Story behind the Greatest Classic Rock One Hit Wonder of The 1970s | Professor of Rock
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- Story of 1970 Hit: Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum:
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Norman Greenbaum and the off the wall story of creating Spirit in the Sky the greatest one hit wonder of the 70s! He once wrote a song about warning the people of Chicago about a “monster eggplant" that was going to eat their city, He also became a goat farmer. The fascinating story of rock n’ roll non-fiction. NEXT on Professor of Rock.
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Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 70s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
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It’s time for another for another edition of our series Bottled Lightening where we break down the history of a beloved one hit wonder that still resonates in our culture E.B. White, the acclaimed writer of such literary standards as Charlotte’s Web & The Trumpet of the Swan, once encouraged readers to- “always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” I love the spirit of that quote, because... as an insatiable music fanatic, I am constantly amazed by the wonderment of how a song can put a ’Svengali hold’ on your body & soul. That emotional effect is most fascinating in the phenomenon of the so-called ‘one hit wonder.’ Or bottled lightening as we call it.
The general definition of a “one hit wonder” is a musical artist who is successful in the public arena with one hit song, without producing a comparable subsequent hit. No phrase riles up an artist more than being called a “one hit wonder,” mainly because it implies that the rest of their work is meaningless, just because the music didn’t yield commercial success.
For me, the concept of a “one hit wonder,” is a very intriguing mystery, that will never be solved. How can you explain the reasons why an artist can create a song that becomes a monster smash, and then never be able to do it again. Even when the artist follows the same formula, has the same talent, and applies the same musical process. It is not logical… It’s certainly not scientific, or predictable… but there are countess examples of those kind of 'flairs of fame' throughout recorded music history.
One of the most interesting stories of this phenomenon” is the tale of Norman Greenbaum, who created the everlasting classic “Spirit in the Sky.” Norman Greenbaum is a lovable paradox:
He was raised in a nearly Orthodox Jewish family, and wrote a song about Jesus. He was a folk singer, who abandoned an acoustic guitar, and turned to a psychedelic fuzz box to make 'lighting in a bottle.'
Instead of riding the wave of fame by living a rock and roll lifestyle, Norman became a goat farmer while his single dominated the music charts around the world. Greenbaum loved southern blues and folk music that was popular in the 50s and 60s. As a boy, he enjoyed listening to nighttime AM broadcasts of the Grand Ol’ Opry, which included country flavored gospel tunes. When he graduated from high school, Norman performed in coffeehouses around the Boston area, before dropping out of Boston University, and moving to LA in ’65.
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Got it
Ordered his CD in 1999. Order was late. Phone rang, it was Norman himself explaining how he was out of town and autographed CD would be there in two days. Spoke for a half hour. Kind man. God Bless
Wow!
How cool is that?
Awesome
Great story! Thank you for sharing.
Now, THAT is a FANTASTIC story!!!!! Lucky You!!! 💚. Thanks for sharing with all of us!!!! 🧚🏼🙏☁️
I choked when I saw this title & INSTANTLY knew it was this song!
I heard this literally my entire life! My mom actually blew out speakers to this!
Promised we would play this at her funeral .. we did.
RIP Mom!
She asked for an epic song.. smart woman. My condolences. 🥀
Truth
God bless you and your mother.💪
God bless you and your mom!
@@XaviClot thank you! It was actually very befitting & very comforting for the family.
Norman Greenbaum's mom lived in the upper flat of our house in Malden, Mass when I was a teenager. I remember coming home from college one year in the summer and heard Spirit in the Sky playing from our house. It turned out his mom had been sent a copy of the record and was playing it so loud that all the neighbors heard it. She told me that one of the local radio stations broadcast that his Mom lived in Malden. Fans got hold of her phone number and she was deluged with calls (mostly from teenage girls). I've always had a place in my heart for Spirit in the Sky because of the association with Mrs. Greenbaum (the name we called her).
Haha I stayed in Malden when visiting Boston this year. I'd never have known where you were talking about if I hadn't
So cool
That’s awesome!
What an awesome connection to a classic rock hit!
Wow!!!
I love hearing things like this.
We went to the Old Crow Medicine Show concert in Santa Rosa, CA. this past July, and they sang Spirit in the Sky, and Norman was there!!! Sweet night. Glad he is still getting the recognition and love he deserves.
My husband loved this song &as his cancer progress, he listened to it every day. He always had tears in his eyes, l can't listen to it without seeing him like that
I wish l could go back to when he was alive
he isnt dead...he is with the spirit in the sky waiting on you to join him.....but we sure do miss them bad when they get to go before us.
@@gunzmith29r that's because we, still here on Earth are selfish, we miss them so much. If we truly knew what awaits us, we would understand.
@Gordon Stroup and you of course know what awaits us? No one else knows, but you know? And at the same time you don't know better than to call a person who misses someone "selfish" ? Take your nonsense somewhere else
I know your support and love sustained him more than even this song. Be proud that you were a blessing in his life, and be grateful for the time you shared here. His tears are dry and he is whole again, and he is waiting to see you, in the place that's the best. ♥
I am sorry for your loss. I know it is hard at times. I lost both of my parents and other close people in my life. They want us to go forward in life and enjoy what we can.
