Heaven is a Place on Earth
Encyclopedia
"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is the title of a song recorded by Belinda Carlisle
, the lead singer of The Go-Go's
. Written by Rick Nowels
and Ellen Shipley
, and interpolating the aria
"Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh'" from Johann Sebastian Bach
's Christmas Oratorio
, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100
on December 5, 1987, becoming Carlisle's only U.S. chart-topper with or without The Go-Go's. A month later it hit number one on the UK Singles Chart
and held the spot for two weeks. The song reached number one in many other countries, among them Switzerland, Ireland, Sweden, South Africa and Norway. The song also reached number three in Germany, number two in Australia, and number six in Italy. It is widely considered to be Carlisle's signature song
because of its success on the charts and its continued relevance today. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
.
and features an appearance of Carlisle's husband Morgan Mason
. It also features children wearing black masks and a cape while each of them holding an illuminated plastic globe. Carlisle appeared wearing a sampo
and later changed to a black off-the-shoulder blouse. The video was partially filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain
theme park in Valencia, California, on the Spin Out ride.
of The Mamas & the Papas
and songwriter Diane Warren
. It also featured Thomas Dolby
on keyboards.
Belinda Carlisle
Belinda Jo Carlisle is an American singer who gained worldwide fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's, one of the most successful all-female bands and the first such group whose members wrote their own songs and played their own instruments...
, the lead singer of The Go-Go's
The Go-Go's
The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
. Written by Rick Nowels
Rick Nowels
Richard Wright Nowels Jr. is a Grammy / Ivor Novello award-winning songwriter/producer who has worked with many of the most vibrant artists in contemporary music...
and Ellen Shipley
Ellen Shipley
Ellen Shipley, born 24 March 1949 in New York, is a US musician and songwriter.-Biography:Shipley is best known for work with Rick Nowels. Together they've written for Kim Wilde and worked on the Belinda Carlisle albums Belinda, Heaven on Earth, Runaway Horses, and Live Your Life Be Free...
, and interpolating the aria
Aria
An aria in music was originally any expressive melody, usually, but not always, performed by a singer. The term is now used almost exclusively to describe a self-contained piece for one voice usually with orchestral accompaniment...
"Schlafe, mein Liebster, genieße der Ruh'" from Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
's Christmas Oratorio
Christmas Oratorio
The Christmas Oratorio BWV 248, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach intended for performance in church during the Christmas season. It was written for the Christmas season of 1734 incorporating music from earlier compositions, including three secular cantatas written during 1733 and 1734 and a...
, it hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
on December 5, 1987, becoming Carlisle's only U.S. chart-topper with or without The Go-Go's. A month later it hit number one on the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
and held the spot for two weeks. The song reached number one in many other countries, among them Switzerland, Ireland, Sweden, South Africa and Norway. The song also reached number three in Germany, number two in Australia, and number six in Italy. It is widely considered to be Carlisle's signature song
Signature song
A signature song is the one song that a popular and well-established singer or band is most closely identified with or best known for, even if they have had success with a variety of songs...
because of its success on the charts and its continued relevance today. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance
The Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance is the latest in a series of awards recognizing superior vocal performance by a female in the pop category, the first of which was presented in 1959. The award goes to the artist...
.
Track listing
- "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"
- "We Can Change"
- "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Heavenly version)
- "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (A cappellaA cappellaA cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
version)
Music video
The promotional video was directed by Academy Award-winning actress Diane KeatonDiane Keaton
Diane Keaton is an American film actress, director, producer, and screenwriter. Keaton began her career on stage, and made her screen debut in 1970...
and features an appearance of Carlisle's husband Morgan Mason
Morgan Mason
Alexander Morgan Mason is a politician, film producer and actor. He was born in Beverly Hills, California, and is the son of the late Academy award-nominated British actor James Mason and his wife Pamela Mason, actress and commentator. He is a former Acting Chief of Protocol of the United States,...
