I See Heaven On Earth

Album: Remember Tomorrow (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When Hootie & The Blowfish went on hiatus in 2008, the band members each embarked on solo careers, with drummer Jim Sonefeld pursuing Christian music. Remember Tomorrow is his fourth solo EP and features the single "I See Heaven On Earth." In a 2022 episode of the Songfacts podcast, Sonefeld compared the uplifting piano ballad to the Hootie hit "Hold My Hand," as both songs share a positive message of love.

    "'I See Heaven On Earth' is one of those tunes that I just want to say, y'all we gotta love each other," he explained. "Maybe it's no different than 'Hold My Hand' in 1989. I still feel the same way. If we can't act out love toward each other in humble ways, in authentic ways, then we got a big problem. The party will be very short. So I'm saying the same thing here. The picture that Christians paint of having this wonderful place of redemption and feeling of togetherness, I think it's available here on Earth - I see it every day, or I wouldn't choose to live here. And so I wanted to say, I see Heaven on Earth. I want you to see it too. And the only way to see it is to act it out personally, and then keep your eyes around you for all the good things that are happening."
  • Sonefeld struggled with alcoholism from the time he was a teenager through most of his tenure with Hootie & The Blowfish. In 2004, he began the path to sobriety and found God along the way. The experience influenced his approach to music. Instead of ranting about the negative things he can't change, like the sensationalized media or crooked politicians, he chooses to focus on the positive in his songs.

    "There's still things to be pessimistic about," he admits, "but I accept that if we don't lean into the good things, we're gonna be in big trouble."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Prince

PrinceFact or Fiction

Prince is shrouded in mystery, making him an excellent candidate for Fact or Fiction. Is he really a Scientologist? Does he own an exotic animal?

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Van Dyke Parks

Van Dyke ParksSongwriter Interviews

U2, Carly Simon, Joanna Newsom, Brian Wilson and Fiona Apple have all gone to Van Dyke Parks to make their songs exceptional.

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside Story

Jesus Christ Superstar: Ted Neeley Tells the Inside StorySong Writing

The in-depth discussion about the making of Jesus Christ Superstar with Ted Neeley, who played Jesus in the 1973 film.

Amy Grant

Amy GrantSongwriter Interviews

The top Contemporary Christian artist of all time on song inspirations and what she learned from Johnny Carson.

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New York

Janis Ian: Married in London, but not in New YorkSong Writing

Can you be married in one country but not another? Only if you're part of a gay couple. One of the first famous singers to come out as a lesbian, Janis wrote a song about it.