Sang this to my Mom while she lay dying in 2001 from leukemia. I knew she was already going to the spirit in the sky. Loved my mom and this song, it remains my all time favorite. Thank you and Norman ❤️
We just played this at my sister's funeral this week. It was so wonderful when the young nieces and nephews sang along with it. Sis would have absolutely loved that !
my kids know this is what i played at my funeral too
That’s beautiful
Wow nice
@@fvrrljr... YOU.. played this at YOUR funeral ... ALREADY?
@@chas.fournet1087 JES 👍 still kicking bro. i see that grammarly i missed a word "want" or can play The Stripper 😆
I’m a deaf bassist and I’ve loved this song since I was a teenager in the 70’s. Later on when I was in my 40’s I learned to play bass and this song was one of the first ones I wanted to play. Still playing it now in my 60’s. I’m growing old but this song never will.
My dad introduced me to so much great music but "Spirit in the Sky" has always been a favorite. Dad could sing but he rarely would. He made an exception for this song and I have great memories of the two of us belting out this tune. Dad recently passed away so those memories and "Spirit in the Sky" are even more special to me now❤
My condolences to you on your father's passing; it's really nice that you have such nice memories of him...
I'm sincerely sorry that your dad is no longer physically there with you - to belt out " Spirit In The Sky " with you.
If I were of a less secular and more poetic nature I'd venture to write a song about how your great memories of him are his spirit visiting you from the sky to sing with you again and again... and in doing so softening or maybe even disappearing your pain at the loss of his physical
presence.
Some songs will always gladden or heal ( or both ) - hearts that hurt for the loss of a loved one.
" Spirit In The Sky " - and
" My Sweet Lord " - by George Harrison - are in my opinion as a person having ever - aspired to be remembered as - ( at least ) - a
" one- song-wonder " -
myself - two of the best songs that do just that.
The first song I danced to. In 1973.
My neighbor had a parrot who loved this song that's how you know s a good one
@@alanjones8358 CCR Suzie Q, was a hit as well.
My Mom, Ill always remember this song because of AM radio riding around in the backseat of my moms Chevelle with her singing along. The 70's were a pretty good time to be a kid.
The 70's was a pretty good time to be a young adult, too. 😁❤
You're right about that.
And a teenager!
Wow, I have similar memories from the 60's (I was born in '58) cruising in my Mother's Mustang Convertible belting out AM top 40 songs at the top of our lungs. For me the 70's was a great time to be a teenager.
I can really relate Mike only my Mom had a big block 69 GTO with an 8 track many great memories taking trips from LA to Blackfoot to visit her sister and songs like this and CSNY so far album uplifting music that sticks to your ribs. Kids today are unbelievably deprived
I was in VIETNAM, when Spirit in Sky was first released. After 51 years I still get chills allover me when I hear the song. I love this song.
Thank You Mr. Norman Greenbaum. Way Cool..
👍 I also brother thank you for your service.
Thank you for your service! 💖
Star Key, thanks for your service, I know lots of folk who were in Nam too, I appreciate you all
Thank you for your service Sir!
Thank you, Sir!
I am here in Australia and I am 73. First time I heard Spirit, I was 21. I felt it was one of the best...and I still do.
My father,; Walter O'Leary : spent 9 months in Brisbane in 1942 ; U.S.Army Air Corps . Then onto Port Moresby for the balance of W.W. II !
"Spirit In The Sky" is a bonafide classic-Never get tired of it!
Agree 100%. Thank you for watching!
I appreciate your need for income, but I subscribed to learn and remember. Too many commercials already. First 1, then 2… Next week 3?
Somebody has to pay for your free entertainment.
@@jen_alanfromchicago53 Nope. It won’t be my free entertainment. I unsubscribed.
Tell me, Oh Smart One…. How many commercials would be ‘too many’?
I can't say, they don't bother me. I usually read comments during commercials so as not to be distracted during the episode. Skip button appears after 5sec. so have you tried that?
My mom LOVED this song! She always said that she wanted it played at her funeral. Sadly she passed away on 11-11-2002 and it was one of 3 songs we played for her as she requested (the other 2 being Elvis songs...she LOVED her some Elvis!). Nearly 20 years later, when this song comes on the radio, I know she's with me and it makes me smile!!! Thank you for this wonderful look at a great classic tune!!! It truly is ⚡"BOTTLED LIGHTNING"⚡!!!
My mom was older when she had me, she was from the hippie generation ran off during the whole chaos that was going on during that time and met her first husband who was a drug addict and etc, most people dont know that about my mom that she did do drugs when she was youunger and then cleaned up her act and was in the Air Force for a while. She died at a relatively young age as well sadly.
I'm sorry for your loss, but your mother must have been a wonderful woman. I don't know if you believe in numerology, but the date 11-11-2002 are phenomenally important. And Spirt in the Sky to be played at her funeral? She has ascended. No doubt in my mind.
It's on my list at my going away event...I want everyone up and clapping
@@mjzacchea2888 WOW...Thank you so much! Yes...my Mom was the best!!! Numerology and Astrology are very interesting...so I know she is watching from "up above"! Being that she was a Leo...there's no doubt my "ferocious" mama was gonna go anywhere else...LOL!!!
