who did the original spirit in the sky
Norman Greenbaum
title: Spirit in the Sky text: Spirit in the Sky "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. "Billboard" ranked the record the No. 22 song of 1970. It also climbed to number one on the UK, Australian and Canadian charts in 1970. "Rolling Stone" ranked "Spirit in the Sky" No. 333 on its list of the title: Spirit in the Sky text: "Pop Idol" runner-up Gareth Gates' second studio album, "Go Your Own Way". The single was released on March 14, 2003, and was the official "Comic Relief" charity single for 2003. The song features guest vocals from The Kumars. The song peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Gates' fourth number one single. Spirit in the Sky "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" title: The Stovall Sisters text: The Stovall Sisters In the 1970s, the Stovall Sisters were a gospel trio of recording artists consisting of Lillian, Netta, and Joyce Stovall. Definitive works include the album "The Stovall Sisters" (Reprise Records 1970, Warner Music Group) which included the now funk/soul classic “Hang on in There.” They are also the featured background vocalists on the rock classic “Spirit In The Sky” (recorded by Norman Greenbaum, producer, Erik Jacobsen). Born in Kentucky and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Stovall Sisters, now known as Nettie Stovall, Lillian Jackson, and Rejoyce Moss, were three of the exceptionally large family of twenty-two children title: Spirit in the Sky text: 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. The song was featured on the 1969 album of the same name. Cover versions by Doctor and the Medics and Gareth Gates have also made the number 1 spot in the UK. "Spirit in the Sky" makes several references to Jesus, although Greenbaum is Jewish. In a 2006 interview with the "New York Times", Greenbaum told a reporter he was inspired to write the song after watching Porter Wagoner singing a gospel song on TV. Greenbaum said: "I thought, 'Yeah, I could do that,' knowing nothing about gospel music, so I sat down and title: Spirit in the Sky text: wrote my own gospel song. It came easy. I wrote the words in 15 minutes." 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 for Reprise Records. Jacobsen had previously worked with The Lovin' Spoonful and the song was included on Greenbaum's first solo album. The song's arrangement came together in the studio in San Francisco where lead guitarist Russell DaShiell, bass player Doug Killmer from the band Crowfoot and drummer Norman Mayell from the band Sopwith Camel worked