Greenbaum was born in Malden, Massachusetts. He was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household and attended Hebrew school at Congregation Beth Israel. His initial interest in music was sparked by southern blues music and the folk music that was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He performed with various bands in high school and studied music at Boston University for two years. Read Full BioNorman Joel Greenbaum (born November 20, 1942) is an American singer-songwriter. He is best known for writing and performing the 1969 song “Spirit in the Sky”.
Greenbaum was born in Malden, Massachusetts. He was raised in an Orthodox Jewish household and attended Hebrew school at Congregation Beth Israel. His initial interest in music was sparked by southern blues music and the folk music that was popular in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He performed with various bands in high school and studied music at Boston University for two years. In college he performed at local coffeehouses but eventually dropped out and moved to Los Angeles in 1965.
Greenbaum is best known for his song "Spirit in the Sky". The song, with its combination of 'heavy' guitar, hand-clapping, and spiritual lyrics, was released by Reprise Records in 1969. It sold two million copies in 1969 and 1970, and received a gold disc from the R.I.A.A. It has subsequently been used in many films, advertisements, and television shows.
Although "Spirit in the Sky" has a clear Christian theme, Greenbaum was and remains an observant Jew. Greenbaum says he was inspired to write the song after watching country singers singing a song on television. In an interview Greenbaum stated that western movies were the real inspiration for "Spirit in the Sky".
Though Greenbaum is generally regarded as a one-hit wonder, several of his records placed prominently in the charts, including "Canned Ham" in 1970, which reached number 46 on the Billboard pop chart. In 1966, under the name Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band, he recorded the novelty hit "The Eggplant That Ate Chicago". In the 1960s Greenbaum also performed under the name Bruno Wolf with the Jim Kweskin Jug Band.
Greenbaum has been a long-time resident of Santa Rosa, California. He was critically injured when the car in which he was a passenger made a left turn in the path of a motorcycle on Occidental Road on March 28, 2015, killing the motorcyclist and also injuring the motorcycle passenger. Greenbaum has since gone back to performing.
Spirit in the Sky
Norman Greenbaum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
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 (spirit in the sky)
Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die)
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best
The lyrics to "Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum express his belief in the afterlife and his conviction that he will go to the best place when he dies - the spirit in the sky. Greenbaum sings about the need to prepare oneself for death by having a friend in Jesus, who will recommend one to the spirit in the sky. He believes that he will be set up with the spirit in the sky because he has never been a sinner and he has a friend in Jesus, who will help him reach his final destination after death.
The song can be interpreted as a celebration of life after death, with the spirit in the sky being a metaphor for heaven or the afterlife. The upbeat and lively tone of the song, along with the gospel and rock influences in the music, contribute to its sense of optimism and hope. Greenbaum's lyrics borrow from Christian themes and beliefs, reflecting his own religious background, but are also accessible to those who may not share his faith.
Overall, "Spirit in the Sky" is a powerful and uplifting song that expresses Norman Greenbaum's faith in the afterlife and his belief that he will go to the best place when he dies.
Line by Line Meaning
When I die and they lay me to rest
When my physical body dies and is buried
Gonna go to the place that's the best
I believe in an afterlife that's great
When I lay me down to die
When my life comes to an end
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
I believe my soul will ascend to an ideal afterlife
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
I have faith that my soul will ascend to an ideal afterlife
Prepare yourself you know it's a must
You should get ready for the afterlife
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
Having someone like Jesus to help you is important
So you know that when you die
If you have Jesus as a friend, you'll have someone who can vouch for you after death
He's gonna recommend you
Jesus will recommend you to the afterlife
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I believe I've always been a good person
I got a friend in Jesus
I believe I have someone on my side in the afterlife
He's gonna set me up
Jesus will help me get my ideal afterlife
Go to the place that's the best
Go to the afterlife that's great
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Norman Greenbaum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nathan Mccumber
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
King James Version
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Repent every one be baptize in name of Jesus Christ for remission of sin.
Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Nathan Mccumber
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
King James Version
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Repent every one be baptize in name of Jesus Christ for remission of sin.
Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Aurboda Khattak
Lyrics
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
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 (spirit in the sky)
Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die)
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best
Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Norman Greenbaum
Nathan Mccumber
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
King James Version
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Repent every one be baptize in name of Jesus Christ for remission of sin.
Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Nathan Mccumber
2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
King James Version
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Repent every one be baptize in name of Jesus Christ for remission of sin.
Mark 16:15-16
15 And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Maggie Trayanova
LYRICS:
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
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 (spirit in the sky)
Oh he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die (when you die)
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
with the spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)
That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best
堕落大学生観察チャンネル
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that's the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
死んだら墓に埋められて
最高の場所に行くんだ
死ぬ時がやってきたなら
空の彼方の神様のとこへ昇ってくんだよ
[Chorus]
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
空の彼方の神様のとこへ昇っていくんだよ
死んで墓に入ったら
死んだら墓に埋められて
最高の場所に行くんだ
[Verse 2]
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
いつか来ることだからちゃんと準備しておいて
ジーザスと仲良くなっておかなきゃな
そうすればお前が死んだ時だって
ジーザスがお前のことを頼んでくれる
空の彼方の神様に
[Chorus]
Gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
That's where you're gonna go when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
You're gonna go to the place that's the best
お前のことを頼んでくれる
空の彼方の神様に
お前も死んだらそこに行く
死んだら墓に埋められて
最高の場所に行くんだ
[Verse 3]
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He's gonna set me up
With the spirit in the sky
悪いことはしてないし，罪だって一度も犯したことないよ
ジーザスだって知り合いなんだ
だからこの世を去る時も
ジーザスが御膳立てしてくれる
空の彼方の神様に
[Chorus]
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I'm gonna go to the place that's the best
Go to the place that's the best
空の彼方の神様に御膳立てしてくれて
死んだらそこへ行くんだよ
死んだら墓に埋められて
最高の場所に行くんだ
一番ステキなとこへ行くんだ
Rich Johnson
I flew helicopters in Vietnam and when this song came on the Armed Forces Radio station while we were flying I would keep in the beat with the pedals, which made the aircraft nose turn right and left.. I still love this song and want it played at my funeral as I hope to be with Jesus then.
abdullah rashad yudhanegara
Thats epic sir, thank you for your service
Danny Dethanos
Thank you for your service you’ve played part in saving millions of Americans and citizens all around the world, if you don’t make it i don’t think any of us will. God bless and thank you for your service even if it wasn’t appreciated in it’s time you put yourself into harms way to protect humanity.
RyennFilms
how old are you?
Jenny Anydots
Full respect 👍
PeteyGunn
thats just cool, thank you for your service sir!
Diane Bates
My mother died of cancer, I kissed her goodbye, watched her spirit leave her. Leaving the hospital I got in my car, this was playing on the radio. 36 years later I still listen to this song everyday. Brings Mom a little closer.
Gary Johns
Oh wow, Diane. My Dad died in 2012 and when I found him a fraction too late, a Frank Sinatra song was playing on the radio. Every time I hear that tune, I tear up.
Rob Anderson
I love this story. It must have been magical that this song was on when you got in the car. I love when God smiles at us in these little ways that mean so much. This comment made my day.
rip snort
Awesome