Norman Greenbaum’s ‘Spirit in the Sky’ Gets Official Video
The visual for the 1969 classic follows two teens as they embark on an analog adventure that doubles as a love letter to Los Angeles.
Norman Greenbaum’s timeless 1969 hit “Spirit in the Sky” has received its first-ever official music video. Directed by Laurence Harlan Jacobs, the feel-good visual stars Conor Sherry (Snack Shack, Happy Gilmore 2) and Abby Ryder Fortson (Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret; The Pitt), with a cameo by Greenbaum. The video channels Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and follows two teens as they embark on an analog adventure that doubles as a love letter to Los Angeles.
A No.1 hit, “Spirit in the Sky” has been covered by everyone from Bauhaus to Elton John and has appeared in films like Apollo 13, Ocean’s Eleven, and Guardians of the Galaxy. The single was recently reissued in Dolby Atmos®.
Per director Laurence Harlan Jacobs, “When I was asked to pitch on this video, I knew it was a tall order—everyone knows this song! It’s been in so many movies and commercials. So we set out to craft a story that could emotionally hold its own—something personal and intimate that would live in harmony with the iconic song and speak to a new generation. Jessica [Jacobs], our writer-producer, penned a beautiful, relatable tale. Her idea captured the magic of our childhood—growing up on the Westside, listening to cassettes in our dad’s convertible, being silly and fearless with the wind in our faces. We were inspired by our filmmaking heroes, John Hughes and Cameron Crowe, and wanted to embody that same free spirit and sincerity.”
He adds, “We filmed all over the city, ensuring the characters’ journey felt authentic—especially for SoCal natives. But most of all, we wanted to do the song justice and capture a sense of timelessness—one where you lose track of time, embrace your inner weird, and ride a wave of unexpected joy.”
In June, Craft Recordings reissued the song’s namesake 1969 album on vinyl. Merging rock, gospel, and psychedelia, the record features hidden gems like “Marcy,” “Tars of India,” and “Skyline.”
