If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away
Encyclopedia
"If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" is the title of a song written by Dallas Davidson
, Rob Hatch and Brett Jones. It was first recorded by American country artist Rhett Akins
, whose version was released as a single in September 2006 but did not chart. Justin Moore
covered the song and released it as a single in February 2011 as the lead-off single to his second studio album, Outlaws Like Me
. Moore's cover is his fifth single release, his third Top Ten country hit, and his second Number One single.
Other deceaseds the man thinks about connecting with include a cousin, John (who was killed in action in Vietnam); his hunting dog, three teen-aged girls who were classmates of his, and singers Hank Williams and Janis Joplin
. With the latter two, the man says he would ask Williams why he took pills that eventually killed him, while Joplin would be asked to sing the second verse of "Me and Bobby McGee
."
The central theme is the ability to cross the mortal divide and reconnect with loved ones lost long ago.
of USA Today
gave the song a positive review, calling it "a tearjerker in the classic country mold." Giving it a thumbs up, Karlie Justus of The 9513 noted the "small details" of the first verse and Moore's "easy twang," but thought that the second verse was not as well-written.
Dallas Davidson
Dallas Davidson is an American country music singer-songwriter.Davidson moved to Nashville, Tennessee in 2004 and joined Broadcast Music Incorporated for performing rights representation and signed a publishing deal with Big Borassa Music, which is administered worldwide by Third Tier Music.Trace...
, Rob Hatch and Brett Jones. It was first recorded by American country artist Rhett Akins
Rhett Akins
Thomas Rhett Akins Sr. is an American country singer and songwriter. Signed to Decca Records between 1994 and 1997, he released two albums for the label , followed by 1998's What Livin's All About on MCA Nashville. Friday Night in Dixie was released in 2002 on Audium Entertainment...
, whose version was released as a single in September 2006 but did not chart. Justin Moore
Justin Moore (singer)
Justin Cole Moore is an American country music singer and songwriter signed to Big Machine Records imprint Valory Music Group. He has released two albums for Big Machine Records: Justin Moore in 2009 and Outlaws Like Me in 2011...
covered the song and released it as a single in February 2011 as the lead-off single to his second studio album, Outlaws Like Me
Outlaws Like Me
-Album:-Singles:*A Current single.-References:...
. Moore's cover is his fifth single release, his third Top Ten country hit, and his second Number One single.
Background
Moore said that he chose to record the song because he thought that it was "one of those songs you hear one time, and know immediately that it’s special."Content
"If Heaven Wasn't So Far Away" is a ballad in which a young man fantasizes about being able to spend a day in Heaven, visiting friends and family members who have died. The man begins his fantasy when he drives across a bridge near a fishing spot where he and his grandfather spent time and bonded, and the grandfather also operated a fruit stand. Now a family man, he wonders what his children would think of their great-grandfather upon meeting him.Other deceaseds the man thinks about connecting with include a cousin, John (who was killed in action in Vietnam); his hunting dog, three teen-aged girls who were classmates of his, and singers Hank Williams and Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin
Janis Lyn Joplin was an American singer, songwriter, painter, dancer and music arranger. She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company and later as a solo artist with her backing groups, The Kozmic Blues Band and The Full Tilt Boogie Band...
. With the latter two, the man says he would ask Williams why he took pills that eventually killed him, while Joplin would be asked to sing the second verse of "Me and Bobby McGee
Me and Bobby McGee
"Me and Bobby McGee" is a song written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster, originally performed by Roger Miller. Others performed the song later, including Kristofferson himself, and Janis Joplin who topped the U.S. singles chart with the song in 1971 after her death, making the song the second...
."
The central theme is the ability to cross the mortal divide and reconnect with loved ones lost long ago.
Critical reception
Brian MansfieldBrian Mansfield
Brian Mansfield is an American writer and journalist. A longtime music writer and critic for USA Today, Mansfield is also the writer/producer of syndicated weekly radio program America's Opry Weekend for American radio network Dial Global Radio Networks and author and co-author of a number of books...
of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
gave the song a positive review, calling it "a tearjerker in the classic country mold." Giving it a thumbs up, Karlie Justus of The 9513 noted the "small details" of the first verse and Moore's "easy twang," but thought that the second verse was not as well-written.
Chart performance
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|