Which do you prefer, the Byrds/Doobies’ “Jesus is just alright with me” or Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky”?
(I know that neither the Byrd’s or the Doobie Brothers wrote “Jesus…”, but most people associate the song with them and not its original writer Arthur Reid Reynolds.)
Of the choices given, I prefer Spirit in the Sky.
If I am allowed a write in, I would vote, Thy Unveiling, Insane Clown Posse.
SFC Schwartz
Spirit in the Sky.
I always thought Spirit In The Sky, was done tongue-in-cheek, and not meant to be taken seriously.
c. none of the above. Both of those songs really irritate me.
The Byrds “Words from the Book of Ecclesiastes” (aka “Turn, Turn, Turn”) was pretty cool, though.
Yeah, what Da Mikster said. (Actually, I haven’t heard Spirit in the Sky, but other than that, what he said.)
One of my fav songs with a moral message…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1KtScrqtbc
Sometimes I’ve wanted to blast it while passing TP rallies
Oh man - Spirit in the Sky by a mile, for no other reason than I love that farty, chuggy riff. A Telecaster with an onboard, homemade distortion effect, IIRC. Fun to play. And the “passing airplane” effects - done by playing a high note with some feedback going and clicking the guitar’s pickup on and off (like Van Halen does during the break in You Really Got Me).
It’s the one I would listen to without paying attention to the lyrics…
Spirit in the Sky by far.
We used to warm up to it during practice sessions because it is such a great funky riff that you can play overtop of each phrase, add flourishes and fills. Everone knows the words and it sets a great mood.
I always thought it amusing it was written by a Jewish guy. :dubious:
I’m going to go and cast a write-in vote for “After Forever” by Black Sabbath.
Well, if we move past the two nominees in the OP, nothing, and I mean nothing, beats Prince’s The Cross(youtube link). Sincere, direct, loving, beautiful - and listen all the way through; it takes a bit of time to kick in musically, but the payoff just rocks.
If you’ve never heard it, I really think you would enjoy giving it a listen, religious or no…
If I had to choose between those two, then Spirit in the Sky. But if I could open up the voting I agree with Turn, Turn, Turn if we are sticking to Classic Rock, and if we move forward a few decades I’d go with one of a few U2 songs (probably Mysterious Ways or I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For).
Love the song; one of the few U2 songs I do love. But isn’t it about sexual love, not religion? “If you wanna kiss the sky, better learn how to kneel” isn’t about praying, near as I can tell 
The legendary Pete Seeger was the composer.
I lived through the Christian rock era. My favorite will always be Jesus Christ Superstar.
Of the two,“Spirit in the Sky.”
I’ve always thought the Doobies singing “Jesus is just all right with me” is very funny. Nah, he ain’t no awesome God or nothin.’ He’s just all right.
Hmm no love for Creed in this thread…
Yeah - what’s up with that? Or **Stryper **for that matter - I mean, come on!
“Spirit in the Sky” had a good groove. I wonder how many Christians it’s pissed off over the years, because of that line about “never been a sinner, never sinned, I got a friend in Jesus”. Runs a bit counter to doctrine, which is why the Kentucky Headhunters cover revised it just a bit.
My picks for best Christian rock hit - “People Get Ready” (including the Jeff Beck version) and “Time Has Come Today” (Chambers Brothers), which qualifies because I once heard it played on a Christian rock station. Honorable mentions go to “The Second Sitting For The Last Supper” (10cc) and “Happy In The Lord” (Stackridge).
Of the two, I’ll turn off “Spirit” faster. Neither will play on anything I own. Ever.