Spirit in the Sky

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For a deity associated with the sky, see Spirit of the sky.

"Spirit in the Sky"
File:Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky.jpg
Single by Norman Greenbaum
from the album Spirit in the Sky
B-side"Milk Cow"
Released
  • December 1969 (UK)
  • January 1970 (US)
Recorded1968
Genre
Length4:02
Label
Songwriter(s)Norman Greenbaum
Producer(s)Erik Jacobsen
Audio sample
"Spirit in the Sky"

"Spirit in the Sky" is a song by American singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum, originally written and recorded by Greenbaum and released in late 1969 from the album of the same name.[2] The single became a gold record, selling two million copies from 1969 to 1970, and reached No. 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100[4] where it lasted for 15 weeks in the Top 100. Billboard ranked the record the No. 22 song of 1970.[5] It also climbed to No. 1 on the UK, Australian and Canadian charts in 1970. Rolling Stone ranked "Spirit in the Sky" No. 333 on its list of the "500 Greatest Songs of All Time". Cover versions by Doctor and the Medics and Gareth Gates have also made the No. 1 spot in the UK.

The song is also known for being one of the top one-hit wonders of all time.[6]

Original version by Norman Greenbaum

"Spirit in the Sky" makes several religious references to Jesus, although Greenbaum himself is Jewish. In a 2006 interview with The New York Times, Greenbaum told a reporter he was inspired to write the song after watching Porter Wagoner singing a gospel song on TV. Greenbaum said: "I thought, 'Yeah, I could do that,' knowing nothing about gospel music, so I sat down and wrote my own gospel song. It came easy. I wrote the words in 15 minutes."[2] The song is in the Key of A. The drumming rhythm In the first verse is not in synch with the other instruments, but synchs up in the second verse.

Greenbaum had previously been a member of psychedelic jug band Dr. West's Medicine Show and Junk Band. When they split up he won a solo contract with producer Erik Jacobsen for Reprise Records. Jacobsen had previously worked with The Lovin' Spoonful and the song was included on Greenbaum's first solo album. The song's arrangement came together in the studio in San Francisco where lead guitarist Russell DaShiell, bass player Doug Killmer from the band Crowfoot and drummer Norman Mayell from the band Sopwith Camel[7] worked with Greenbaum. According to The New York Times article, Greenbaum used a Fender Telecaster guitar with a fuzz box built into the body to generate the song's characteristic guitar sound.[2]

The resulting sound was an "oddly compelling" combination of gospel and hard rock music,[2] with loud drums, distorted electric guitar, clapping hands, and tambourines. The production team brought in the Stovall Sisters, an Oakland-based gospel trio, to sing backing vocals.[2] Because of the song's length and lyrics, the record company was initially reluctant to issue it, but it was finally released as a single after two other singles from the album had poor sales.[2] "Spirit in the Sky" became a worldwide hit, and was at the time the best-selling single ever for the Reprise label.[2]

There is a music video with Greenbaum singing the song.[8]

About the song, Greenbaum has been quoted as saying, "It sounds as fresh today as when it was recorded. I've gotten letters from funeral directors telling me that it's their second-most-requested song to play at memorial services, next to 'Danny Boy'."[9]

The song was featured in the soundtrack to the 2013 film This is the End and was included in the soundtrack for the 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy.

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[30] Gold 400,000double-dagger
United States (RIAA)[31] Gold 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Doctor and the Medics version

"Spirit in the Sky"
File:Doctor and the Medics - Spirit in the Sky.jpg
Single by Doctor and the Medics
from the album Laughing at the Pieces
B-side"Laughing at the Pieces"
ReleasedApril 28, 1986 (1986-04-28)[32]
Genre
Length3:28
Songwriter(s)Norman Greenbaum
Producer(s)Craig Leon assisted by Cassell Webb
Doctor and the Medics singles chronology
"The Miracle of the Age"
(1985) 		"Spirit in the Sky"
(1986) 		"Burn"
(1986)

In June 1986, Doctor and the Medics reached No. 1 in the UK singles chart with their version of the song,[35] where it spent three weeks at the top, while the same year punk band Fuzzbox released their own less successful version. In New Zealand, the song reached No. 2 on the RIANZ Singles Chart, while in Canada, it peaked at No. 1 for a week and was the fifth-highest-selling single of 1986. The song has been certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) and platinum by the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA).

