For over fifty years, Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 anthem “Spirit in the Sky” has captivated audiences with its euphoric energy and groundbreaking, genre-blending sound. Now, Craft Recordings is celebrating the song’s timeless legacy with two special releases: a brand-new Dolby Atmos mix of the single, available for streaming and download today, and a vinyl reissue of Greenbaum’s iconic debut album, Spirit in the Sky, arriving June 13, 2025.
Long out-of-print, this 1969 classic returns to vinyl in a replica tip-on jacket, with lacquers cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. Anchored by the legendary title track, the album blends rock, gospel, and psychedelia, and features hidden gems like “Marcy,” “Tars of India,” and “Skyline” that showcase Greenbaum’s unique songwriting. The Dolby Atmos single offers fans a chance to experience “Spirit in the Sky” in stunning spatial audio, elevating the classic track to new heights.
Fueled by one of the most iconic guitar hooks in history, Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 hit “Spirit in the Sky” went from a bold experiment to a global sensation, topping charts worldwide and selling over two million copies. A blend of rock, gospel, pop, and psychedelia, it was a genre-defying anthem that was way ahead of its time.
Greenbaum, a Massachusetts native, had a brief stint with Dr. West’s Medicine Show before striking gold with “Spirit in the Sky” under the guidance of producer Erik Jacobsen. The song’s creation was quick—Greenbaum wrote the lyrics in just 15 minutes after a gospel show, and the track’s distinctive sound was partly thanks to Greenbaum’s fuzzed-out Fender Telecaster and the powerful harmonies of The Stovall Sisters. Despite initial resistance from Reprise Records, the song became an international hit, staying on the U.S. Top 40 for 14 weeks.
Greenbaum’s debut album, Spirit in the Sky, released in 1969, features everything from funky R&B to psychedelic rock. Though the album wasn’t an immediate commercial success, it’s now hailed as a cult classic, with tracks like “Marcy” and “Junior Cadillac” showing off Greenbaum’s eclectic musical range.
Since its release, “Spirit in the Sky” has made its mark on pop culture, appearing in countless films, ads, and TV shows. It’s been covered, sampled, and even topped the UK Singles Chart three times—each with a different version. A proto-glam masterpiece, Spirit in the Sky continues to earn its place among the greatest songs of all time.
The vinyl reissue of Norman Greenbaum’s, Spirit in the Sky, is available for pre-order now, but will be released on June 13, 2025.
Related Reading
Anton Wayne
April 16, 2025 at 12:30 pm
The origins of this song had nothing to do with Jesus, which many people incorrectly assume. Greenbaum was really into Southern Blues and cowboy movies. It’s about dying with your boots on.
One hit wonder. Not bad for a dairy farmer.
Ian White
April 16, 2025 at 1:45 pm
So Norman Greenbaum was raised in an Orthodox Jewish family and even attended Yeshiva before entering college in Boston. Interesting about the blues and cowboy angles. That one hit wonder made him a lot of money. Or the label a lot of money. It’s been used in dozens of commercials and movies.
He’s still alive and living in California. Has to be in his mid-80s.
IW
Anton
April 16, 2025 at 6:21 pm
Orthodox Jew? Interesting lyrics to say the least.
At least Robert Zimmerman had the integrity to change his name and not pretend to be “Jewish” and then write lyrics that would denigrate his upbringing and faith.
Bob was not a hypocrite.
ORT
April 16, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Anton, Anton, Anton…Truth be told, I like Norman’s song. A LOT. The open guitar work is most impressive and is singularly distinguishing.
I also like the Canadian group Ocean and their big hit, “Put Your Hand in the Hand” from 1971. I also like George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” and his “Awaiting On You All” has one of my favorite lyrics – “But the Pope owns 51% of General Motors and the stock exchange is the only thing he’s qualified to quote us”.
As for Bob Dylan changing his name? He did what a lot of performers, actors, actresses, farteests and people like me do. Do you really think “ORT” is my real name?! How far would I have gotten in this world with the birth name of “Brometheus Dildoe’z Phaaaque”.