@@donnerdonner315 yes Truth! She ascended. Do not let your heart be troubled. Love and Light to you and yours, fellow pilgrim
Coming from a guy that was born in the late 70’s, I missed out on the mid 60’s rock era. I was still very much influenced by 60’s and 70’s rock as I was growing up though. Man, they don’t make that music like they use to. It was so raw with so much melody and soul!
I just played Spirit in the Sky at a wedding. I adore this song, but I’d never played it as a wedding DJ. But, someone came up and requested the song and I thought I’d give it a shot. The dance floor was suddenly PACKED.
Some of the is due to scarcity. Some to nostalgia. Some to genius.
I still LOVE "Spirit in the sky"...everytime it plays I turn the volume up.
Great story! I always loved that song. As a child of the 70's I miss those days of radio and records. It was an enormously musically creative time.
1970's....best decade in my opinion...at least in western massachusetts ! !
You can’t hear this song without being moved. To call it “timeless” would be a massive understatement ❤️
In 1970, with my parents permission, I joined the Columbia Record Club and the first Album they sent me was "Spirit in the Sky" I loved it. The sound was so unique. I still have it.
How much do you still owe Columbia House?
My saying: "You can make fun of a one-hit wonder, but he's got one more than you."
i love one hit wonders....they are usually awesome songs
Very true. I love one hit wonders. More important is if they get to live comfortably off the hit, then continue to contribute, whether in music or another endeavor.
I love one hit wonder
It's like making fun of someone for only winning the lottery once.
@@gunslinger2566 Damn right! :-)
I used to work in a restaurant in Sonoma County, CA, and Norman was a regular. Super nice guy. His album "Petaluma" is named after the town I was born in. He told me if I ever found a copy, he'd sign it for me.
I'm a native Petaluman!!!!!!
Sweet!
My mom always loved this song. She passed in 2019. Now when I hear this song, I of course think of her. And I cry. Music has the power to move so much. And this is one of those songs.
The absolute best song ever. Even while driving and it comes on the radio, it makes you want to pull over, get out and dance. Never ever tire of this One Hit Wonder.
The Professor of Rock really does rock. What a great job transporting us to through the glorious music of our lives. Thanks
Tiffany an Debbie Gibson are NOT Rock!!!!!!!
Professor of Pop
@@michaelsalisbury1477 even pop artists like that have ties to studio musicians, songwriters, producers, etc that have major/important roles in other bands and musicians history. As "the Professor of Rock", Adam does an incredible job and has brought so much info and tidbits for us to learn. I wouldn't want to watch anybody else do these vids. But yeah, those poppy hits mattered to the history of music, whether you or I like them or not.
Agree POR is a professor for real. Learn so much here. Casey would be proud.
As a former radio DJ, I think another reason it hit so big is that it was timed perfectly. The Jesus Movement had started in the late 60s in California and soon, everyone was releasing "God Rock" songs. Norman's tune was not only had an awesome groove and sound, but came out at the beginning of that wave.
And helped that wave to grow...
The first moment I heard this song I loved it. I never get sick of hearing it. OHWs are some of the best songs you will ever hear in your life. When they nail it, it's done.
Yes, same with song,”Betty Davis Eyes”.
@@riogarrideli2451 Yeah. The original BDE is pretty-forgettable, but the cover was MADE by the synth riff.
There's a vid on here of Norman singing it at a festival in San Fran 3 years ago. He's still out there and sounded great. God bless him.
@Sheerkat7,
SUPAH! 🙏😇✨💫💖🙌😺
It’s an enduring favorite because it makes people happy.
That’s a worthwhile accomplishment,
i am a 70 year old guy living in the Philippines and watching this and giving me all my old memeories of this great song and I enjoy watching all your videos you have a very good understanding of Rock n Roll and you also are great at telling the story behind the songs and musicians.............Thank You for not getting more bored over here
"One hit wonder" is infinitely better than no success ever. Especially when that one hit is something as amazing and enduring as this song is.
'Better to be a 'has-been' than a 'never-was'.
@@terencejay8845 This is true.
I couldn't agree more with you if I tried! People who have contributed with one fantastic, classic novel, or one invention that massively contributed to the betterment of people's lives are never belittled with condescending terms like "one hit wonders". The composers of these one hit wonders that have transcended generations made their lasting mark on pop/rock music history. I'm sure the money trickling into the bank account decade after decade makes it easier to take the sulky, petty jabs from the "never was, couldn't be" critics. I had never heard "Spirit in the sky" before Dr. and the Medics covered it, but I was hooked a few lines in. I still can't hear that song without getting a major boost to my mood and energy level. I have no idea how many hours I have spent exercising and dancing to this song over the years. It's fantastic!
@@Kari.F. Jona Lewie released 'Stop The Cavalry' in 1978 in the UK. Because it's seen as a Christmas song, every year it gets masses of air-play. I would think he's made a very comfortable living off that one song. (He also did 'Kitchen at Parties', which is one of my favourites).
In the film 'About a Boy', the Hugh Grant character lives off the royalties from his father's hit Christmas song.
My attitude too. One big hit is more than most musicians will ever have. Appreciate it if it happens.
I'm also reminded of John McCrae, whose poem "In Flanders Fields" is perhaps one of the finest poems ever written, and will probably still be read a thousand years from now (if humanity lasts that long). I've seen his other poems, and calling them mediocre would be a compliment. But he hit one out of the park - and that may be a greater accomplishment than many of his otherwise better accomplished contemporaries ever achieved.
I've always loved this song, since I was a kid...Now that I'm older and born again, I love it even more. When I used to go to the clubs, they would play it as a rock song and everyone would get up and dance...
I'm 74 and when my wife and I are in the car and "Spirit in the Sky" comes on the radio, we open the windows and "crank up the radio". You are absolutely right, "Spirit in the Sky" should be in all hymnals. Thank you, Norman.
Haha it’s that sort of song
It can't be because it's an actual good song
As far as in a hymnal, some of the lyrics don’t really line up with most Christian doctrine, even though it mentions Jesus.
It’s almost like a parody, maybe like he was high and listening to a gospel song and was poking fun at it
@@skirk248 There are some fantastic hymns… the problem is that they’re normally played and sung poorly. I’ve heard songs taken straight out of a hymnal and performed by good musicians that will make you cry, they sound so good.
Good for you both. Never too old to rock.
It was number 1 when my mum turned 21 and it is her all time favourite song. I’ve heard it so many times in my life and it never gets old. And I love the story that he’s comfortable with being known as a one hit wonder - if your one hit is that utter magic, you don’t need to worry about anything else.
The first time I heard this song was the Dr. And the Medics version. My dad heard it and said "Oh! That's a remake of a Norman Greenbaum song!" And then the first time I heard the original and that gritty, fuzzy guitar hook, it grabbed me like nothing else. Still one of my favorites some 35 years later.
First time I ever heard the song was in the Republic of Viet Nam, just after a firefight at khe Sanh.
We all figured we would be meeting the "SPIRIT IN THE SKY" pretty soon, was one of our favorite songs!
@@trinity0844 hey Michael Thank you for your service and risking everything.
An Australian band Cold Chisel has a great song called Khe Shan . Great song and a great band . Also another Aussie band Red Gum ( named after a tree) their song Only 19 is about a viet vet . My uncle survived too but my older brother is in care because of the trauma. Take care and enjoy
One of best songs
I had always thought that sound came from an overlooked, hard plastic pick, woven through the strings at the sound box end! Probably not, but that's what it reminds me of.
😄🎼🎸🎶🎷😉
All this incredible magic in the 70’s, 80’s and even some of the 90’s. Where has all that magic gone nowadays?
'Where Have All The Good Times Gone'
( VH )
@@TS-wh4ey It’s like musical IQ has dropped significantly. (And maybe everywhere else, too.) It’s sad.
@@PianoMan-hx3ev
I was a teenager in the 70s. It was all about muscle cars equipped with 8track players and those powered up 6 by 9 speakers blasting away all the latest great rock music that kept coming week after week. Going to concerts to see your favorite bands and outdoor parties like the movie Dazed And Confused.
All I need now is a time machine and a ticket to ride. They can transport me back to the front seat of my 427 and leave me right there. 😄
@@TS-wh4ey I was a baby and little kid at the time, but I somehow remember much of then80’s too. I’m with you in that time machine!! 👍
Consider the artistic accomplishments of the ancients... also gone from the world. As society declines, we lose great art.
I was nine years old when this song hit the airwaves for the first time, and I was an instant fan. To this day, 51 years later, every time it plays on the radio, I crank it up as loud as I can stand it and just rock out and sing at the top of my lungs. Probably my all time favorite song of all genres.
I was 10 when I did my rhythmic gymnastics routine to this song! Great memories!
Same!
I'm sorry for your condition Ramon 😥
🤣😂🤣
Me too!! My sister and I played it over and over on our portable record player in an orange box!
@@wendylm4770 omg I got that orange record player for Christmas! Lol! Those were the days! I listened to the top 40 countdown on a floor model tube radio from the 40’s!
When my friend passed away from cancer, he had already planned his funeral. Sitting in the church Spirit In The Sky started playing, and it took my breath away. Deep inside I felt the greatest joy. Another one he picked out that touched me deeply, and it was like Dennis was Lynyrd Skynyrd Simple Man. He was not a materialistic person. It was so touching, because it was definitely Dennis. Rest In Peace, Dennis. You are truly loved and missed!! ❤️🌹❤️
I have this song to wake up every day, because it gives me power to start the day. It's ma absolute favorite song and i can understand the chose of this song.
Youre Friend rest in Peace❤
The first time I heard the song was a moment when I really needed to hear the song. I cried and I'm still here to say so.
Thank you Norman.
I live off of the street Norman had his accident on. I was on my boat that day at our local lake listening to spirit in the sky the day he was in the accident. Was so glad he survived. One of my favorite tunes. Thank you Norman!
Spirit In The Sky came out when I was ten years old and I fell immediately in love with the song !
I tell my kids all the time, that my generation has produced a lot of the best music ever. There have been so many great bands.
Spirit In The Sky has remained one of my all time favorite songs.