. It also features children wearing black masks and a cape while each of them holding an illuminated plastic globe. Carlisle appeared wearing a sampo
Sampo
In Finnish mythology, the Sampo or Sammas was a magical artifact of indeterminate type constructed by Ilmarinen that brought good fortune to its holder...
and later changed to a black off-the-shoulder blouse. The video was partially filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Six Flags Magic Mountain is a theme park located in Valencia, California north of Los Angeles. It opened on Memorial Day weekend on May 30, 1971 as Magic Mountain, by the Newhall Land and Farming Company. In 1979, Six Flags purchased the park and added the name Six Flags to the park's title. In...
theme park in Valencia, California, on the Spin Out ride.
Production
Carlisle's backup vocalists on the track include songwriters Nowels and Shipley as well as Michelle PhillipsMichelle Phillips
Michelle Phillips is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She gained fame as a member of the 1960s group The Mamas & the Papas, and is the last surviving original member of the group.-Early life:...
of The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
and songwriter Diane Warren
Diane Warren
Diane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
. It also featured Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby
Thomas Dolby is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!", he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician.-Early life:Dolby was born in London, England, contrary to information in early 1980s...
on keyboards.
Charts
| Chart | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Canadian Adult Contemporary (RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... ) |
5 |
| Canadian Top Singles (RPM RPM (magazine) RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,... ) |
3 |
| Ireland (Irish Singles Chart Irish Singles Chart The Irish Singles Chart is Ireland's music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by the Irish Recorded Music Association and compiled on behalf of the IRMA by Chart-Track. Chart rankings are based on sales, which are compiled through over-the-counter retail data captured... ) |
1 |
In the media
- At the beginning of MadonnaMadonna (entertainer)Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
's 1991 documentary Truth or DareTruth or Dare (documentary)Madonna: Truth or Dare is a 1991 American documentary film chronicling the life of American singer-songwriter Madonna during her 1990 Blond Ambition World Tour...
, Madonna's then back up singers Niki HarisNiki HarisNiki Haris is an American actress, dancer, and singer of pop, R&B, Dance music and jazz, perhaps best known for having been one of Madonna's backing vocalists from 1987 to 2001.-Early life and family:...
and Donna De Lory sing the chorus of the song, much to Madonna's disgust. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" was used in a past advert for UK holiday park chain Haven as a play on the word 'heaven'.
- In Sweden, the song has often been recurring during the music breaks in the sports broadcastings in Sveriges Radio P4Sveriges Radio P4SR P4 is one of the four main radio networks from Sveriges Radio. It targets the entire population and is the corporation's most popular radio channel. In the daytime on weekdays its is used by 25 different local stations, but in the evening and weekends it broadcasts national programming...
- "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay as they explored AmsterdamAmsterdamAmsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used in the 2003 film What a Girl WantsWhat a Girl Wants (film)What a Girl Wants is a 2003 film starring Amanda Bynes, Colin Firth, Kelly Preston and Oliver James. Directed by Dennie Gordon, the film is a remake of the 1958 film, The Reluctant Debutante which had a screenplay by William Douglas-Home, based on his play of the same name.The title, "What a Girl...
as Libby (Amanda BynesAmanda BynesAmanda Laura Bynes is an American actress, comedian, singer, and fashion designer. Bynes appeared in several successful television series, such as All That and The Amanda Show, on Nickelodeon in the mid to late 1990s and early 2000s, and in 2002, she starred in the TV series, What I Like About You...
)'s mother (Kelly PrestonKelly PrestonKelly Preston is an American actress and former model.- Early years :Preston was born Kelly Kamalelehua Smith in Honolulu, Hawaii. Her mother, Linda, was an administrator of a mental health center, and her father, who worked for an agricultural firm, drowned when Preston was three years old...
) sang at a wedding at the beginning of the movie. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used in Wild Child (2008)Wild Child (film)Wild Child is a 2008 American/British/French teen romantic dramedy film starring Emma Roberts, Alex Pettyfer and Natasha Richardson. The film made its American television premiere on ABC Family on August 8, 2010.-Plot:...
. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used at the end of Romy and Michele's High School ReunionRomy and Michele's High School ReunionRomy and Michele's High School Reunion is a 1997 comedy film starring Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, Janeane Garofalo, Camryn Manheim, and Alan Cumming directed by David Mirkin. The plot revolves around two 28-year-old women who appear to have achieved very little success in life and decide to invent...
. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used in the gay bar scene of American WeddingAmerican WeddingAmerican Wedding is a 2003 comedy film that is a sequel to American Pie and American Pie 2 as part of the American Pie series. It was written by Adam Herz and directed by Jesse Dylan...
. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used in the film Safe.
- "Heaven Is a Place on Earth (German Election Mix)" was featured in Dancemania Covers 01Dancemania CoversDancemania Covers is a sub-series of the Dancemania compilation series, with various famous songs remixed and covered by various dance music acts.-Dancemania Covers:Dancemania Covers was released on July 16, 1997.-Dancemania Covers 2:...
and Dance Dance Revolution: SuperNOVA, with the artist listed as Julia. - "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" can be faintly heard in the movie Sleepover.
- "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is used in the scene where Jamie and Bruce open the trunk of the car and take out viagra and Bruce says "Let the games begin!" in the movie Love and Other DrugsLove and Other DrugsLove and Other Drugs is a 2010 romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Edward Zwick and based on the non-fiction book Hard Sell: The Evolution of a Viagra Salesman by Jamie Reidy...
.
Cover versions
- The ShadowsThe ShadowsThe Shadows are a British pop group with a total of 69 UK hit-charted singles: 35 as 'The Shadows' and 34 as 'Cliff Richard and the Shadows', from the 1950s to the 2000s. Cliff Richard in casual conversation with the British rock press frequently refers to the Shadows by their nickname: 'The Shads'...
did an instrumental of the song in 1989 on Steppin' to the Shadows. - Numerous dance versions of the song have been released by different artists including Nicki FrenchNicki FrenchNicola S. French is a female English singer and dancer. She is best known for her 1995 dance cover version of "Total Eclipse of the Heart", and for representing the United Kingdom in 2000 at Eurovision in Stockholm.-Career:French provided backing vocals on Rose-Marie's 1992 album, Emotional Exposure...
, Becky BaelingBecky BaelingBecky Baeling is an American singer/recording artist, actress, producer and television host.- Early life :Baeling was born in Rochester Hills, Michigan, as Rebecca Diane Bahling, the daughter of Wanda and Garry Bahling, a Brigadier General F-16 fighter pilot in the Air National Guard and an...
on her debut 2003 album Becstasy, and DJ Lhasa. - Pop punk band Student RickStudent RickStudent Rick was a pop punk band from South Bend, Indiana that consisted of Adam Reiter , Brett Jones , Jason Pavilanis , and Zach Davis . They were most known for their song "Falling for You" from the Victory Records release Soundtrack For A Generation, which was featured in the video game...
covered the song. - Ashley TisdaleAshley TisdaleAshley Michelle Tisdale is an American actress and singer who rose to prominence portraying the candy-counter girl Maddie Fitzpatrick in Disney Channel's The Suite Life of Zack & Cody and the female antagonist Sharpay Evans in the High School Musical film series...
recorded a version. - The Clique GirlzClique GirlzClique Girlz were an American girl group consisting of sisters Destinee and Paris Monroe and Ariel Moore. The group split up in 2009.-2004–2007: as Clique:...
recorded a version for their album. - GregorianGregorian (band)Gregorian is a German band headed by Frank Peterson that performs Gregorian chant-inspired versions of modern pop and rock songs. The band features both vocal harmony and instrumental accompaniment.- Band history :...
recorded a cover on their album Masters of Chant Chapter IVMasters of Chant Chapter IVMasters of Chant IV is the fifth album by German band Gregorian.-Track listing:# "The Gift" # "Bridge over Troubled Water" # "With or Without You"... - Cyndi LauperCyndi LauperCynthia Ann Stephanie "Cyndi" Lauper is an American singer, songwriter, actress and LGBT rights activist. She achieved success in the mid-1980s with the release of the album She's So Unusual and became the first female singer to have four top-five singles released from one album...