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1986) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[36] 3
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[37] 1
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[38] 29
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[39] 1
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[40] 15
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[41] 2
Ireland (IRMA)[42] 1
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[43] 2
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 16
UK Singles (OCC)[45] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[46] 69
US Hot Dance Club Play (Billboard)[46] 27
West Germany (Official German Charts)[47] 9

Year-end charts

Chart (1986) Position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[48] 16
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[49] 5
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[50] 59
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[51] 48
UK Singles (OCC)[52] 15
West Germany (Official German Charts)[53] 60

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[54] Platinum 100,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[55] Silver 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Gareth Gates (with the Kumars) version

"Spirit in the Sky"
File:Gareth Gates - Spirit in the Sky.jpg
Single by Gareth Gates with the Kumars
from the album Go Your Own Way
B-side
ReleasedMarch 10, 2003 (2003-03-10)[56]
Recorded2003
Length3:29
Label
Songwriter(s)Norman Greenbaum
Producer(s)Steve Mac
Gareth Gates singles chronology
"What My Heart Wants to Say"
(2002) 		"Spirit in the Sky"
(2003) 		"Sunshine"
(2003)

"Spirit in the Sky" served as the first single from Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates' second studio album, Go Your Own Way. The single was released on March 14, 2003, and was the official Comic Relief charity single for 2003. The song features guest vocals from the Kumars. The song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Gates' fourth number-one single.[57] Gates' version has been certified platinum by BPI in the UK.

Track listing

UK CD1[58]

  1. "Spirit in the Sky" (with the Kumars)
  2. "Dance Again"
  3. "Spirit in the Sky"
  4. "Spirit in the Sky" (video)

UK CD2[59]

  1. "Spirit in the Sky" (with the Kumars)
  2. "Will You Wait for Me?"
  3. Interview with Gareth Gates

UK cassette single[60]

  1. "Spirit in the Sky" (with the Kumars)
  2. "Dance Again"
  3. "Will You Wait for Me?"

UK DVD single[61]

  1. "Spirit in the Sky" (video)
  2. Making of "Spirit in the Sky" (video)
  3. "Dance Again" (video)
  4. Interview with the Kumars (video)

Charts

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Platinum 600,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Other versions

A version by Dorothy Combs Morrison reached No. 99 on Billboard's Hot 100 in October 1970,[79] and No. 47 in Canada during November of that same year.[80]

Nina Hagen recorded two versions of the song, one in English and one in German. Each was released in 1985 on the same language version of her album Nina Hagen in Ekstasy. Both were also released as singles.[citation needed]

In 2013, Rolling Stones bassist Bill Wyman revealed that he recorded a demo of the song in November 1985 and had sent it to a film company for the prospective use in a new film. The demo cassette was not returned and Doctor and the Medics' version was released in June of the following year.[81]