Every time I here it, it reminds me of a much simpler time, when I was a carefree kid, who knew that when he dies, he's going to go up to the spirit in the sky ! ❤
My kids are 80's kids and they actually love classics from my era most of the time even more than the music from their own era. Cuz it was just GOOD.
We were running late to a funeral for a dear friend when this song came on the radio. It fit him and his legacy that now whenever we hear this song we always think of Jim.
Love your videos.
Love this song. That fuzz box makes this song eternally iconic!
I play this song back to back with going up the country. The two songs always jived together for me.
I've loved this jam forever and I'm ecstatic to know that Norman is still earning money from this great song!
It’s a huge one hit wonder still sung by millions today and loved by millions
73 years old, still rockin' to this hit.
Class of 66 ✊✊🏼✊🏿
Rock on!!
Way Cool!!! 70 yrs old here.✌
@@peacedove9513 Me too class of 66.
Me too and I still LOVE this song.
Wow. I was a Senior in high school when Norman had his hit. Was instantly captivated by that distorted guitar and the feedback echo repeats. I learned more about this song and the artist from your video than in all the previous decades. Thank you. I really enjoyed your extremely well-written presentation.
I love this song! I was 15 in 1969 and grew up with so much awesome music, Spirit in the Sky was and still is an amazing song!
Me too!! Such rich music we had to enjoy then!!
When this song came out I was attending University of California, Irvine. One of my biology professors was named Dr. Greenbaum. At the start of one of my classes in large lecture hall he played this song loudly. Afterward he stated never forget I am the spirit in the sky and I see all that all of you do. It is a great memory that stays with me to this day.
Wow I wish I was around in the 60s,70s,80s or early90s in college seems it was good time. Born in the wrong generation Millennial
I don't give a damn that this was a "one hit wonder." When it's this good, it blows other stuff out of the water. This will be as fresh in a hundred years as it was the day it dropped.
Why do we associate “One Hit Wonder” as a negative. I have never heard or read 1 bad comment when recalling those hits. Just a lot of love and wonder, I guess they made us feel that we too had a chance to shine . 1 moment of brilliance remembered for all time
@@francescopelle2347 The term always reflects back on the reviewer.
Think about it.
One hit wonders are just that never are they negative! But more a wonder because that's all it took for them to become an instant icon, its actually brilliant write one song & live the rest of your life from it.
Absolutely correct it is so badass It will continue to have the same affect on anybody who listens to it for the first time even 50 years from now it’s just too catchy the lyrics are beautiful
@Rob Mintz Hey hey hey...
My husband, Michael died at just thirty in 1999 yet chose this song for his funeral. Every rime my daughter and I hear it we say, 'Hi Mike/Dad!"
There is truly something magical about the quality of that fuzzbox that makes the song come off sounding like a hippie revival. That's wild that nobody including Norman himself has been able to replicate it.
Maybe he had a little "help".
@@Bacpakin As many others are noting here, the "I never sinned" aspect of the Gospel message is entirely on point. I suspect "The Spirit in the Sky" may have added a divine "tweak" to their setup also... quite a testimony if you think about it....
Kentucky Headhunters had a good cover on this also!
I'm wondering if the guitar was plugged directly into the console and they drove the input into distortion by turning up the trim pot. Great story.
There is a guy on you tube that was trying to figure out how to replicate the tone. His best guess is that nobody can replicate the sound because the battery in the pedal was almost dead which adds a unique tone. He got a similar pedal and used a variable voltage that he could lower the voltage until it was barely powered on. That sounded really close
"I've never been a sinner, I never sinned" is actually part of the gospel in that Christ took our place as sinners so we could take his righteousness, as though we never sinned (2 Cor. 5:21). I was 10 in 1970, not a Christian, but this song gave Christ street credibility, worthy of my ears. Thanks Norman, I needed that.
Accurate
The issue was with “I’ve never”. We were all sinners before we accepted the gift of righteousness through Christ. I get what you mean though. 🙂
I’ve always loved this song.
@@sherrimiller5258 I wasn't. The notion that babies are born sinners is absurd..
@@intercommerce you must not know what the Holy Bible says about MAN...We are born sinners, because of the fall in the garden, and at the fall we were alienated from GOD. GOD could not have anything to do with MAN, because GOD is Holy and could not have anything to do with sinful man,. So GOD sent Jesus to bring our spirit back to our creator GOD, So that we could commune with GOD again. READ YOUR BIBLE. prayerfully, Genesis the first chapters to the fall of man and then skip to The Gospel of John, (and read carefully the first chapter of John) but read all of the gospel of John...Or all of the gospels.
I remember being 15 years old and listening to this song as it was climbing
the charts. My dad let me drive our old Chevy truck up and down in our field
and the radio was one of the few things that worked on it. I listened to this
song as I learned to drive!
@Tee Mack He sure didn't ride with me much!
Nice
🤣😂I learned to drive with “The Immigrant Song”, by Led Zeppelin. But I learned to create my own dances to “Spirit in the Sky”😂🤣
I found his website a long time ago and sent him a quick email through the website, and he responded with a gracious and funny reply. What a great guy, I've always loved this song.
I love this song! I am an 80's kid but when this comes on the radio in the car I always turn it up. My mom has told me she wants this song done for her funeral. I had no idea the story behind the song and that he never had another hit single like this. This channel is awesome!
Thank you for this. It was wonderful. I'm in my mid 50's. I've heard this song many times. I knew the chorus and would sing along when it came on the radio, but never really paid attention to all of the lyrics. That is until this past summer. My mom was staying with me for a few months and we discus and listen to all kinds of music. I had asked her what kind of music she listened to when she was a teenager and she told me this song had always been her favorite, still is today. I was surprised, I didn't think this would have been her type of music. Kind of hippie-ish. I figured she would be more into Elvis or Damian or something like that; and she was, but she said this song always made her feel happy. So, we listened to it. I really listened to it for the first time and paid attention to the message. It does make you feel good, hopeful even. When the time comes, she wants this played at her funeral. I think it will surprise a lot of people. Thanks again for this video, it is another thing shared with my mom. She is the one who sent me the link today.
A friends husband wanted it played at his funeral. He was in his late 70’s and been sick for years so I asked his wife how’s this going to work? She said I don’t know but I promised him. End of the funeral as people were standing to leave Spirit In The Sky started playing. Everyone laughed, started singing and some dancing. Best funeral ending ever.
That fuzz riff, along with the Beatles’ Revolution, represents the most iconic fuzz riffs of all time.
If you’re going to be a one hit wonder, you might as well do it with one of the most iconic songs ever. Well done Norman!
The Beatles riff is actually distortion from one channel of the mixing console overdriving another channel on the board.
@@fullclipaudio Thank you. I just learned something.
Even the slight delay of the fuzz tone gets your senses jacked up
The riff is a traditional boogie blues riff a la John Lee Hooker’s “Boogie Chillun.”
This was one of John Lennon's favorite songs. I seem to recall him saying in an interview that he loved the raw rock groove of it.
The groove is similar to Instant Karma . . .
@@louiesimon5292 Wow, great point! - Lennon stated in a Rolling Stone interview that he enjoyed Sprit in the Sky. Instant Karma was recorded and released very soon after the release of Spirit in the Sky, and yeah, it's the same beat. Ha ha!
Steve, it reminds me of a John Lennon song
Greenbaum has been quoted as saying, "Spirit In The Sky" 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'."
"I can Only Imagine" is up there now too!
Joe, everyone wants to know why you’re getting letters from funeral directors!
@@marionrosannaanna4590 🤣🤣🤣🤣
This is gonna be my song at my funeral! For sure
“ Closer to home” Grand Funk R.R. and if your not in a big hurry “I’m your Captain” a great intro. Those two are heard uhhhhhhalot at funerals here in Mich.A buddy has been in the business since he was 18. He says those are the go to alot.
A close friend had it played at her funeral. You could feel the whole church rockin and tapping their feet! The hubby and I dance together every time it comes on! ❤️
This was my uncle’s theme and it was played at his funeral. So every time I hear this it takes me back to that day we put my uncle to rest! But it’s a great memory of my uncle and I have loved this song because of it.
Loved this song when it first came out and I was a young aspiring guitarist. The fuzzy, gritty guitar sound hooked me. In recent years, I was playing in a gospel blues band and we did our own version of it. Always a crowd pleaser.
I also read a while back about how Norman Greenbaum has been financially supported by this song throughout his life. Good for him!
Thank you for all the historical and biographical detail. This was the first record I asked my mother to buy me, a year before I started playing guitar at age 9. I've been a lifelong professional musician and this song was such an inspiration. I spoke with Norman in the early 2000's and as a guitarist, I asked him about the gear he used to get that unique sound. He said just what you did - that despite repeated attempts, he could never replicate it. Lightning in a bottle indeed!
Thanks for sharing.
That has to be one of my favorite episodes ever....my story is that my step son is only 29 but includes this great song on his Playlist....Norman your work is alive and well and will be played for many generations....you have made history and left us all a legacy of Love!!!!
I was in Vietnam when this song came out and I honestly did not know it was from1970. Missed it somewhere along the line between the Psychedelic, the Soul, the Country Western audio sections of the barracks/hootches.
Thank You for a fascinating episode. Heartened to hear of his outlook on life. May he enjoy many more years.
"The Spirit in the Sky" IS NOT just a song! IT'S A STATEMENT! That's why it still touches people as soon as it begins
This is a great story. As a technician, the best recordings are done with simplicity. If the sound is just right before the recording process, that's 80% of the work done. The right mics, preamps, the ambiance of the session and the quality of the talents to finish it😃
Hi Mark Sadler.
I totally agree with you re recordings.
Everything has to be just right and sound to Perfection, nothing less!
There are great engineers, but most
in my belief and hopeless in all Areas,
be it music radio and movie films being
The worst! I have often thought How on earth are those people employed!
Surely they are not payed with Real money!!!
All the very best to you.
Stay safe and smiling.
JB. East Surrey. UK,
Probably the most difficult thing is that the mood has to be right. All the performers have to have the right attitude and be in the right frame of mind. Because that will come out in the performance.
