Heaven

Album: Reckless (1984)
Charted: 38 1
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • In a December 2003 interview, composer Jim Vallance said he co-wrote this song with lyricist Bryan Adams for "a dreadful film called A Night In Heaven, about a male stripper, which was released in 1983." The film may have been third rate but the song was a monster hit. Originally a power ballad, in 2002 it was recorded by DJ Sammy, whose version went to #1 in the UK and #8 in the US.
  • In 2002, DJ Sammy recorded his version together with German producer Yanou and Dutch vocalist Do. Yanou recalled in 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh: "The reason I chose 'Heaven' is because I love it and it has a very special memory from my youth. I asked Do to sing on the trance track which she agreed to, but she also insisted on recording a slower version true to the original."
  • When Songfacts asked Adams how he feels about the DJ Sammy version of this song, he replied: "Everyone loves this song, and I was thrilled at the dance version produced by Yanou. It's always interesting to hear how other people interpret your music, sometimes, like this version, they connect."
  • The DJ Sammy remix was also a personal favorite of Jessie Gilbert, who at the age of 11 won the Women's World Amateur Chess Championship. Jessie died in tragic circumstances in July 2006 aged just 19; the song was played at her funeral service at St. Mark's Church, Reigate, the following month. >>
    Suggestion credit:
    Alexander Baron - London, England
  • Two versions of the video were made. The first, released in November 1984, was directed by Steve Barron, who worked on most of Adams' videos of the time. This one showed Adams standing on stage amid stacks of television sets showing parts of his band members. Shots of the crowd reveal that the seats are filled with not people, but TV sets, making Adams the only human in the building.

    The second video was released in March 1985 and has a more accessible concept. In this one, a guy gets pulled over for drunk driving across the street from a Bryan Adams concert. The girl he was driving ditches him and goes to the show, where she and Adams make a connection. This second version was nominated for an MTV Video Music Award in the category Best Cinematography.
  • The British singer-songwriter Becky Hill released a cover in 2023. Her version was produced by Neil Barrett and Shift K3Y.

Comments: 14

  • Laramie from New YorkI absolutely love this song! It is definitely one of my favorites.
  • E from CanadaLove all his songs!!
  • AnonymousThis is prolly old as heck, but I always wondered this too. But now I get it. I had a feeling there was a simple answer that i just wasnt seeing. Thank you!
    I know the feeling of being with someone and just feeling g like it's all a dream, or just "too good to be true"
  • Africargus from LondonA truly fabulous song, which for me is the best song that Mr Adams ever put his gruff and jagged growl of a voice too. Technically-excellent, with not one wasted word, and yer managing to say something profound in very simple words (if it were easy, we’d all do it, and sell zillions of copies). A classic. For Ryan from San Jose, Ca - the first time around, he’s saying the words in the sense that he finds it hard to believe that he is lying there in her arms (heaven is being with her); the second time, he’s sort of saying “this really is heaven.” Hope it makes sense.
  • Jon from New Orleans, La One of Bryan’s best songs of ‘84. When I hear this song today it reminds me of one of the greatest seasons of my life. A high school senior in 1984 in love with a beautiful blonde.
  • Barry from Sauquoit, NyOn May 25, 1985, a video of Bryan Adams' "Heaven" was aired on the Dick Clark ABC-TV network Saturday-afternoon program 'American Bandstand'...
    At the time the song was at #12 on Billboard's Hot Top 100 chart, four weeks later it would peak at #1 {for 2 weeks} and it spent 19 weeks on the Top 100...
    It almost made the Top 10 in his native Canada, on July 13th it peaked at #11 {for 2 weeks} on the RPM Weekly Singles chart...
    On the Hot Top 100 chart the year 1985 was a very good one for Mr. Adams; besides "Heaven" he had five other records made the Top 100, "Somebody" {#11}, "Summer of '69" {#5}, "One Night Love Affair" {#13}, "It's Only Love", with Tina Turner, {#15}, and "Christmas Time" {#31}...
    Bryan Guy Adams will celebrate his 58th birthday this coming November 5th {2017}.
  • Ryan from San Jose, CaI love this song!! Bryan Adams is awesome and still sounds about as amazing today as he did then. I had a question about the lyrics, though. It may be a dumb question, but why does he say, "I'm findin' it hard to believe / We're in heaven" and then a couple lines later says "It isn't too hard to see / We're in heaven"? His feelings for his significant other haven't changed, but yet in one instance he doesn't think he's in heaven, yet in the next instance he's convinced he is. I was just curious. I'm probably missing something obvious, but I thought I'd ask. Thanks!!
  • Noreen Stinson from Oxford House Mb, MbBryan Adams is a good singer.
  • Sandy from Enterprise, FlBryan Adams is the epitome of blue-eyed soul.
  • Tt from Columbia, Scthis song will always be in my heart , its part of my youth , for every guy i ever dated this was "our" song. Bryan is the best , when ever i think about the 80's Bryan comes into mind.
  • Jim from Long Beach, CaThis brings me back to my old girlfriend. Great times and memories..
  • Brian from Chicago, IlBryan Adams version is great, but I have to say that DJ Sammy's version is also great. Obviously it takes more talent to be the original writer/singer, and to actually play real instruments.
  • Miles from Vancouver, Canadayeah! at least bryan adams's version uses REAL instruments
  • Cameron from Austin, Txthis is such a beautiful song. the DJ Sammy version sucks, Bryan Adams orginal is so much better!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he Inspired

Muhammad Ali: His Musical Legacy and the Songs he InspiredSong Writing

Before he was the champ, Ali released an album called I Am The Greatest!, but his musical influence is best heard in the songs he inspired.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.

Devo

DevoSongwriter Interviews

Devo founders Mark Mothersbaugh and Jerry Casale take us into their world of subversive performance art. They may be right about the De-Evoloution thing.

Dennis DeYoung

Dennis DeYoungSongwriter Interviews

Dennis DeYoung explains why "Mr. Roboto" is the defining Styx song, and what the "gathering of angels" represents in "Come Sail Away."

Tom Bailey of Thompson Twins

Tom Bailey of Thompson TwinsSongwriter Interviews

Tom stopped performing Thompson Twins songs in 1987, in part because of their personal nature: "Hold Me Now" came after an argument with his bandmate/girlfriend Alannah Currie.

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.