Spirit in the sky original artist

But what really clinched the deal was seeing a greeting card with American Indians sitting around a fire in front of a teepee. What else could I do? Greenbaum’s vocals remained matter-of-fact, conversational yet sincere—delivering lines like “Gotta have a friend in Jesus” with an everyman’s clarity.

Upon its release, the song gained rapid radio play and became a transatlantic smash.

Though he never replicated its commercial success, the song became his defining work, granting him lasting fame and royalties that secured his future. It also laid the groundwork for the “Jesus music” movement of the 1970s, which would evolve into contemporary Christian rock.

Over the decades, “Spirit in the Sky” has been covered by a wide range of artists, including Doctor and the Medics (whose 1986 version also topped UK charts) and Gareth Gates featuring The Kumars in 2003.

Following a 1970s motorcycle accident and several shifts away from music, he led a relatively quiet life in Northern California. “One, it was too long for AM radio. He quickly wrote the song in just 15 minutes, fascinated by the idea of writing a gospel-themed tune with a rock ‘n’ roll edge. "I kept changing it," he told Classic Bands.

So to me that was spiritual, they wanted to die with their boots on. Surprisingly, his skills are more suited to the drums. “I knew it sounded like something, but I just didn’t know what to do with it. It arrived at a moment when many sought meaning beyond materialism or rebellion. But more important it wasn’t the Jesus part, it was the spirit in the sky.’” 

There have been several cover versions over the years; two that I have are by Doctor and the Medics– who also reached #1on the U.K. charts with “Spirit in the Sky” (Gareth Gates is yet a third artist who reached Number One in the U.K. with “Spirit in the Sky”) – and by the all-female bandFuzzbox.

Later musicians, from glam rockers to folk revivalists, cited it as an early example of how popular music could explore spiritual ideas without adhering to rigid doctrines. The band soon broke up, and Greenbaum went back to playing solo gigs in L.A.

Something about the music he had begun writing in Boston haunted him, but he was still unable to complete the song.

It showed that spiritual messages could exist within rock music without alienating listeners. "I knew this guy, and he knew electronics. Critics were intrigued, audiences were hooked, and the music industry took notice. The resulting lyrics, focused on the afterlife and divine connection, were simple but resonant—offering comfort without dogma.

“Spirit in the Sky” was produced by Erik Jacobsen, who had previously worked with The Lovin’ Spoonful.

Two, it was about Jesus with a fuzz box.

Then he happened to catch country singer Porter Warner singing a gospel number on TV.

“That hit me, yeah, like ‘I can do that,’” Greenbaum says.