@@gregorymoore2877 Wow!!! You have nailed it there!! I'm sure there are classic recordings that was just so and was spontaneous without previous rehearsals. My brain at the moment is not recollecting☹️
I've probably heard this song many times before I actually really remember hearing it and thinking "I know this song is old, but I love it!" Through the years, I've heard it everywhere from the crazy rides at the fair to tv shows like Supernatural. It may be a "one hit wonder", but it's just one of those classics that will never go away.
I have a friend who said this song came on the radio the night her mother died. It’s always been near her heart.
I was about 13 when this song came out. Loved it ever since. About 15 years ago(maybe longer)I decided to look him up online. His site had a contact button so I said what the heck. I sent him an email asking about the fuzz tone on the song. He replied saying "how did you find me?" Then explained that the fuzz was an onboard custom one and talked more about how the song was recorded. I lost the email since then but wish I still had it. He seems like a nice guy.
I first heard this song when Howard Stern covered it on his show. He ended interviewing Norman Greenbaum after he heard Howard's cover of the song. I'm so glad he's getting some royalties. If I remember correctly, he told Howard he lives off those royalties. It's not that much though. It's not like he's making millions but I'm so happy he's getting paid. Great video.
I remember that interview, He said he started making money from the royalties after the song was used in the movie Apollo 13.
Kentucky headhunters done great version
@@pineknot1929 Darrell Mansfield also helped keep the song Popular
As a Christian I crank up the song “Spirit In The Sky”. I love it. And I’m not offended by the lyrics ‘never been a sinner, I never sin(ned)” to me means that if you have Jesus, your sins are covered as if you never sinned. I think it’s brilliant, in the spirit of the song itself. How do I know this song is Jesus approved? It touches my heart and has positive vibes and I play it loud when I drive so that everyone can hear it.
AMEN!!!
I love that song,
Amen!!!
Amen!
My sentiments exactly...
He lives in Santa Rosa, CA. I’ve seen him pull up”Spirit in the Sky” on the jukebox at one of the local restaurants. Just enjoying his own creation.
My fav song of his is “Petaluma.” I thought he lived in Sebastopol.
that's sort of a sad image
Funny. Most people I know don't want to hear their own, but I say great for him! We all don't have that one song in the juke box.
@domicile ubiquitis "the login spoonfuls" tee hee!
Hey...I live in Santa Rosa! 😯 What restaurant could you be talking about? We have a cuppla dive bars here w/ jukeboxes, but can't really think of any restaurants...🤔
As a teenager of the mid sixties I remember hearing it for the first time, it was a mind altering experience and it still hits me the same way today.
I, like everyone else here, have loved this song since it came out. It’s one of the few songs I turn up the volume on. I would have loved to meet him when I was younger. Thank you, Norman, for one of the greatest songs ever made.
A friend from back in primary school loved this song. We were hanging out sometimes when we were teenagers, and one night I was driving his car which he bought even though he didn't get a licence yet. I must have heard that song fifty times that night!
When we were going home, the car started sputtering and died. Started again, died, and kept doing that. The battery got flat, and we had to push-start the car, but I couldn't keep it going. My licence-less friend, who was also a bit drunk, then took the wheel instead and me and another mate who was riding had to push start it again. Once it started, we had to jump on the back of the car, because if he didn't keep it going, it would die. So we made it, the last kilometers to his house, riding on the back of the car under the stars on a deserted road in the middle of the night, all while Spirit In The Sky was blasting on the stereo!
That was about 30 years ago. Then life happend and we didn't hang out much after that summer. We used to bump into each other sometimes, as you do. He had kids early, I didn't. Then out of the blue, about five years ago, I got the sad news that he committed suicide. So this song reminds me of him, both that summer, but also the day I heard he passed away.
Great story!
I so agree! I always felt that this is the BEST one hit wonder of the 70's... or ever! Thanks for the story. Norman Greenbaum is one cool dude. 😎❤
I love this story so much❤Yes, Norman Greenbaum was Jewish, but let’s not forget that Jesus was also a Jew. God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. God used Norman Greenbaum for His glory. Norman Greenbaum understood the assignment. The line “Never been a sinner, I never sinned” brings me joy and peace. This song is about having a personal relationship with Jesus, not about being perfect and never having any sin. When Jesus died on the cross, our sins were 💯forgiven. This is one of my favorite Professor of Rock videos - Thank you for the lesson!!!🙏
The history of the song and Norman was exceptionally covered, thank you.
I've loved this song since it first came out. A few years ago, as we were driving away from my father in laws funeral, the first song they played on the radio was the original version. It was pretty wild.
Great video about a great song. Yes, as a recently retired Christian pastor, I always had some difficulty with the line "Never been a sinner I never sinned", but you covered that well....and I never let that keep me from crankin' up that song! Thanks so much for this 'enlightening' episode! And of course, God bless!
I was 12 in 1970 and I fell in love with Spirit in the Sky the first time I heard it. I've never turned it off before listening to it in its entirety. I've been late for work bc you just don't ignore Spirit in the Sky. I just got goosebumps when the first line was played here. Definitely one of my all time favorites.
Hearing the backstory on this was interesting. I knew a bit of the story, but not the details. Thanks for sharing! Those one hit wonders of the late 60s and the 70s were the best! In the Year 2525 (Zager & Evans), Hold Your Head Up (Argent), Vehicle (The Ides of March), Play that Funky Music (Wild Cherry), and so many more!!