And no, that is not my real name. Here are a few more from the olden, molden but still golden days of Hollyweird:
Margarita Carmen Cansino (Rita Hayworth)
Ruby Katherine Stevens (Barbara Stanwyck)
Marion Robert Morrison (John Wayne)
Frances Ethel Gumm (Judy Garland)
Archibald Leach (Cary Grant)
Betty Joan Perske (Lauren Bacall)
William Henry Pratt (Boris Karloff)
Issur Danielovitch (Kirk Douglas)
Norma Jean Mortenson (Marilyn Monroe)
Constance Frances Marie Ockelman (Veronica Lake)
Lucille Fay LeSueur (Joan Crawford)
Mary Frances Reynolds (Debbie Reynolds)
Maurice Joseph Micklewhite Jr. (Michael Caine)
Roy Harold Scherer Jr. (Rock Hudson)
John Charles Carter (Charlton Heston)
Jane Alice Peters (Carole Lombard)
Doris Mary Anne Kappelhoff (Doris Day)
Natalia Nikolaevna Zakharenko (Natalie Wood)
Arthur Andrew Kelm, later Arthur Gelien (Tab Hunter)
Benjamin Kubelsky (Jack Benny)
Laszlo Lowenstein (Peter Lorre)
Eleanor Geisman (June Allyson)
Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler (Hedy Lamarr)
David Daniel Kaminsky (Danny Kaye)
Gladys Louise Smith (Mary Pickford)
Emilie Claudette Chauchoin (Claudette Colbert)
Jacob Julius Garfinkle (John Garfield)
Greta Lovisa Gustafsson (Greta Garbo)
Joseph Yule, Jr. (Mickey Rooney)
Judith Tuvim (Judy Holliday)
Joan de Beauvoir de Havilland (Joan Fontaine)
Bernard Schwartz (Tony Curtis)
Jeanette Helen Morrison (Janet Leigh)
Frederick Austerlitz (Fred Astaire)
Virginia Katherine McMath (Ginger Rogers)
Rosa Dolores Alverío Marcano (Rita Moreno)
Nathan Birnbaum (George Burns)
Benjamin Kubelsky (Jack Benny)
Julia Jean Turner (Lana Turner)
Dino Paul Crocetti (Dean Martin)
William Beedle (William Holden)
Béla Blaskó (Bela Lugosi)
Ruth Elizabeth Davis (Bette Davis)
Asa Yoelson (Al Jolson)
Edward Israel Iskowitz (Eddie Cantor)
Frank James Cooper (Gary Cooper)
Harry Lillis Crosby Jr. (Bing Crosby)
Mendel Berlinger (Milton Berle)
Leonard Franklin Slye (Roy Rogers) and Lucille Wood Smith
(Dale Evans Rogers)
Joseph Levitch (Jerry Lewis)
I am not a hypocritic. 😉
ORTson Welles
Ian White
April 16, 2025 at 9:35 pm
ORT,
Like “Ian White” is my real name. It’s the anglicised version of a long run of Hebrew and Yiddish ones. Betty Joan Perske was quite a dish. Same with Jane Alice Peters and Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler. Pity the last one married a Nazi. She was a nice Jewish girl who invented WiFi. Sorta.
What’s in a name? Some vowels and consonants.
And I love this song too.
Bob Dylan never really gave up the faith. Both of his sons had Bar Mitzvahs in Brooklyn with Chabad Rabbis and he’s always supported Jewish causes and generally believes in spirituality and G-D. Helluva songwriter that Jewish kid from Minnesota.
Aharon Duvid Elimeleach Weishauss of Radom
ORT
April 16, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Ian, well said my friend!
For the riche and nameless I coined the portmanteau, “sellebrity”. Especially for Hollweirdos and D.C. Swamp Creatures, because all too often (but not all) these people have souled out to attain their riches and regardless of how well hidden their past may be, still they know what they did and must live with that.
I am fortunate enough to be both nondescript and talentless, LOL!
Hedy…”That’s HEDley!” Lamarr was an incredibly beautiful and smart woman. To the WayBack Machine to save her!
Oh, how I wish!
ORT
Ian White
April 17, 2025 at 12:41 am
ORT,
“I am fortunate enough to be both nondescript and talentless.”
Have to disagree massively on that one.
We were not worthy of Mel Brooks or Harvey Korman.
“Just a man and a horse being hung out there.”
Never gets old.
Mongo