The song “Spirit in the Sky” was written and originally recorded by American singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum, who released it as a single in late 1969 from his album of the same name.

Quick Scoop

  • The writer: Norman Greenbaum, a U.S. singer-songwriter known for psychedelic and folk-rock influences.
  • The original recording artist: Also Norman Greenbaum; his 1969 version is the classic hit most people know.
  • Release details: Issued as a single in December 1969, it went on to sell around two million copies in the U.S. and became a gold record.

A Bit More Context

  • “Spirit in the Sky” was recorded for Greenbaum’s album of the same name and features his fuzzed-out guitar, handclaps, and gospel-style backing vocals, which helped give it its distinctive sound.
  • The track became a major chart success, reaching the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 top 3 and hitting number 1 in several countries, cementing Greenbaum’s place in rock history.

TL;DR: Norman Greenbaum both wrote and recorded the original 1969 hit “Spirit in the Sky.”

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