[Fiji Hill]

A couple of monstrosities from the summer of 1970. They are so disgusting that I won't even post hy[perlinks. Yet somehow, they were big hits and remain favorite Oldies.

"American Woman" by The Guess Who portrays America as a racist "war machine." Nonetheless, American record buyers sent it to the top of the charts.

"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum proclaims, "I've never been a sinner, I've never sinned. I have a friend in Jesus." I don't know of any Christian denomination that preaches that, and it seems to contradict the basic teachings of Christianity. Nonetheless, it rose to #3 on the national charts.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

They asked Norman about the lyrics and they “just came to him”. So not really well thought out.

[Dr. Sivana]

"Spirit in the Sky" by Norman Greenbaum proclaims, "I've never been a sinner, I've never sinned. I have a friend in Jesus." I don't know of any Christian denomination that preaches that, and it seems to contradict the basic teachings of Christianity. Nonetheless, it rose to #3 on the national charts.

Greenbaum was Jewish (after a fashion). Not a surprise he wouldn't get the theology right.

I loved his low-charting follow-up "Canned Ham" (which also sounds like an odd title coming from a Jewish man). I will use the opening riff on my radio show one day when I have a radio show.

[Michael.SF.]

‘Spirit’ came out when I was a senior in high school, part of what made that song a hit was it capitalized on the ‘Jesus Freak’ movement: Former dope smoking hippies that suddenly ( and temporarily) found God. That song became their anthem.

Forgive me, but I like the song. ;)