I would love for The Professor to post an episode on any of those songs!
You do know Rod Argent was in The Zombies?
@@troyjones2358 yes, of course! ☺
Vehicle (The Ides of March) was popular with high school bands in the 70’s. Nothing like hearing the band blare it from the stands as the team took the field. One of those “Whose better than us? moments. Yes indeed, the 70’s was a great time to be a kid!
@@mickeywilburn1997 yes, it sure was!
I saw him as an opening act at the Honolulu International Center (HIC) in 1969. He sang Spirit in the Sky and the Eggplant that Ate Chicago. I still remember his performance.
Hey Daryl...that HIC show was on April 18, 1970 with the Doors -- one of my favorite gigs of the tour. Of course that was 53 years ago so you're forgiven for getting the date slightly off. Cheers! spiritguitar😎
Loved this video I heard an interview by Norman and he said anytime he was going through financial difficulty out of the blue someone would record the song or put it in a movie and like a gift from the heavens the song would come to his rescue as for me I was all in from that first guitar riff loved it ever since thank you
You don't really think about how big a movie song this is till you hear it again. It keeps coming back and it's not like most one hits you burned out on. Great job .
I had no idea that he made so many albums before and after this hit. I was always crazy about it, and my Mom liked it too. None of the covers catch that slinky, slidey rhythmic groove that never fails to make me dance in my chair, or launch me out of it to dance around the room. So many perfect, interconnecting parts, down to the hippy India-bell tone so judiciously positioned throughout the track. The background singers give me the chills, and I love the last chorus where the solo voice sings, "When I die!". The outro guitar solo that careens off into space....
The world's only fuzz-tone boogie spiritual. Love it.
Yep. Cranked up, you can practically feel the mechanics of that ancient guitar vibrating your back teeth. Ha! It was not the dulcet organ music common in our local Catholic church in the late '60's.
I went to a party back in the 70's held by someone who was a bit of a 'square' and although he had a record player, he didn't have any pop records. The situation was only rescued when one visitor said he had a disk that he purchased that day still in his car. He brought Spirit in the Sky into the house, and put it in the record player with the top arm swung out of the way so that it played over and over - which it did for the whole of the evening! All of us present became quite familiar with the words after four or five hours! It was just so appropriate to the time that it turned out to be a very successful party!
@Don Johnson24 - You have to be high or boring to listen to the same song for 5 hours.
@@Frunobulax74 ...or a 13 year old kid in the 70s
@@CreateAConspiracy - or a boring bunch of kids in the '70s
@DogMan WERE I GREREW up in the 70s They were a WERE A BLAST , IN Kodiak Alaska , Island lake on youtube check it out .I fished the lake most days , with good friends . The music of the 70s was most part was fantastic .Went to great clean schools, My Mom was a great cook ,Had great sea food my dad was a shrimp fisher man so had great shrimp halibut Fished salmon at mill bay , My best ten years ever were in the 70s
Professor YOU are mind blowing! I LOVED this song in my youth, what a great song. You are an amazing storyteller! The Spirit in the Sky was the force behind the success of this song. Thank you so very much for your channel, I cannot get enough of you.
Always have loved that song on a natural spiritual level. It just hit that cord
This has always been one of the 100 songs in my Top 3 Songs of All Time. I think I requested it more than any other tune when I was younger.
Favourite Norman story I heard was that he was booked for a festival and given a 30 minute set, the organisers not realising he only had one song. So he just kept playing Spirit in the sky over and over for half an hour. Luckily the crowd was so stoned they didn't realise...
I play this often on guitar hero 👍
I could listen to that song for 30 minutes straight totally sober.
This song's special place for me. Music, esp classic rock, has always been the soundtrack to my life. So when I got the call that my dad - my rock in the world - was in the hospital (he was a frail man with lots of medical issues), I jumped in my car, turned on the radio and.... Spirit in the Sky was the first song that played. A portent? An omen? It actually gave me the solace and calm to get through that night and the tough weeks that followed. A true blessing!
I’ve heard this song hundreds times, but never knew who sung it.
Love that you did a video about it.
It's a very interesting story for sure. Thanks for watching!
Samehere, I heard it 100’s of times & never knew the name of the artist and the Goat 🐐 farmer angle is just astounding….another fantastic interview by the good professor, just amazing knowledge…..thanks👏👏👏
@@ProfessorofRock ; Adam please speak of the 70's Monster Mash... All kids had, like yoyos, sea monkeys, pet rocks, invisible pet on a leash. Brady bunch,slinkies, Monster Mash was, awesome. Truly forgotten.
A gospel-flavored gem that still continues to touch me like an angelic choir done so colorfully in reverb. A real godsend, if you know what I mean.
In 2015, Norman was a passenger in a car that collided with a motorcycle, and was hospitalized in critical condition. Thank goodness he pulled through, and is currently living in the Santa Rosa, CA area. L'chaim, Norman!
How's the Motorcyclist?
@@carmenandthedevil2804 He died.
God bless the Nation of Palestine and her eternal capitol, Jerusalem.
@@DarthVader1977 even G D won't bless something that never existed and never will
@@jamessilver6429 God*