recorded a version. - Italian folk metal band ElvenkingElvenking (band)Elvenking is a folk/power metal band from Italy. As of 2010, the band has released one demo, one single, and six full-length studio albums.- Biography :...
covered the song on their 2008 album Two Tragedy Poets (...and a Caravan of Weird Figures)Two Tragedy Poets (...and a Caravan of Weird Figures)Two Tragedy Poets is the fifth studio album by Italian folk metal band Elvenking. It was released through AFM Records on November 14, 2008.... - The ChipettesThe ChipettesThe Chipettes are a fictional group of anthropomorphic chipmunk singers first appearing on the cartoon series Alvin and the Chipmunks in 1983. In this and related materials, the Chipettes served as female featured characters in their own right, starring in numerous episodes...
included a version of the song on their album Born to RockThe Chipmunks and The Chipettes: Born to RockThe Chipmunks and The Chipettes: Born to Rock is a music album by The Chipmunks and The Chipettes, released in 1988 on LP and in 1990 on CD and cassette by Quality Special Products...
in 1988. - MillionairesMillionaires (band)Millionaires is a group consisting of two sisters, Melissa Marie and Allison Green, from Orange County, California. The group, formed in August 2007, was widely known for mixing heavily explicit lyrics with a bubbly electropop sound. Their image and lyrics have generated considerable controversy,...
sampled the song and released it under the name "The One". - MxPxMxPxMxPx is a pop punk band from Bremerton, Washington with connections to the Christian punk scene. The band has recorded eight studio albums, four EPs, four compilation albums, a live album, a VHS tape, a DVD and released 20 singles....
covered the song on their 2009 album On the Cover IIOn the Cover IIOn the Cover II is an album of song covers by pop punk band MxPx, like On the Cover. The album features covers of various 80s songs. Beginning on February 9, 2009, feature artists were announced, one per day, on Alternative Press' website....
. - Virus Inc covered the song in 2005.
Sampling
- A looped sampleSampling (music)In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of the song's opening chorusRefrainA refrain is the line or lines that are repeated in music or in verse; the "chorus" of a song...
(also played backwards) is used in live appearances of the composition "Halcyon + On + On"Halcyon (Orbital song)"Halcyon" is a song written and performed by Orbital. The song features a backmasked vocal sample by Kirsty Hawkshaw from "It's a Fine Day" by Opus III . Ed Barton, the composer of "It's a Fine Day", receives a co-writing credit for the track...
by the British electronic musicElectronic musicElectronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
duo OrbitalOrbital (band)Orbital are a British electronic dance music duo from Sevenoaks, England consisting of brothers Phil and Paul Hartnoll. Their career initially ran from 1989 until 2004, but in 2009 they announced that they would be reforming and headlining The Big Chill, in addition to a number of other live shows...
. It has been documented on a 20072007 in musicThis is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame...
album Orbital: Live at Glastonbury 1994-2004Orbital: Live at Glastonbury 1994-2004Orbital: Live at Glastonbury 1994-2004 is a collection of rare live recordings containing over two hours of music and video recorded from Orbital's performances at the Glastonbury Festival over the course of a decade of appearances there....
. - Girl TalkGirl Talk (musician)Gregg Michael Gillis , better known by his stage name Girl Talk, is an American musician specializing in mashups and digital sampling. Gillis has released five LPs on the record label Illegal Art and EPs on 333 and 12 Apostles....
samples the song on his album All Day. - MikaMika (singer)Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
samples the song on his album The Boy Who Knew Too MuchThe Boy Who Knew Too Much (album)The Boy Who Knew Too Much is the second studio album by singer Mika. It was released on 21 September 2009, under Casablanca Records in the United States and Polydor and Island Records in the United Kingdom.-Background:...
.
External links
- Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth music video posted on YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
by Universal Music GroupUniversal Music GroupUniversal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
. - Belinda Carlisle - A Place On Earth.
- Belinda discusses "Heaven Is A Place On Earth" - RetroRewind interview