Meaningful songs #2 - NORMAN GREENBAUM

This is the second in an occasional series of songs from my collection, with the intent of introducing music to younger readers that they may gain appreciation of music from the classic years, 1957-1990. 

I have lived long enough to hear the "popular" music industry become ever-more formulaic, lazy, uninspiring and cynical; delivering "units" and "artistes" as interesting and memorable as polished mud.

Meaningful songs that eloquently convey a story, sentiment, or social comment and make it to national consciousness are rare these days. If you agree this song is meaningful, please introduce it to someone young; they might enjoy becoming "musical archaeologists".

Todays song, titled "Spirit In The Sky", released in 1969, is by a singer called NORMAN GREENBAUM. 

Hear the song here

This song is a song of faith and a homage to Jesus and ascent into Heaven. I am not a believer, but the riff in the tune is epic.

SPIRIT IN THE SKY

When I die and they lay me to rest

Gonna go to the place that's the best

When they lay me down to die

Goin' up to the spirit in the sky

Goin' up the spirit in the sky (spirit in the sky)

That's where I'm gonna go when I die (when I die)

When I die and they lay me to rest

I'm gonna to to the place that is 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 (spirit in the sky)

   

Whoa, he'll recommend you to the spirit in the sky

That's where you're gonna go when you die (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've never sinned

I've got a friend in Jesus

So you know that when I die

He's gonna set me up with the spirit in the sky

Whoa, set me up with the spirit in the sky (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

Return to the first article in this series or hear the first song in this series.

Read the next article in this series or hear the next song in this series.

For the index of all songs in this blog click here.