Heaven (Talking Heads song)

"Heaven" is a song by the American new wave band Talking Heads from their 1979 album Fear of Music. The lyrics refer to heaven as a "place where nothing ever happens", and describe a bar, a party, and a kiss. The song has been called "the calm after their unusual ominous storm" by AllMusic[1] as well as something "psychologists would certainly have a field day with" by author and The Guardian journalist Ian Gittins.[2]

"Heaven"
Song by Talking Heads
from the album Fear of Music
ReleasedAugust 3, 1979 (1979-08-03)
Length4:01
LabelSire
Songwriter(s)David Byrne, Jerry Harrison
Producer(s)Brian Eno, Talking Heads
Audio
"Heaven (2005 Remaster)" on YouTube
Jerry Harrison and David Byrne (right), the songwriters, performing in August 1978 at Jay's Longhorn Bar, Minneapolis

Dave Bell, writing for quarterly UK magazine Ceasefire, argued that the song "epitomises pop as Samuel Beckett might write it: tedious, beautiful and desperate".[3]

Cover versions

In 1996 the song was covered by Jimmy Scott who also made it the title track of his album, Heaven.[4][5][6]

The song was covered by Eric Burdon on his 2004 album My Secret Life[7][8] and in 1985 by Simply Red for their album Picture Book.[9][10]

In 1980, a german cover named "Der Weg in die Ferne" was recorded by Joachim Witt for his album Silberblick.

Singer Q Lazzarus covered 'Heaven' for the film Philadelphia, in 1993. This song has never been available in its complete form.

References
  1. "Heaven - Talking Heads", Allmusic.com.
  2. Gittins, Ian (2004). Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime: The Stories Behind Every Song. Hal Leonard Corporation. p. 57. ISBN 9780634080333. Link
  3. "Deserter's Songs: A Place Where Nothing Ever Happens". Ceasefire Magazine. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
  4. "Heaven - Little Jimmy Scott | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  5. Terrell, Tom. "Jimmy Scott: Heaven". JazzTimes.
  6. "Jimmy Scott - Heaven". Archived from the original on 2021-12-21 – via www.youtube.com.
  7. "Heaven - Eric Burdon | Song Info | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  8. Heaven on YouTube
  9. Heaven on YouTube
  10. "Picture Book - Simply Red | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
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