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Chances are if your local oldies station is airing a One Hit Wonders show, the name of Norman Greenbaum will be high on the countdown.  Okay, it’s not technically accurate; the Massachusetts-born singer-songwriter followed up his famous hit with “Canned Ham” (No. 46 on the U.S. Pop chart) in 1970 and “California Earthquake” (No. 93) in 1971.  But Greenbaum’s 1969 smash “Spirit in the Sky” remains the song with which the artist will be forever identified – an international chart-topper which reached No. 3 in the United States and has been certified 2x Platinum by the RIAA.  Craft Recordings has just premiered “Spirit in the Sky” in a new Dolby Atmos mix, and on June 13, the label will reissue its parent album on vinyl in a AAA replica edition with lacquers cut from the original stereo masters by Kevin Gray.

Though initially inspired by the sounds of folk and blues, Greenbaum first made his mark in music as the leader of the LA-based psych group Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band.  Greenbaum penned their novelty favorite “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago.”  A No. 52 hit in 1967, it was later immortalized on an anthology by novelty music guru Dr. Demento.  But the singer-songwriter had higher aspirations, epitomized by the new song he’d written as an acoustic ballad: “Spirit in the Sky.”  Greenbaum submitted the song to Reprise Records, and staff producer Erik Jacobsen quickly realized its potential.

Jacobson oversaw a dramatic rearrangement of the song, including double-tracked vocals, an electrified sound (with the artist playing a Fender Telecaster with built-in fuzzbox), and the appearance of The Stovall Singers to heighten the gospel feel already inherent in the composition.  Its guitar riff would become instantly recognizable.  Upon its release, “Spirit in the Sky” became a sensation in the U.S. and around the world and was even adopted as an anthem of praise.  Greenbaum, born into the Jewish faith, acknowledged that it hadn’t been his intention; he was simply inspired by Porter Wagoner’s television performance of Mel Tillis’ “Pastor’s Absent on Vacation.”  The title, he said, came from a greeting card.  Whatever the source, “Spirit in the Sky” was a thrilling four minutes fusing rock, pop, gospel, and soul into a remarkable whole.  (Greenbaum’s original demo, first released on Varese’s 2001 expanded album reissue, is available on streaming services from Craft Recordings.)  It’s appeared in dozens of films and television shows including Guardians of the Galaxy, The Simpsons, Apollo 13, and Ocean’s Eleven, while three different versions have all hit No. 1 on the U.K. Singles Chart.

The Spirit in the Sky album, though anchored by the hit track, showcases the breadth of Greenbaum’s songwriting artistry.  His first of three albums for Reprise, it had the same eclectic sensibility as the song, flecked with gospel, pop, country, rock, psychedelia, and folk.  (Those follow-up albums, Petaluma and Back Home Again, are also streaming from Craft.)  Craft’s upcoming reissue marks the first appearance on vinyl of Spirit in the Sky in more than a decade.

The Atmos mix of “Spirit in the Sky” is streaming now, while the remastered LP arrives on June 13.  You’ll find the track listing and pre-order links below.  As an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Norman Greenbaum, Spirit in the Sky (Reprise LP RS 6365, 1969 – reissued Craft Recordings, 2025) (Amazon U.S. / Amazon U.K. / Amazon Canada)

Side A:

1. Junior Cadillac
2. Spirit in the Sky
3. Skyline
4. Jubilee
5. Alice Bodine

Side B:

1. Tars Of India
2. The Power
3. Good Lookin’ Woman
4. Milk Cow
5. Marcy​