after “Danny Boy.” The song’s recording was a unique blend of boogie rock, blues, and gospel, featuring the Stovall Sisters from Oakland on backup vocals and hand percussion, alongside Greenbaum’s Fender Telecaster with a built-in fuzz circuit. John Lennon praised its simplicity in a 1971 interview, and Rolling Stone ranked it No. 333 on their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” Despite its Christian themes, some Christians criticized the line “Never been a sinner, I’ve never sinned,” prompting artists like DC Talk to tweak the lyrics in their covers.

Norman Greenbaum, born November 20, 1942, in Malden, Massachusetts, kicked off his musical journey with a deep love for Southern blues and the folk music booming in the late 1950s. Raised in an Orthodox Jewish household, he attended Hebrew school and taught himself guitar in junior high. By high school, he was playing in local bands, and while at Boston University for two years, he performed at coffeehouses. Dropping out in 1965, he moved to Los Angeles to chase a music career. There, he formed the quirky psychedelic jug band Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band, scoring a minor hit in 1966 with the novelty track “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago,” which reached No. 52 on the Billboard charts. The band’s eccentric style didn’t quite crack mainstream success, so Greenbaum went solo, moving to San Francisco and submitting “Spirit In The Sky” to Reprise Records as a simple folk demo. Producer Erik Jacobsen transformed it into the electrified hit we know, with gospel backup and a pulsing rhythm.

After “Spirit In The Sky,” Greenbaum struggled to replicate its success. His follow-up single “Canned Ham” hit No. 46 in 1970, but later albums like Petaluma (1972) didn’t chart. By the 1980s, he left music, working as a sous-chef and kitchen manager in Northern California. The song’s revival in films like Maid to Order (1987) brought him back into the spotlight, and licensing deals for commercials (Nike, Gatorade, Budweiser) provided a comfortable living. Greenbaum, now 82, still performs occasionally and engages with fans online. You can visit his official website at spiritinthesky.com, where he sells autographed CDs and shares fan stories. His Facebook page is active with posts about his music and life, though he doesn’t have official Instagram or X accounts. Fans can connect on the Spirit In The Sky – Norman Greenbaum Fan Group on Facebook, a lively community sharing memories and updates about his work.