Heaven (Bryan Adams song)

"Heaven"
Single by Bryan Adams
from the album A Night in Heaven and Reckless
B-side	"Heaven" (live) (US) "Diana" (UK)
Released	April 9, 1985 (1985-04-09)
Format	7", 12"
Recorded	The Power Station, New York City, June 6–7, 1983
Genre	Pop rock
Length	4:04
Label	A&M
Writer(s)	Bryan Adams, Jim Vallance
Producer	Bryan Adams, Bob Clearmountain
Certification	Gold (Canada)
Bryan Adams singles chronology
"Somebody" (1985) "Heaven" (1985) "Summer of '69" (1985)
Music sample "Heaven"

Not to be confused with Thought I'd Died and Gone to Heaven, a 1992 single by the same artist.

"Heaven" is a power ballad by Canadian rock singer Bryan Adams, co-written by Adams and Jim Vallance. Heavily influenced by Journey's 1983 hit "Faithfully", the song was written while Adams served as the opening act on that band's Frontiers Tour, and features their drummer, Steve Smith. It first appeared on the A Night in Heaven soundtrack album in 1983 and was later included on Adams' album Reckless in 1984. It was released as the third single from Reckless and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in June 1985, over a year and a half after the song first appeared on record. The single was certified Gold in Canada in 1985.

Writing and recording

Adams had played over 100 dates with Journey during 1983, serving as the opening act on their Frontiers Tour. During that time, he and Jim Vallance co-wrote "Heaven", which was heavily inspired by the band's hit "Faithfully". It was recorded at The Power Station in New York City on June 6 and 7, 1983. Halfway through the recording session, drummer Mickey Curry – who had warned Adams about his limited availability that day – announced that he had to leave since he had committed in advance to a Hall & Oates session. Since the recording session for "Heaven" was running behind schedule, Adams called Journey drummer Steve Smith, who happened to be in New York at the time and he filled Curry's drumming position.

Adams was unconvinced that "Heaven" was suitable for Reckless, a feeling that was echoed by producer Jimmy Iovine, who was working with Adams at the time. Iovine thought the song was too 'light' for the album and recommended that Adams not include it. But at the last moment, Adams changed his mind.

Reception

In 1984 "Heaven" won the Procan Award (Performing Rights Organization of Canada) for Canadian radio airplay, in 1985 it won the BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) Citation of Achievement for U.S. radio airplay and ten years later it won a Socan Classics Award for more than 100,000 Canadian radio performances.

Track listings

• US 7" (A&M 2729)

1. "Heaven"
2. "Heaven" (live)

• US 12" promo (A&M SP-17318)

1. "Heaven"
2. "Heaven" (live)/"Kids Wanna Rock" (live)

• UK 7" (A&M AM256)

1. "Heaven"
2. "Diana"

• UK 12" (A&M AMY256)

1. "Heaven"/"Diana"
2. "Heaven" (live)/"Fits Ya Good"

Live tracks recorded at the Hollywood Palladium on February 1, 1985.

Chart performance

"Heaven" first appeared on the A Night in Heaven soundtrack album in 1983 and received substantial airplay on album-oriented rock radio stations, reaching number 9 on Billboard's Top Tracks chart in early 1984. It was released as the third single from the album Reckless in April 1985 and reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song also re-entered the Top Rock Tracks chart in 1985, peaking at number 27. "Heaven" also peaked at number 12 on the Adult Contemporary chart during its second run, becoming Adams' second single to reach that chart after "Straight from the Heart" in 1983, and his biggest AC hit until 1991.

In Canada "Heaven" was officially released to radio on January, 1985. The song reached the top twenty on the Canadian Singles Chart and remained in the top twenty for another month. "Heaven" was the highest charting single from Reckless.

The song was released in Australia, Europe and New Zealand in 1985. "Heaven" reached the UK top forty. "Heaven" continued the trend of higher-charting singles when it debuted and peaked at top twenty in most of the European countries in which it charted. Adams' previous singles had charted much weaker in Europe and "Heaven" would be Adams' first single to chart in mainland Europe.

Although "Heaven" reached the top ten in Sweden and Norway and then the top twenty in Austria, Ireland, Switzerland and Sweden, it was a moderate top hundred success in Germany where it peaked at number 62.

Music video

There were 2 videos, one shot at the Stanley Industrial Alliance Stage in Vancouver, Canada, and was directed by Steve Barron. That video includes appearances by Lysette Anthony and Michael Brandon. The second video was shot in London, England, and features Adams singing the song in a live concert setting; behind him, stacked video monitors show his band playing along. Video monitors also occupy each seat of the otherwise empty theater. The video was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography.

Personnel

• Bryan Adams – piano, percussion, lead vocals
• Keith Scott – guitar
• Rob Sabino – keyboards
• Dave Taylor – bass
• Steve Smith – drums

[1]

Chart positions

Chart (1985)	Peak positions
Belgium (VRT Top 30 Flanders)	22
Canada (RPM)	11
Germany (Media Control Charts)	28
Ireland (IRMA)	11
Netherlands (Mega Top 100)	28
New Zealand (RIANZ)	17
Norway (VG-lista)	3
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	8
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	14
United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company)	38
US Billboard Hot 100	1
US Billboard Adult Contemporary	12

Chart successions

Preceded by "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears

Bryan Adams version Billboard Hot 100 number-one single June 22 - June 29, 1985 (2 weeks)

Succeeded by "Sussudio" by Phil Collins

Cover versions

DJ Sammy version

"Heaven"
Single by DJ Sammy and Yanou featuring Do
from the album Heaven and Do
Released	May 21, 2002 (North America) November 21, 2001 (Europe) October 28, 2002 (UK)
Format	CD single
Recorded	2001
Genre	Vocal trance, Eurodance
Length	3:52
Label	Robbins/Sony BMG/Ministry of Sound/Data
Writer(s)	Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance
DJ Sammy singles chronology "In 2 Eternity" (1999) "Heaven" (2001) "Sunlight" (2002) Yanou singles chronology - "Heaven" (2002) "On & On" (2003) Do singles chronology - "Heaven" (2002) "Love Is Killing Me" (2004) Alternative cover Single cover for the "Candlelight Mix" version of the song

In 2002 DJ Sammy and Yanou released a dance cover of Heaven with vocals by Do. It was the second single of the album Heaven and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was subsequently featured in the Dance Dance Revolution series of video games. It re-entered the chart on the week of November 17, 2007. This version was sampled by Nina Sky in their 2009 hit, "Beautiful People". On October 28, 2009, over seven years after its release, the song was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for sales of over 500,000. Do performed the song with Westlife live in 2002 in UK. The song also appeared on a Malcolm In The Middle episode playing in the background when Hal is using the kitchen as his own salon.

Versions

Candlelight Mix

Because of the dance version's popularity, a stripped-down, ballad-like "Candlelight Mix" version was made and sung by Do, and received airplay on adult contemporary radio stations as well as CHR stations.

9/11 Remix

An unauthorized remix of the "Candlelight Mix" was made by KISS FM in Bakersfield, California to commemorate the first anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks. This remix features a 5 year old, kindergarten-aged girl talking about her father who presumably died in the attacks, with the original chorus intermittently playing. A popular Flash animation plays out this version of the song.

Although the monologue is based on a real event, the little girl's vocal was actually the daughter of a former KISS FM program director and did not know anything about the terrorist attacks at the time. The director wrote and read simple sentences for her and had her repeat them for him, with a little emotional prompting. The director edited his voice out on the track. This was one of the most requested songs in the station's history, and had all of the local market talking. It even crossed over to Clear Channel's other stations for a wider audience.

9/11 Remix 2011

Another unauthorized remix of the "Candlelight Mix" was also made by KLUC FM in Las Vegas to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the attacks. This remix followed the same theme as the original 9/11 remix. The song features three actresses, representing the first, fifth and tenth anniversaries of the attacks (ages 5, 9 and 14), with the original chorus intermittently playing. It was widely distributed to other stations owned by the CBS radio network.

Music video

The music video for the single features Yanou, DJ Sammy and Do viewed briefly from a TV. It was directed by Oliver Bradford. The video features two Asian girls, androgynous people and a black man. There is a second version, with extended scenes of a stationary Do singing.

Charts and certifications

Charts

Chart (2002–05)	Peak position
Australia (ARIA)	4
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)	16
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)	14
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)	36
Canada (Nielsen SoundScan)	7
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)	8
France (SNEP)	5
Germany (Media Control AG)	10
Ireland (IRMA)	3
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)	5
New Zealand (RIANZ)	41
Norway (VG-lista)	8
Romania (Romanian Top 100)	28
Spain (AFYVE)	16
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)	17
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)	39
United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company)	1
US Billboard Hot 100	8
US Pop Songs (Billboard)	4
US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard)	30
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)	21

Chart successions

Preceded by "Dilemma" by Nelly featuring Kelly Rowland

DJ Sammy version UK number-one single November 3, 2002 (1 week)

Succeeded by "Unbreakable" by Westlife

End of decade

Chart (2000–2009)	Position
United Kingdom (The Official Charts Company)	77

Sales and certifications

Provider	Sales	Certification
United States	500,000+	Gold

Other versions

"Heaven" has been covered by numerous artists.

• One of the original members of German electronic music band Scooter, covered the song in 1999.
• One of the first cover recordings of "Heaven" was by rock artist Gerd Rube on The Way I Feel (1992).
• During the taping of Oh Aaron: Live in Concert, Aaron Carter's older brother Nick Carter performed it live.
• Eyra Gail covered the song identically to DJ Sammy on the album Eyra Gail (2002).
• Pop singer Kate DeAraugo covered the song on A Place I've Never Been (2005).
• Scottish entertainer John Barrowman's version appears on his cover album Another Side (2007).
• Ruben Studdard also recorded a version as a bonus track for his fourth studio album, Love Is.
• Italian singer Martina Stavolo covered the song on her debut EP "Due Cose Importanti".
• DJ Manian covered the song with a series of remixes featuring Alia on the album Heaven (2007).
• David Archuleta performed "Heaven" as part of "Hollywood Week" during American Idol, Season 7.
• Korean singers Tiffany and Jessica, of the Korean girl band Girls' Generation, sang a live ballad re-edition of "Heaven" for a Mnet Live in 2008.
• Country music singer Jason Aldean covered the song live as a duet with Adams for CMT Crossroads in 2009, and later at the 2009 CMT Music Awards.
• The original DJ Sammy radio edit was sampled in 2009 to create Nina Sky's single "Beautiful People."
• In November 2009, Pitbull released "Pearly Gates," produced by Jim Jonsin, on the mixtape International Takeover: The United Nations, which covers the "Heaven" chorus as sung by Nayer.
• Singaporean singer Olivia Ong covered "Heaven." and included the song in her self-titled album Olivia.
• "Heaven" is the fifth track of Brandi Carlile's Valentine's Day EP XOBC.
• In the middle 1980s, Michael Damian and Tracey E. Bregman, in their respective characters of Dante Daniel "Danny" Romalotti and Lauren Fenmore, interpreted "Heaven" as a duet in an installment of The Young And The Restless, of which they were both cast members at the time.^{[citation needed]}
• Erika Van Pelt performed "Heaven" as part of the Top 11 during American Idol (season 11),
• During the PBS special, Believe, Chloë Agnew performed, with Cormac Ahidan on Tin Whistle, this version recently on December 1, 2011.

External links

• Full lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics