Heaven Is a Place on Earth explained

Heaven Is a Place on Earth
Cover:HeavenIsAPlaceOnEarth.jpg
Type:single
Artist:Belinda Carlisle
Album:Heaven on Earth
B-Side:We Can Change
Released:[1]
Studio:Ocean Way (Hollywood)
Genre:
Length:
  • (album version)
  • (radio edit/7-inch)
  • (The Heavenly version/12-inch)
Label:MCA
Producer:Rick Nowels
Prev Title:Dancing in the City
Prev Year:1987
Next Title:I Get Weak
Next Year:1988

"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" is a single by American singer Belinda Carlisle from her second studio album, Heaven on Earth (1987). Written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, the song was released as the lead single from the album on September 14, 1987, and it reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on December 5, 1987, becoming Carlisle's only US chart-topper to date. A month later it peaked at number one in the United Kingdom, where it held the top spot of the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. In Australia it peaked at number 2. It is considered to be Carlisle's signature song.

The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1988, but lost out to Whitney Houston's "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)". In 2017, ShortList's Dave Fawbert listed the song as containing "one of the greatest key changes in music history".[4]

In 2015, Carlisle re-recorded the song as an acoustic ballad. This version appeared on her album Wilder Shores (2017), which combines acoustic tracks with world beats and traditional Sikh chants.

Composition

Sheet music for "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" sets the key of C minor (B minor for the pre-chorus), with a tempo of 123 beats per minute in common time (sheet music originally published in the key of A major). Carlisle's vocals span from E3 to D5. During the final chorus of the song, the key modulates to D minor.[5] [6]

Production

Carlisle's backup vocalists on the song include songwriters Nowels and Shipley as well as Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips, and songwriter Diane Warren. It also features Thomas Dolby on synthesizers.

Critical reception

A review in Pan-European magazine Music & Media described "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" as being "a truly uplifting song, sporting an enjoyable and irresistible chorus".[7] Jerry Smith of British magazine Music Week deemed the song a "glossy, and ultimately very commercial, number", and a potential hit.[8]

Chart performance

"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the Adult Contemporary chart. It was also a number-one hit in the United Kingdom, topping the UK Singles Chart for two weeks. The single also reached number one in many other countries, among them Switzerland, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Sweden, South Africa and Norway. It also reached number three in Germany and Canada, number two in Australia, and number six in Italy. It reached gold status in Canada and platinum status in the United Kingdom.

Music video

The promotional music video for the song was directed by actress Diane Keaton and includes an appearance by Carlisle's husband Morgan Mason.[9] It features children wearing black masks and capes, and holding illuminated plastic globes. Carlisle appears wearing a strapless dress and later changes to a black off-the-shoulder blouse. The video was partially filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park in Valencia, California (now Santa Clarita, California), on the now-defunct Spin Out ride.

Track listings

7-inch and cassette single[10] [11]

  1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" – 3:49
  2. "We Can Change" – 3:45

US and Canadian 12-inch single[12]

A1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (The Heavenly version) – 5:59

B1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Down the Earth dub) – 5:25

B2. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (The Voice) – 3:51

UK, European, and Australian 12-inch single[13] [14]

A1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Heavenly version) – 5:59

B1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" – 3:49

B2. "We Can Change" – 3:45

Japanese 12-inch single[15]

A1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Heavenly version)

B1. "We Can Change"

B2. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"UK CD single[16]

  1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"
  2. "We Can Change"
  3. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Heavenly version)
  4. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (a cappella version)

Australian cassette single[17]

A1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"

A2. "We Can Change"

A3. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"

B1. "We Can Change"

B2. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (Heavenly version)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1987–1988)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Australia (Australian Music Report)[18] 2
Denmark (Tracklisten)[19] 3
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[20] 1
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[21] 3
France (IFOP)[22] 58
Iceland (Íslenski Listinn Topp 10)[23] 7
Italy (Musica e dischi)[24] 6
Portugal (AFYVE)[25] 2
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[26] 1
Spain (AFYVE)[27] 10
US Cash Box Top 100 Singles[28] 1
Zimbabwe (ZIMA)[29] 1
Chart (2023)! scope="col"
Peak
position
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[30] 55

Year-end charts

Chart (1987)! scope="col"
Position
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[31] 36
Chart (1988)! scope="col"
Position
Australia (ARIA)[32] 11
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[33] 30
Canada Top Singles (RPM)[34] 99
Europe (European Airplay Top 50)[35] 16
Europe (European Hot 100 Singles)[36] 22
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[37] 61
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[38] 81
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[39] 9
South Africa (Springbok Radio)[40] 4
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[41] 8
UK Singles (Gallup)[42] 17
US Billboard Hot 100[43] 7
West Germany (Official German Charts)[44] 38

In popular culture

The song appears in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008), Love & Other Drugs (2010), and the Black Mirror episode "San Junipero" (2016),[46] and it is sung by the protagonist June Osbourne in the Handmaid’s Tale episode “Heroic” (2019).[47] The song is referenced in Lana Del Rey's 2011 debut single "Video Games".[48] The artist as well as the song are referenced in "Belinda Says", from Canadian band Alvvays' 2022 album Blue Rev.

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Strong, M. C.. The Great Rock Discography. registration. 1995. Canongate Books Ltd. Edinburgh. 0-86241-385-0. 329.
  2. News: Troy L. . Smith . Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best . . May 13, 2021 . January 30, 2023 . June 19, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210619123357/https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2021/05/every-no-1-song-of-the-1980s-ranked-from-mad-bogus-to-totally-bodacious.html . live .
  3. Web site: Tom. Ewing. May 10, 2010. Belinda Carlisle - "Heaven is a Place on Earth". Freaky Trigger. August 2, 2022. August 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220813173737/https://freakytrigger.co.uk/popular/2010/05/belinda-carlisle-heaven-is-a-place-on-earth/#debug5. live.
  4. Web site: The 19 greatest key changes in music history. ShortList. October 1, 2017. January 13, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180114073845/https://www.shortlist.com/entertainment/music/the-best-key-changes-music/329120. January 14, 2018. live.
  5. Web site: Belinda Carlisle "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" Sheet Music in A Major (transposable) - Download & Print. Shipley. Ellen. Musicnotes.com. September 15, 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20170316115243/http://www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0067790. March 16, 2017. live. March 16, 2017.
  6. Web site: Heaven Is a Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle . Spot On Track. March 16, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170316204104/http://www.spotontrack.com/track/heaven-is-a-place-on-earth/32458. March 16, 2017. live.
  7. Previews – Singles. Music & Media. 5. 51. December 26, 1987. 38. 29800226. World Radio History. September 4, 2023. March 8, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210308064410/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M%26M-1987-12-26.pdf. live.
  8. Singles . Jerry . Smith . . December 12, 1987 . 21 . World Radio History . September 11, 2023 . August 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230806013632/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1987/Music-Week-1987-12-12.pdf . live .
  9. Web site: Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth (1987). IMVDb.com. May 23, 2023. November 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221116214729/https://imvdb.com/video/belinda-carlisle/heaven-is-a-place-on-earth. live.
  10. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. US 7-inch single vinyl disc. MCA Records. MCA-53181.
  11. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. US cassette single sleeve. MCA Records. MCAC-53181.
  12. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. US & Canadian 12-inch single vinyl disc. MCA Records. MCA-23808.
  13. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. UK & Australian 12-inch single vinyl disc. Virgin Records. VST 1036.
  14. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. European 12-inch single vinyl disc. Virgin Records. 609 643.
  15. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. Japanese 12-inch single vinyl disc. Virgin Records. VJS-12007.
  16. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. UK CD single liner notes. Virgin Records. VSCD 1036.
  17. Heaven Is a Place on Earth. Belinda Carlisle. 1987. Australian cassette single sleeve. Virgin Records. VSC 1036.
  18. Book: Kent, David . David Kent (historian) . 1993 . Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 . illustrated . St Ives, N.S.W. . Australian Chart Book . 55 . 0-646-11917-6.
  19. Top 3 in Europe . . 5 . 11 . March 12, 1988 . 18 . 29800226 . World Radio History . August 15, 2021 . August 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210815161111/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/88/M%26M-1988-03-12-OCR-Page-0010.pdf . live .
  20. European Hot 100 Singles . Music & Media . 5 . 7 . February 13, 1988 . 16 . 29800226 . World Radio History . August 15, 2021 . August 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210815161113/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/88/M%26M-1988-02-13-OCR-Page-0009.pdf . live .
  21. Book: Pennanen, Timo . Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 . fi . 1st . Helsinki . . 2006 . 978-951-1-21053-5.
  22. Web site: InfoDisc : Accès direct à ces Artistes > Choisir Un Artiste Dans la Liste . fr . PHP . infodisc.fr . 27 February 2024.
  23. News: Íslenski Listinn Topp 10. DV. 44. February 12, 1988. is. 1021-8254. Timarit.is. September 1, 2020. November 10, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231110030008/https://timarit.is/page/2540075#page/n27/mode/2up. live.
  24. Web site: Classifiche . . it . June 3, 2022 . December 1, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161201160637/http://musicaedischi.it/classifiche_archivio.php . live . Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Belinda Carlisle" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  25. Top 3 Singles in Europe. Music & Media. 5. 17. April 23, 1988. 26. 29800226. World Radio History. August 11, 2023. June 9, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230609052622/https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1988/M%26M-1988-04-23.pdf. live.
  26. Web site: SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts C. The South African Rock Encyclopedia. September 1, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180503073851/http://www.rock.co.za/files/springbok_top_20_(C).html. May 3, 2018. live.
  27. Book: Salaverri, Fernando. September 2005. Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002. es. 1st. Madrid. Fundación Autor/SGAE. 84-8048-639-2.
  28. Web site: Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 5, 1987 . . September 1, 2020 . May 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210522190159/https://cashboxmagazine.com/archives/80s_files/19871205.html . live .
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  30. Web site: OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay. OLiS. pl. April 24, 2023. Select week 15.04.2023–21.04.2023.. January 23, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230123185634/https://www.olis.pl/charts/oficjalna-lista-airplay. live.
  31. Top 100 Singles of '87. RPM. 47. 12. December 26, 1987. 5. 0033-7064. Library and Archives Canada. September 1, 2020. November 26, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201126071305/https://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.0920&URLjpg=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2Fobj%2F028020%2Ff4%2Fnlc008388.0920.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.0920. live.
  32. Web site: ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1988 . . August 19, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140204042257/http://www.aria.com.au/pages/aria-charts-end-of-year-charts-top-50-singles-1988.htm . February 4, 2014 . live.
  33. Web site: Jaaroverzichten 1988 – Singles. nl. Ultratop. October 21, 2019. February 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210227113933/https://www.ultratop.be/nl/annual.asp?year=1988&cat=s. live.
  34. Top 100 Singles of '88. RPM. 49. 10. December 24, 1988. 9. 0033-7064. World Radio History. June 3, 2022. May 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220510185900/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-RPM-IDX/IDX/80s/RPM-1988-12-24-OCR-Page-0009.pdf. live.
  35. 1988 Year-End Eurocharts - Ariplay Top 50. Music & Media. 6. 52/1. 29. 1 January 1989. 11 June 2024. World Radio History.
  36. 1988 Year End Eurocharts – Hot 100 Singles . Music & Media . 6 . 52/1 . January 1, 1989 . 30 . 29800226 . World Radio History . August 15, 2021 . March 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220322012704/https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/80s/89/M%26M-1989-01-01-OCR-Page-0017.pdf . live .
  37. Web site: Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988. nl. Dutch Top 40. December 19, 2019. January 28, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132044/https://www.top40.nl/bijzondere-lijsten/top-100-jaaroverzichten/1988. live.
  38. Web site: Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988 . . nl . August 19, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150811115656/http://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1988&cat=s . August 11, 2015 . live.
  39. Web site: Top Selling Singles of 1988 . . June 29, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150210184811/http://nztop40.co.nz/chart/?chart=3877 . February 10, 2015 . live.
  40. Web site: Top 20 Hit Singles of 1988. The South African Rock Encyclopedia. September 2, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180404191808/http://www.rock.co.za/files/sahits_1988.html. April 4, 2018. live.
  41. Web site: Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988 . hitparade.ch . de . August 15, 2021 . November 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211124094233/https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1988 . live .
  42. Top 100 Singles – Year-End Chart 1988 . Music Week Awards . . March 4, 1989 . 12 . 0265-1548 . World Radio History . June 3, 2022 . November 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231110030003/https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1989/MW-1989-03-04-awards-IDX-52.pdf . live .
  43. Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1988 . Billboard . September 1, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200216211227/https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1988/hot-100-songs . February 16, 2020.
  44. Web site: Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1988 . de . GfK Entertainment . September 1, 2020 . May 9, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150509001202/https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/single-jahr/for-date-1988 . live .
  45. News: Music & Media. 6. 11. 18 March 1989. Eurochartbusters: The Hot 100 Singles Compiled from Music & Medias Five Year Chart Archives. 32–33 . 29800226. 5 Years . World Radio History . 9 July 2024.
  46. Web site: Bramesco . Charles . October 21, 2016 . Black Mirror Recap: Heaven Is a Place on Earth . March 22, 2022 . Vulture . en-us . March 22, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220322024739/https://www.vulture.com/2016/10/black-mirror-recap-season-3-episode-4.html . live .
  47. Web site: July 19, 2019 . TV Recap: 'The Handmaid's Tale' Episode 9 – "Heaven is a Place on Earth" . March 4, 2023 . AwardsWatch . en-US . March 4, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304183340/https://awardswatch.com/tv-recap-the-handmaids-tale-episode-9-heaven-is-a-place-on-earth/ . live .
  48. Web site: Beviglia . Jim . June 12, 2020 . Behind The Song: Lana Del Rey, "Video Games" . December 22, 2022 . American Songwriter . December 23, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221223010154/https://americansongwriter.com/video-games-lana-del-ray-behind-the-song/ . live .

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