Spirit in the Sky” is a song written and originally recorded by Norman Greenbaum and released in late 1969. The single became a gold record, selling two million copies from 1969 to 1970, and reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart (April 18, 1970), where it lasted for 15 weeks in the Top 100, and #1 on WCFL…. (link)

I was age-13, and remember hearing this song played over and over on AM radio, which they did way too much. I was so glad when I found KQRS FM, a progressive rock station that would never repeat the same song in 24 hours, and would sometimes play entire sides of albums (real vinyl record LPs that real DJs played on a turntable in real time).

I now wonder what this did to America’s psyche, who heard it hundreds of times ad nauseam. I wasn’t mature enough spiritually at the time to think through the implications, being so young and not becoming a Christian until five years later.

A funeral home in Anchorage now uses it in their ad, playing the part that assures people they’re going to heaven when they die; though, this song wasn’t even written by a Christian, and may be mocking Christianity, as this writer theorizes.

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Is it true that “Spirit In The Sky’s” Norman Greenbaum is an atheist in real life? (link)

Simon Bridge, Life long Atheist and skeptic.

No. At least not according to him … Greenbaum is a Jew, and was a Jew when he wrote the song.

I have argued that “spirit in the Sky” is a critical song … it highlights the snarky/skiting appearance of Christian songs as they appear to no-believers (ie atheists and non-Christians).

Notice the line,

“I am not a sinner, never sinned..”

That is a non-Christian reference… the usual Christian doctrine is the exact opposite: everyone is a sinner, that is why you need salvation.

Also, “I’ve got a friend in Jesus, and he’s going to hook me up with the Spirit in the Sky…” suggesting that Jesus and God are not the same being.

But the main theme is how the singer has a special deal with the spirit in the sky and so has special privilege so isn’t he just fine.

Look: to a non-believer, Christians sound like that: super arrogant and condescending and rubbing it in everyone’s faces and all the while saying how humble they are.

Lyrics:

*Note: the third stanza is true, but “prepare yourself” goes by so fast that most may not hear it. Many may have loved this song because

Spirit in the Sky
Norman Greenbaum

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 (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 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 (spirit in the sky)

Oh 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 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 (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 go to the place that’s the best
Go to the place that’s the best

The truth about who goes to heaven:

Who-Goes-To-Heaven Scriptures — Narrow is the Way | Who are the Children of God? — “There is therefore now *no condemnation* to those who are IN CHRIST Jesus, who don’t WALK according to the flesh, but ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT”