For more than half a century, Norman Greenbaum’s 1969 anthem “Spirit in the Sky” has captivated listeners of all generations with its euphoric energy and bold, genre-bending sound. Now we celebrate the song’s era-defying legacy with two special releases: a brand-new Dolby Atmos mix and vinyl reissue of Greenbaum’s kaleidoscopic debut album, Spirit in the Sky.
Long out-of-print, Greenbaum’s 1969 debut returns to vinyl in a replica tip-on jacket with lacquers cut from the original tapes (AAA) by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio. Anchored by its beloved, iconic title track, “Spirit in the Sky,” the album fuses rock, gospel, and psychedelia, featuring hidden gems like “Marcy,” “Tars Of India,” and “Skyline” that highlight Greenbaum’s distinctive songwriting style. Meanwhile, the Dolby Atmos single gives fans an opportunity to experience “Spirit in the Sky” in transcendent spatial audio.
Fueled by one of the most unforgettable guitar hooks in music history, the single “Spirit in the Sky” premiered in December 1969 and soon reached the No. 1 spot on charts across the globe, including the U.S., Australia, Canada, Ireland, the U.K., and Germany. Eventually selling over two million copies worldwide, the gold-certified track marked a major commercial and creative breakthrough for Greenbaum, fusing elements of rock & roll, gospel, pop, and psychedelia with a daring originality way ahead of its time.
A Massachusetts native who got his start performing in Boston coffeehouses, Greenbaum launched his career with the formation of Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band — a short-lived, Los Angeles-based psychedelic jug band whose 1966 single “The Eggplant That Ate Chicago” reached No. 52 on the Billboard Hot 100. Soon after the band’s dissolution, Greenbaum played a gig at The Troubadour in West Hollywood and caught the attention of producer Erik Jacobsen (known for his work on The Lovin’ Spoonful’s hit singles “Do You Believe in Magic,” “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice,” and more). With Jacobsen at the helm as producer, Greenbaum soon set to work on Spirit in the Sky.
