Greenbaum is best known for his song "Spirit in the Sky", which sold two million copies across 1969 and 1970.[1] This disc sold over one million by May 1970 alone, and received a gold disc awarded by the R.I.A.A.. The song, with its combination of 'heavy' guitar, hand-clapping, and spiritual lyrics, has been used in many films, advertisements, and television shows.
Although "Spirit in the Sky" has a seemingly Christian theme, Greenbaum was and still is a practicing Jew. He was inspired to write the song after observing country singers Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner singing a religious song on television.
Greenbaum is regarded by some as a one-hit wonder; however, several of his records placed prominently in the charts. In 1968, under the name Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band, he recorded the novelty hit "The Eggplant That Ate Chicago". Warner Bros. Records released "Spirit in the Sky" to tremendous response in 1970; a December 1970 survey of the top 100 songs of the decade, hosted by radio personality Robert W. Morgan, listed "Spirit in the Sky" at #7.
Spirit in the Sky
Greenbaum Norman 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
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 the belief that when someone passes away, their spirit will go to heaven. The singer expresses this belief as an absolute certainty – "when I die," "that's where I'm gonna go" – and emphasizes the idea that heaven is the best place to go after death.
The song also communicates the idea that one needs to "prepare" oneself for the afterlife by having a "friend in Jesus." This suggests that being a good person is not enough to ensure that one's spirit goes to heaven; one needs to have a relationship with Christ. The line "He's gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky" suggests that Jesus will intercede on behalf of the believers, ensuring that their spirits reach heaven.
Overall, the song seems to be more concerned with the afterlife than with life itself. The singer's focus is on where his spirit will go after he dies, rather than on the joys and struggles of life on Earth. However, the message of the song is one of hope and comfort, as it suggests that no matter what happens in this life, believers will ultimately find peace and happiness in the afterlife.
Line by Line Meaning
When I die and they lay me to rest
Talking about his funeral and his wish to go somewhere special after death
Gonna go to the place that's the best
He wants to go to the best place of the afterlife
When I lay me down to die
Presumably he knows when he’s going to die
Goin' up to the spirit in the sky
He believes that after his death he'll ascend to the sky where his spirituality resides
That's where I'm gonna go when I die
He strongly believes his soul will go to the spirit in the sky after his death
Prepare yourself you know it's a must
One needs to be prepared for the afterlife by having faith in Jesus
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
To get to the spirit in the sky, he needs the help and support of Jesus
He's gonna recommend you to the spirit in the sky
Jesus will convince the Almighty to consider him for ascension
Never been a sinner, I never sinned
He believes he's a pure and holy person in the eyes of Jesus
I got a friend in Jesus
Jesus is his most trusted guide and will always help him
He's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky
Jesus will facilitate his ascension to the spirit in the sky
Go to the place that's the best
In afterlife, he wants to reach the place with the utmost peace and happiness
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Norman Greenbaum
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nathanmccumber8965
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.
@nathanmccumber8965
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.
@nathanmccumber8965
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
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
@nathanmccumber8965
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.
@richjohnson5112
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.
@dannydethanos6994
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.
@ryennfilms6429
how old are you?
@jennyanydots7582
Full respect 👍
@PeteyGunn
thats just cool, thank you for your service sir!
@zzodysseuszz
@@dannydethanos6994 no you didn’t. Go someone to do…nothing.
Or shoot innocents in other countries doesn’t actually help anyone
@anthonymorris4842
Never get tired of listening to this great song. I am 65 and it still sounds as good as when it first came out.
@wrdowdy4200
I'm 80 and this song perennial.
@dougie2fly511
@@wrdowdy4200How does it feel to reach that age? I hope to reach it one day.
@sstills951
65 is the new 55 brother.