IN REMEMBRANCE OF MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL, THE SPIRIT IN THE SKY, NORMAN GREENBAUM STYLE

The first time I ever heard this song was when I had a listen to the soundtrack of the movie MICHAEL, starring John Travolta back in the 90`s. 

This movie is an entertaining, provocative, satirical, yet strangely respectful movie about the archangel Michael, who in theological terms is Jesus Christ.

At least Travolta acknowledges the Christian belief system in his role as a beer swindling and cigarette loving angel who materialises himself as a human, for good causes.

Norman Greenbaum`s obscure one-off hit from 1970, SPIRIT IN THE SKY, fitted perfectly on the soundtrack, the Jewish Greenbaum created a timeless rock hymn acknowledging the life of Jesus and his ascension after his crucifixion around 33AD.

Many fans of ZZ Top admit that the riff to their classic 1973 song LA GRANGE, which is not quite as spiritually enlightening (laugh) as SPIRIT IN THE SKY, was almost a direct copy of Greenbaum`s rollicking guitar on his only hit single.