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.
Alice Bodine
Norman Greenbaum Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stars were shining bright
I sat underneath the tree
Dreamt unto the night
Dreamt about a girl I knew
When I was ten years younger
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
I remember all the times
We looked at each other
I remember when she introduced me to her mother
And the chocolate brownies she made
While we watched TV
Me and Alice Bodine
Me and Alice Bodine
I wonder if she ever dreams of me
We used to spend our Saturdays
Driving in my auto
"Together with the countryside"
Had become our motto
And her mother liked me 'cause
We never came home late
Me and Alice Bodine
Me and Alice Bodine
But by some strange quirk of fate
We were separated
It's been ten years since
Last time that we dated
I wonder what she's doing now
I hope she's feeling fine
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
The lyrics to Norman Greenbaum's song Alice Bodine tell the story of a man who has been dreaming about a girl he knew when he was ten years younger. He reminisces about the times they spent together, driving in his car and spending Saturdays in the countryside, with her mother approving of their relationship. He wonders if she ever dreams of him and hopes she is doing well. The song has a nostalgic tone to it, suggesting that the memories he has of his time with Alice are precious and meaningful.
The lyrics also contain a sense of longing and regret, as the singer states that he and Alice were separated due to a "strange quirk of fate" and haven't dated in ten years. While it is not clear what happened between them, the implication is that their relationship ended prematurely, leaving both of them with a sense of unfulfilled potential. The fact that he is still dreaming about her after all this time suggests that she had a significant impact on his life and that he still pines for her.
Line by Line Meaning
Happened just the other night
Recalling a recent event
Stars were shining bright
Describing the atmosphere
I sat underneath the tree
Setting the scene of reminiscing outdoors
Dreamt unto the night
Reflecting on old memories while asleep
Dreamt about a girl I knew
Remembering an old flame
When I was ten years younger
Reflecting on the time passed
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
Repeating the subject of the dream
I remember all the times
Remembering past experiences
We looked at each other
Describing mutual eye contact
I remember when she introduced me to her mother
Recalling a past meeting with her family
And the chocolate brownies she made
Recollecting a sweet memory
While we watched TV
Describing a relaxing moment
Me and Alice Bodine
Emphasizing the connection with her
I wonder if she ever dreams of me
Contemplating if she thinks of him too
We used to spend our Saturdays
Narrating a past habit
Driving in my auto
Detailing the mode of transportation
"Together with the countryside"
Quoting a shared belief
Had become our motto
Describing what was important to them
And her mother liked me 'cause
Sharing an opinion of her family
We never came home late
Implying their responsibility
But by some strange quirk of fate
Explaining the reason for the separation
We were separated
Describing the end of the relationship
It's been ten years since
Noting the length of time
Last time that we dated
Specifying the ending of their romantic relationship
I wonder what she's doing now
Thinking about her current life
I hope she's feeling fine
Expressing concern for her well-being
I been dreaming 'bout Alice Bodine
Repeating the significance of the dream
Writer(s): Norman Greenbaum
Contributed by Julia S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@countrypaul
I have loved this song since it first came out, and used to play it on the radio at the late lamented WBRU in Providence, RI. The contrast of the semi-jokey vocal, the clever rhymes and the deep sentiment really nails it. (And - sigh - I have an Alice Bodine or two in my past!) This is such an underrated album....
@RedVynil
I got a promo copy a little while before radio played the hit and IO loved the last song on each side!! Really nice spacey stuff that I plan to put in a collection of spacey songs from that era! Got anymore? I've already got "Jigsaw" pegged to go into my psych compilation, "The Enpsychlopedia".
@laurafriberg3918
You sound like Harry Chapin
@rndyblck
Played this a lot on am radio in the 80’s. Alice is no relation to jethro or jethrine bodine.