"Spirit in the Sky" Lives On...and On

I just read an article about Santa Rosa resident Norman Greenbaum who wrote and performed the forever-popular song "Spirit in the Sky."

The New York Times story is about how Greenbaum's hit song of 1969 has enjoyed a resurrection, and is now the "quintessential soundtrack for movies and TV commercials."

According to the Times, “Spirit in the Sky” has been featured in 32 movies (including “The Longest Yard,” “Ocean’s 11,” “Superstar,” “Apollo 13” and “Wayne’s World 2”) and more than a dozen national television ads (for companies like Nike, HBO, American Express and Toyota).

So, what's Greenbaum doing with all that royalty money? As quoted in the Times article: “Well, it’s not like it’s made me rich, as you can see,” said Mr. Greenbaum, 64, gesturing at his modest two-bedroom apartment in Santa Rosa, Calif., about an hour north of San Francisco. “But because of ‘Spirit in the Sky,’ I don’t have to work. So in that sense, it’s a comfortable living.”

Check out Greenbaums' "Spirit in the Sky" website for a sound clip. You know you're going to be humming it all day.