Two Tickets to Paradise
Encyclopedia
"Two Tickets to Paradise" is a song by American rock singer, Eddie Money
, from his 1977 album Eddie Money
. It was released as a single in June 1978 and reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100
.
record single version of the song is considerably different from the now more familiar LP version that appears on the Eddie Money album, a vast number of Money compilation albums and MP3 digital downloads as Money had re-recorded his entire lead vocal for the 45 RPM edition. The LP version is broken up in three verses, two choruses, with a harmony section of "Whoa Whoa" right before the third verse, while the re-recorded 45 RPM version is now three verses, three choruses, (with the third verse sang over the "Whoa" harmony segment), also added were guitar riffs during the "waited so long" parts; also lyrics were changed to the chorus slightly, as instead of saying "I've got two tickets to paradise, I've got two tickets to paradise" right after saying "pack your bags, we leave tonight" is now "Baby, it'll be so nice, for I've got two tickets to paradise". The mix is also substantially different, and new and different lead guitar parts appear throughout. Lastly, the LP version ends with a conclusive bongo/drum ending; whereas the 45 version uses a "fade away rhythm," dj style close. The 45 RPM version runs at 3:07 minutes. Most U.S. radio stations, inclusively, air the wider available LP version, where radio stations that specifically only format the hit-single versions of oldies, will digitize themselves the 45 RPM record for airplay. The 45 RPM version has been reissued on the Playlist: The Very Best of Eddie Money compilation CD. The guitar solo was performed by Jimmy Lyon
.
, on the fictional radio station K-DST, and on an episode of the TV show Unhitched
. The song also appears in the episode "Homer Loves Flanders
" of The Simpsons
, in which Homer
sings and plays the air guitar
to the rock song. Michael Scott
of The Office sings a short, parodied version of the song in the episode "A Benihana Christmas
". It was also featured in an episode of The King of Queens
where Doug Heffernan
and Deacon Palmer
attempt to spend $5000 in one day, and they hire Eddie to play in Doug's living room. The song can be heard as a background number in the film, Sideways
. In one of the beginning scenes of Balls of Fury
, Randy's co-performing counterpart can be seen (and heard) singing a karaoke version of the song with a parrot.
Eddie Money
Eddie Money is an American rock guitarist, saxophonist and singer-songwriter who found success in the 1970s and 1980s with a string of Top 40 hits and platinum albums...
, from his 1977 album Eddie Money
Eddie Money (album)
Eddie Money is the self titled debut album by American musician Eddie Money originally released in 1977. Containing two songs that achieved generous radio airplay , the album peaked at #37 on the charts, establishing Money as a successful artist...
. It was released as a single in June 1978 and reached number 22 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...
.
Background and content
Money wrote the song about his girlfriend at the time. His girlfriend's mother wanted her to marry a doctor or a lawyer, not a musician. Money wrote the song as plea to take her away.Release
The 45 RPMSingle (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
record single version of the song is considerably different from the now more familiar LP version that appears on the Eddie Money album, a vast number of Money compilation albums and MP3 digital downloads as Money had re-recorded his entire lead vocal for the 45 RPM edition. The LP version is broken up in three verses, two choruses, with a harmony section of "Whoa Whoa" right before the third verse, while the re-recorded 45 RPM version is now three verses, three choruses, (with the third verse sang over the "Whoa" harmony segment), also added were guitar riffs during the "waited so long" parts; also lyrics were changed to the chorus slightly, as instead of saying "I've got two tickets to paradise, I've got two tickets to paradise" right after saying "pack your bags, we leave tonight" is now "Baby, it'll be so nice, for I've got two tickets to paradise". The mix is also substantially different, and new and different lead guitar parts appear throughout. Lastly, the LP version ends with a conclusive bongo/drum ending; whereas the 45 version uses a "fade away rhythm," dj style close. The 45 RPM version runs at 3:07 minutes. Most U.S. radio stations, inclusively, air the wider available LP version, where radio stations that specifically only format the hit-single versions of oldies, will digitize themselves the 45 RPM record for airplay. The 45 RPM version has been reissued on the Playlist: The Very Best of Eddie Money compilation CD. The guitar solo was performed by Jimmy Lyon
Jimmy Lyon
Jimmy Lyon is an American rock guitarist.Lyon is known primarily as the guitarist for Eddie Money in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and as a member of the Greg Kihn Band in the early 1990s....
.
In popular culture
"Two Tickets to Paradise" has been used in the video game, Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
, on the fictional radio station K-DST, and on an episode of the TV show Unhitched
Unhitched
Unhitched is an American television comedy that aired as a mid-season replacement on Fox from March 2, 2008 to March 30, 2008. The series was originally scheduled to premiere at 9:30 pm ET, but aired 30 minutes later due to the runover of Nascar. The show is created by Kevin Barnett, Mike Bernier...
. The song also appears in the episode "Homer Loves Flanders
Homer Loves Flanders
"Homer Loves Flanders" is the sixteenth episode of The Simpsons fifth season. It originally aired on the Fox network in the United States on March 17, 1994. In the episode, Ned Flanders helps Homer Simpson get tickets to a football game...
" of The Simpsons
The Simpsons
The Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
, in which Homer
Homer Simpson
Homer Jay Simpson is a fictional character in the animated television series The Simpsons and the patriarch of the eponymous family. He is voiced by Dan Castellaneta and first appeared on television, along with the rest of his family, in The Tracey Ullman Show short "Good Night" on April 19, 1987...
sings and plays the air guitar
Air guitar
Playing air guitar is a form of dance and movement in which the performer pretends to play rock or heavy metal-style electric guitar, including riffs, solos, etc. Playing an air guitar usually consists of exaggerated strumming and picking motions and is often coupled with loud singing or lip-synching...
to the rock song. Michael Scott
Michael Scott (The Office)
Michael Gary Scott is a fictional character on NBC's The Office, portrayed by Steve Carell, and based on David Brent from the original British version. Michael, the central character of the series, was the manager of the Scranton branch of paper and printer distribution company Dunder Mifflin Inc...
of The Office sings a short, parodied version of the song in the episode "A Benihana Christmas
A Benihana Christmas
"A Benihana Christmas" is the tenth and eleventh episode of the third season of the American comedy television series The Office, and the thirty-eighth episode overall. It was written by Jennifer Celotta and directed by Harold Ramis...
". It was also featured in an episode of The King of Queens
The King of Queens
The King of Queens is an American sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007.This show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television ,and CBS Television Studios in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures...
where Doug Heffernan
Doug Heffernan
Douglas Steven "Doug" Heffernan is a fictional character in the American situation comedy The King of Queens. The character has also appeared in Everybody Loves Raymond, Becker, and Cosby....
and Deacon Palmer
Deacon Palmer
Deacon John Palmer is a fictional character on TV's The King of Queens. The character is played by Victor Williams.Deacon is best friends with Doug Heffernan . He and Doug both work at IPS . They work for Supervisor Patrick O'Boyle .Deacon is married to Kelly Palmer...
attempt to spend $5000 in one day, and they hire Eddie to play in Doug's living room. The song can be heard as a background number in the film, Sideways
Sideways
Sideways is a 2004 comedy-drama film written by Jim Taylor and Alexander Payne and directed by Payne. Adapted from Rex Pickett's 2004 novel of the same name, Sideways follows two forty-something year old men, portrayed by Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, who take a week-long road trip to...
. In one of the beginning scenes of Balls of Fury
Balls of Fury
Balls of Fury is a 2007 American sports comedy film starring Dan Fogler and Christopher Walken. It was directed by Ben Garant and was released on August 29, 2007.-Plot:...
, Randy's co-performing counterpart can be seen (and heard) singing a karaoke version of the song with a parrot.
Chart positions
| Charts (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. 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... |
22 |
| Canadian RPM Top Singles | 14 |