Heaven

Album: Free Spirit (2019)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This maudlin piano-ballad finds Khalid singing about his struggle with his demons.

    Heaven, make me an offer
    Lord, there's nothing for me left out here
    Heaven, if you come over
    Oh, I know how to make us disappear


    The despondent Khalid feels there's nothing left for him on Earth.
  • The song was written by Josh Tillman, who records under the name of Father John Misty. Khalid has long cited Father John Misty as one of his favorite artists and was chuffed that he had offered him one of his songs. Khalid said in an Apple Music Track by Track that he felt he could it justice as Misty inspires him so much. "I feel like his voice, or my voice at least, is not too far off from his, because that's a voice that I grew up with, and I sat with, and I lived with."
  • Father John Misty's sardonic songwriting couldn't be more different from Khalid's poppy R&B. However, Josh Tillman has form in writing for pop stars including Beyoncé's Lemonade hit "Hold Up" and Lady Gaga's Joanne tracks "Come To Mama" and "Sinner's Prayer."
  • Father John Misty has been open about his struggles with depression. The lyrical content of Misty's Pure Comedy track "Hangout at the Gallows" concerning his suicidal fixations is not dissimilar to this song.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Amy Lee of Evanescence

Amy Lee of EvanescenceSongwriter Interviews

The Evanescence frontwoman on the songs that have shifted meaning and her foray into kids' music.

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)

Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper/Lou Reed)Songwriter Interviews

The co-writer/guitarist on many Alice Cooper hits, Dick was also Lou Reed's axeman on the Rock n' Roll Animal album.

Amanda Palmer

Amanda PalmerSongwriter Interviews

Call us crazy, but we like it when an artist comes around who doesn't mesh with the status quo.

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse Pop

He Hit Me (And It Felt Like A Kiss): A History Of Abuse PopSong Writing

Songs that seem to glorify violence against women are often misinterpreted - but not always.

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And Hell

Tony Iommi of Black Sabbath, Heaven And HellSongwriter Interviews

Guitarist Tony Iommi on the "Iron Man" riff, the definitive Black Sabbath song, and how Ozzy and Dio compared as songwriters.