Canadian rock musician Sam Roberts released a version of the song as part of his 2015 EP Counting the Days.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ Leeuwis, Jermy. "Jason Mraz – Spirit In The Sky". MusicRemedy. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved June 24, 2013. "Jason Mraz's new song is a bluesy, gospel-influenced version of Norman Greenbaum's 1970 psychedelic rock anthem 'Spirit in the Sky.'"
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i McNichol, Tom (December 24, 2006). "A 'Spirit' From the '60s That Won't Die". The New York Times. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  3. ^ Unterberger, Richie. "Spirit in the Sky on Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 24, 2013. "The handclaps and riffs ... simmered down a little to allow Greenbaum to sing a tune which really did sound like a genuine gospel song ..."
  4. ^ "Spirit In The Sky by Norman Greenbaum | Billboard The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  5. ^ Billboard Year-End Hot 100 singles of 1970
  6. ^ Greene, Andy (May 4, 2011). "Poll: Top 10 One-Hit Wonders". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Goldberg, Michael (September 10, 1987). "Sopwith Camel: Where Are They Now?". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 5, 2018.
  8. ^ Video on YouTube
  9. ^ "Christian Order - Read - Editorials - February 2011". Christianorder.com. Retrieved July 18, 2013.
  10. ^ "Australia n°1 Hits - 70's". Worldcharts.co.uk. Archived from the original on April 24, 2014. Retrieved June 10, 2013.
  11. ^ "Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  12. ^ "Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  13. ^ "Spirit in the sky in Canadian Singles Chart". Library and Archives Canada. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  14. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Spirit In The Sky". Irish Singles Chart.
  15. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Norman Greenbaum" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  16. ^ "Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  17. ^ "Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky". VG-lista.
  18. ^ "Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky". Swiss Singles Chart.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  20. ^ "Norman Greenbaum Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  21. ^ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles, May 9, 1970". Archived from the original on June 8, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  22. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Norman Greenbaum – Spirit In The Sky". GfK Entertainment charts. To see peak chart position, click "TITEL VON Norman Greenbaum"
  23. ^ "Norman Greenbaum Chart History (Canadian Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  24. ^ "Norman Greenbaum Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved July 16, 2022.
  25. ^ "Norman Greenbaum Chart History (Hot Rock & Alternative Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved April 13, 2021.
  26. ^ David Kent's "Australian Chart Book 1970-1992" Archived March 5, 2016, at the Wayback Machine
  27. ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. July 17, 2013.
  28. ^ "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved October 2, 2016.
  29. ^ "Cash Box Year-End Charts: Top 100 Pop Singles, December 26, 1970". Archived from the original on July 22, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
  30. ^ "British single certifications – Norman Greenbaum – Spirit in the Sky". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 28, 2021.
  31. ^ "American single certifications – Norman Greenbaum – Spirit in the Sky". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  32. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. April 26, 1986. p. 21.
  33. ^ Mills, Ted. "Laughing at the Pieces review on Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  34. ^ Sutton, Michael. "Doctor & the Medics biography on Allmusic". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved June 24, 2013. "new wave remake of Norman Greenbaum's 'Spirit in the Sky'"
  35. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 | Official Charts Company". Official Charts.
  36. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970-1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  37. ^ "Doctor & The Medics – Spirit in the Sky" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  38. ^ "Doctor & The Medics – Spirit in the Sky" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  39. ^ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 0740." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  40. ^ "European Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 30/31. August 2, 1986. p. 12.
  41. ^ "Top 3 in Europe". Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 30/31. August 2, 1986. p. 14.
  42. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Spirit in the Sky". Irish Singles Chart.
  43. ^ "Doctor & The Medics – Spirit in the Sky". Top 40 Singles.
  44. ^ "Doctor & The Medics – Spirit in the Sky". Singles Top 100.
  45. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  46. ^ a b "Doctor & the Medics awards on Allmusic". Allmusic. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  47. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – Doctor & The Medics – Spirit in the Sky". GfK Entertainment charts.
  48. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 1986" (in German). Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  49. ^ "Top 100 Singles of '86". RPM. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  50. ^ "Hot 100 of the Year 1986". Music & Media. Vol. 3, no. 51/52page=29. December 27, 1986.
  51. ^ "End of Year Charts 1986". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  52. ^ "Top 100 Singles". Music Week. January 24, 1987. p. 24.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1986" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  54. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Doctor and the Medics – Spirit in the Sky". Music Canada. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  55. ^ "British single certifications – Doctor & the Medics – Spirit in the Sky". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved June 23, 2022.
  56. ^ "New Releases – For Week Starting 10 March 2003: Singles". Music Week. March 8, 2003. p. 21.
  57. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  58. ^ Spirit in the Sky (UK CD1 liner notes). Gareth Gates, the Kumars. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2003. 82876 51119 2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  59. ^ Spirit in the Sky (UK CD2 liner notes). Gareth Gates, the Kumars. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2003. 82876 511202.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  60. ^ Spirit in the Sky (UK cassette single sleeve). Gareth Gates, the Kumars. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2003. 82876 511194.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  61. ^ Spirit in the Sky (UK DVD single liner notes). Gareth Gates, the Kumars. 19 Recordings, S Records, RCA Records, BMG. 2003. 82876 50838 9.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  62. ^ "Gareth Gates with the Kumars – Spirit in the Sky" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  63. ^ "Gareth Gates with the Kumars – Spirit in the Sky" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  64. ^ "Gareth Gates with the Kumars – Spirit in the Sky" (in French). Ultratip.
  65. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles". Music & Media. Vol. 21, no. 15. April 5, 2003. p. 13.
  66. ^ "Gareth Gates with the Kumars – Spirit in the Sky" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  67. ^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  68. ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Spirit in the Sky". Irish Singles Chart.
  69. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 43, 2003" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40.
  70. ^ "Gareth Gates with the Kumars – Spirit in the Sky" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  71. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  72. ^ "Gareth Gates with the Kumars – Spirit in the Sky". Swiss Singles Chart.
  73. ^ "Jahreshitparade Singles 2003" (in German). Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  74. ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 2003" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  75. ^ "Top 100 Songs of 2003". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. 2003. Archived from the original on June 2, 2004. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  76. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 2003" (in Dutch). MegaCharts. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  77. ^ "The Official UK Singles Chart 2003" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  78. ^ "British single certifications – Gareth Gates – Spirit in the Sky". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  79. ^ "The Hot 100 Chart". Billboard.
  80. ^ title RPM Magazine
  81. ^ Bill Wyman (2013) Bill Wyman's scrapbook. Accompanying audio CD.
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