That Eric Alper

Few riffs can spark instant joy like the opening fuzz-box blast of Norman Greenbaum’s “Spirit in the Sky.” First released in 1969, the four-minute-long psychedelic rocket—anchored by gritty guitar riffs and a foot-stomping gospel chorus—shot to No.1 across the globe including the US, UK, Australia and beyond, selling millions and cementing itself as a cultural touchstone. The track has been covered by everyone from Bauhaus to Elton John, with memorable placements in classic films including Apollo 13, Ocean’s Eleven and Guardians of the Galaxy. Now, more than half a century later, Craft Recordings celebrates the evergreen anthem with its first official music video, inviting a new generation to crank the volume.

Created with Greenbaum’s blessing (he even pops in for a quick cameo), the project was directed by Laurence Harlan Jacobs, who has helmed original films and music videos—including the fan-favorite 50th-anniversary short for CCR’s “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” which has racked up over half a billion views (and counting). He’s also directed and produced projects for Oscar-winner Steve Martin, GRAMMY-winners Common, Iggy Pop and Robert Glasper, plus Valerie June and Grace Potter. Written and produced by Jessica Jacobs, “Spirit in the Sky” tips its hat to Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, as it follows a teen (Conor Sherry) who’s been grounded and completely cut off from technology. He decides to “borrow” his dad’s vintage convertible for an unforgettable, analog adventure in Los Angeles with his partner-in-crime (Abby Ryder Fortson).

Shot on location in Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach, the video bottles the carefree rush of summer adventure while doubling as a love letter to L.A.’s post-wildfire resilience. Siblings Laurence and Jessica—both L.A. natives—sprinkle in hometown Easter eggs only locals will spot, from a vintage Pali High hoodie to golden-hour walks over the Ballona Creek Bridge.

Director Laurence Harlan Jacobs shares, “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, 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.”

Portraying the film’s sweetly rebellious lead, Conor Sherry channels “Spirit in the Sky” for a new generation. “Doing this project was really cool because ‘Spirit in the Sky’ is one of those songs I’ve heard a bunch of times, but never actually sat with until now…” On the video’s themes, Sherry adds, “With the rapid rise of AI, stepping away from all of that and making real-life memories felt especially relevant. And honestly, doing all that with a song that’s objectively timeless and working alongside Abby, who is incredibly talented, made it even more meaningful.”

Fresh off a starring role in the 2024 coming-of-age film, Snack Shack, the 24-year-old actor and recent UCLA graduate can also be seen in the Amazon Prime series The Terminal List and the third season of Nickelodeon’s anthology series, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Coming up, Sherry will star as Adam Sandler’s son in the highly-anticipated Netflix film, Happy Gilmore 2.

Abby Ryder Fortson, meanwhile, offers an equally engaging performance as Sherry’s on-screen accomplice. Speaking to the video’s seize-the-moment spirit—and what drew her to the project—Fortson shares, “To me, this song represents taking life by the reins and enjoying it while we can. In our modern-day world of technology constantly in the palm of our hands, it’s easy to forget that sometimes the best things in life are right in front of you. To all the teens out there (and honestly, adults too) who feel disconnected even while being constantly connected, I challenge you this summer: Put your phone down. Drive to a friend’s and go on an adventure. Get a film camera and make real memories without the pressure of posting. Go out and explore the world, wherever you are. There’s something magical waiting for you as soon as you put your phone away.”

A Critics ’Choice nominee, Fortson is best known for portraying the title character in the 2023 film adaptation of Judy Blume’s classic novel, Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret, opposite Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates, and Benny Safdie. Last year, she appeared in the 2024 Tribeca Narrative winner, Griffin in Summer, while she can also be seen in such popular films as Ant-Man and A Dog’s Journey. The 17-year-old actor has also been active on TV, with recurring roles in Togetherness, Stephen Spielberg’s The Whispers, and, most recently HBO’s hit show, The Pitt.

The premiere of “Spirit in the Sky” follows a recent reissue of the single in stunning Dolby Atmos, while, earlier in June, Craft Recordings reissued its namesake 1969 album on vinyl. Speaking to the renewed spotlight on his signature hit, Greenbaum declares, “Half a century later, my song, ‘Spirit in the Sky’ is finding many, many new fans—not to mention, it has a Dolby Atmos mix and now, a super great video by Craft’s incredible team. How cool. It’s so exciting. Here’s to another 50!!!”