Someone, quick, without looking it up, name ANOTHER song by Greenbaum. Can’t do it, can ya? lol Neither can I.
Greenbaum is Jew. It’s not a Christian song … according to him. From wiki;
—————-
Norman Greenbaum: If you ask me what I based “Spirit In The Sky” on … what did we grow up watching? Westerns! These mean and nasty varmints get shot and they wanted to die with their boots on. So to me that was spiritual, they wanted to die with their boots on.
Ray Shasho: So that was the trigger that got you to write the song?
Norman Greenbaum: Yes. The song itself was simple, when you’re writing a song you keep it simple of course. It wasn’t like a Christian song of praise it was just a simple song. I had to use Christianity because I had to use something. But more important it wasn’t the Jesus part, it was the spirit in the sky. Funny enough… I wanted to die with my boots on.
“Most everyone else sees the song as timeless. It appeals to one’s inner self and the need for redemption, plus, heck, who wants to go to hell?
——– Greenbaum, Mojo Magazine, 2011
“I’m just some Jewish musician who really dug Gospel music. I decided there was a larger Jesus Gospel market out there than a Jehovah one.”
——– Greenbaum, Rolling Stone
El Coyote
April 20, 2014 3:19 pm
Norman looks high, he’s having a good time. Praising God id the ultimate drug. It’s free and undetectable in any drug test.
One of the TRULY great songs of 1969.
Someone, quick, without looking it up, name ANOTHER song by Greenbaum. Can’t do it, can ya? lol Neither can I.
Greenbaum is Jew. It’s not a Christian song … according to him. From wiki;
—————-
Norman Greenbaum: If you ask me what I based “Spirit In The Sky” on … what did we grow up watching? Westerns! These mean and nasty varmints get shot and they wanted to die with their boots on. So to me that was spiritual, they wanted to die with their boots on.
Ray Shasho: So that was the trigger that got you to write the song?
Norman Greenbaum: Yes. The song itself was simple, when you’re writing a song you keep it simple of course. It wasn’t like a Christian song of praise it was just a simple song. I had to use Christianity because I had to use something. But more important it wasn’t the Jesus part, it was the spirit in the sky. Funny enough… I wanted to die with my boots on.
Rare original footage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aZsF7v0pNw&feature=player_detailpage
His other hit.
Greenbaum, in 1966, under the name Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band, recorded the novelty hit “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=b-Lc0Lra9cI&list=PL98CF636D1C9CAC11
“Most everyone else sees the song as timeless. It appeals to one’s inner self and the need for redemption, plus, heck, who wants to go to hell?
——– Greenbaum, Mojo Magazine, 2011
“I’m just some Jewish musician who really dug Gospel music. I decided there was a larger Jesus Gospel market out there than a Jehovah one.”
——– Greenbaum, Rolling Stone
Norman looks high, he’s having a good time. Praising God id the ultimate drug. It’s free and undetectable in any drug test.