What makes Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum notable?

The album features the iconic title track, which became a massive hit, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Its blend of rock and spiritual themes left a lasting impact on subsequent artists within both the rock and gospel genres, influencing the use of religious imagery in popular music. Released in 1969, 'Spirit in the Sky' was Norman Greenbaum's debut album, following his shift from a folk background to a more rock-oriented sound. This album marked the beginning of his commercial success, largely propelled by the title track's popularity.

How many songs are on Spirit in the Sky?

Spirit in the Sky has 17 tracks, running approximately 50 minutes.

Spirit in the Sky

Norman Greenbaum · 1969

50 min · 17 tracks · rock music

A fusion of catchy rock melodies and gospel-infused themes, echoing the spirit of late 60s counterculture.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Spirit in the Sky — This track embodies the album's essence with its infectious hooks and spiritual lyrics, becoming a defining anthem of the era.
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Junior Cadillac — With its driving rhythm and playful lyrics, this song captures the carefree spirit of youth and adventure, a hallmark of Greenbaum's style.
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Good Lookin' Woman — This track showcases Greenbaum's knack for blending humor with engaging rock melodies, reflecting his unique lyrical approach.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

50 /100

Foothills

Higher than 23% of albums we've rated

The album blends rock and gospel influences effectively, though its impact is mostly tied to the title track.

What we noticed

The title track features a prominent, repetitive guitar riff that anchors the song, while gospel-style backing vocals create a spiritual atmosphere.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Junior Cadillac 3:37
2 Spirit in the Sky 4:02
3 Skyline 3:13
4 Jubilee 3:00
5 Alice Bodine 3:42
6 Tars of India 3:05
7 The Power 2:38
8 Good Lookin' Woman 4:16
9 Milk Cow 3:04
10 Marcy 3:16
11 School for Sweet Talk 2:56
12 Children of Paradise 2:11
13 Canned Ham 2:53
14 Save Me for a Rainy Day 2:47
15 Chocolate Milk 1:57
16 Spirit in the Sky (demo) 3:02
17 Norman Greenbaum Radio Promo 0:52

What to play next

Listen next

Petaluma

1972

Go back to

Back Home Again

Full Norman Greenbaum discography Artists like Norman Greenbaum

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Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata