A Soundtrack for my Life

Norman Greenbaum, most famous for his 1969 song, “Spirit in the Sky”, studied music at Boston University.  Greenbaum has the rare achievment of having recorded TWO “one-hit wonders”.  In 1968, under the name Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band, he recorded the novelty hit “The Eggplant that Ate Chicago”.

Where is he now?

Over the years, there have been rumors of his demise, stories of living on the streets, working in a fast food joint, and one that even claimed that he was D.B. Cooper.

The reality is that he currently lives in Northern California, and lives off the royalties Spirit in the Sky has earned him.  He owns and operates a website that he still answers fan mail in such a way that proves that he has a great sense of humor.

Spirit in the Sky

Just as I remember the 45RPM record

Greenbaum had previously been a member of psychedelic jug band Dr. West’s Medicine Show and Junk Band. When they split up he won a solo contract with producer Erik Jacobsen, who had previously worked successfully with The Lovin’ Spoonful. He was inspired to write the song after watching Porter Wagoner on TV singing a gospel song. Greenbaum later said : “I thought, ‘Yeah, I could do that,’ knowing nothing about gospel music, so I sat down and wrote my own gospel song. It came easy. I wrote the words in 15 minutes.”

“Spirit in the Sky” contains lyrics about the afterlife, making several references to Jesus. However, Greenbaum, who identifies himself as Jewish, stated that he had no particular religious intentions with the song. He simply wanted to reach a bigger market. In fact, the line “Never been a sinner, I never sinned” runs counter to the Christian concept of sin.

When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best
When I lay me down to die
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
Goin’ up to the spirit in the sky
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
Gonna go to the place that’s the best

Prepare yourself you know it’s a must
Gotta have a friend in Jesus
So you know that when you die
He’s gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
Gonna recommend you
To the spirit in the sky
That’s where you’re gonna go when you die
When you die and they lay you to rest
You’re gonna go to the place that’s the best

Never been a sinner I never sinned
I got a friend in Jesus
So you know that when I die
He’s gonna set me up with
The spirit in the sky
Oh set me up with the spirit in the sky
That’s where I’m gonna go when I die
When I die and they lay me to rest
I’m gonna go to the place that’s the best
Go to the place that’s the best

Eggplant that ate Chicago

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