Norman Greenbaum
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Biography
Spirit In The Sky, which sold two million copies in 1969 and 1970. Speaking with Songfacts about the song, Greenbaum said he set out to write a religious rock song, and he is Jewish. Instead of using a Jewish word for God, he used “Jesus” because he thought it would be more marketable. It took months for Greenbaum to finish the music, but the lyrics came really quickly.
The song, with its combination of ‘heavy’ guitar, hand-clapping, and spiritual lyrics was a memorable one-hit wonder.Though Greenbaum is generally regarded as a one-hit wonder; several of his records placed prominently in the charts. In 1968, under the name Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band, he recorded the novelty hit “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago”.
Greenbaum 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.
Top Albums
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Spirit in the Sky
91,936 listeners15 tracks
Released:
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The Best of Norman Greenbaum: Spirit in the Sky
3,768 listeners24 tracks
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Spirit In The Sky "The definitive anthology"
5,858 listeners35 tracks
Released:
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Spirit In The Sky: The Best Of Norman Greenbaum
732 listeners15 tracks
Released:
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ponder_muahaha
Being unable to ignore one line in a song because it has Jesus in it is the same kind of bigotry you don't like in some religious people. [2]
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gombost
Being unable to ignore one line in a song because it has Jesus in it is the same kind of bigotry you don't like in some religious people.
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NihilisticRobot
'Spirit In The Sky' was a good song until it got to that part about Jesus, that's because I'm Atheist.
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cody_saoyrn
the album "spirit in the sky" - not talking about the song, though that's on there - is pretty frigging solid. give his discog a chance, folks!
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malecool
Only one hit ............... but what a it ! Top man.
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zealotape
I prefer "Marcy"...
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nisma
has to be one of the best one-hit wonders ever.
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FlauschiHasi
well I guess that's what I call a one hit wonder
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Gibiruei
When I Die
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Ton87
haha no not really :p but I really like the song. on the road again-style groove, positive 60s vibe and epic industrial fuzz distortion, i love the way it freaks out on the low notes.
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freelance-fiend
Ton87 - wrong shoutbox, maann....maybe you should've been a Christian
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Ton87
christian lyrics and truly satanic fuzz, this should've been an instrumental
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marinhoh
Where can i find any of his albums for download?
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malajen
The song "Weird" is so god da*n catchy by just using guitar, simple rhytm and a choir :) i've got long hair, people stare - been nowhere! Norman Greenbaum for god!
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Justin728
I want that shirt! haha
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marcelodylan
VERY COOL MAN, VERY COOL
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Daniel_Green
:D
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CinemaGoddess
I don't know what's wrong w/ the pic, but that shirt he is wearing is making me dizzy.
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Sundays_Slave
It's funny.
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Zodiac_Killer
The photo...LMFAO XD!!!
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