Eighties Archive Song Number
Highest Chart Position
Date Released
Date Of UK Top 40 Entry
Genre
Label
Catalogue Number
Story Behind The Song
Few songs capture the sheer optimism of late-Eighties pop quite as vividly as “Heaven Is A Place On Earth”. Released in 1987, the song became the lead track of Belinda Carlisle’s second solo album, Heaven On Earth, and represented a polished, expansive new sound for the former Go-Go’s vocalist. Written by Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley, the recording was produced by Rick Nowels, with a large ensemble of musicians and backing vocalists contributing to its rich, layered production.
The lyrics present romantic love as a state of happiness that can transform ordinary life into something almost heavenly. Carlisle’s warm, expressive vocal gives the song an emotional sincerity, while the huge chorus provides its defining moment. Rather than sounding wistful, the song is filled with confidence and joy, capturing the exhilaration of being completely absorbed in a relationship.
Musically, the production combines synthesizers, programmed drums, keyboards, guitars, percussion and layered backing vocals. Thomas Dolby contributes keyboards, while musicians including Kenny Aronoff, Michael Landau and John Pierce add live instrumental detail to the polished studio sound.
The accompanying promotional video reinforced the song’s romantic atmosphere with colourful imagery and a dreamlike presentation, perfectly complementing Carlisle’s transformation into a major solo pop artist. With its soaring melody, uplifting message and immaculate production, “Heaven Is A Place On Earth” remains one of the most instantly recognisable love songs of the Eighties.
The song peaked at No. 01 in the UK singles chart on 16th January 1988.
UK 7'' SLEEVE COVERS
Shown below are the picture sleeve covers (front and back) for the UK release of this single. If no cover sleeve was issued in the UK, we will display another country’s picture sleeve.
UK 7'' TRACK LISTING
| A-Side | Heaven Is A Place On Earth (3:53) (Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley) Produced By Rick Nowels |
| B-Side | We Can Change (3:45) (Rick Nowels, Charlotte Caffey) Produced By Rick Nowels |
CHART PERFORMANCE
| UK Top 40 Chart Run [11 Weeks] – 19th December 1987 – 27th February 1988 |
OFFICIALLY RELEASED VERSIONS
All officially released versions that appeared in the 80s:-
- Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Single Version) (3:53)
- Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Heavenly Version) (6:01)
- Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Down To Earth Dub) (5:23)
- Heaven Is A Place On Earth (A Cappella) (3:54)
- Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Album Version) (4:07)
See ALL releases of ‘Heaven Is A Place On Earth’ on Discogs.
To hear the FULL version of the songs below, you will need an active Spotify account (Free one). Just log in on your desktop/tablet or phone to hear the FULL versions.
OFFICIAL VIDEO
SONG LYRICS
Ooh, baby, do you know what that’s worth?
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
They say in Heaven, love comes first
We’ll make Heaven a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
When the night falls down
I wait for you and you come around
And the world’s alive
With the sound of kids on the street outside
When you walk into the room
You pull me close and we start to move
And we’re spinnin’ with the stars above
And you lift me up in a wave of love
Ooh, baby, do you know what that’s worth?
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
They say in Heaven, love comes first
We’ll make Heaven a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
When I feel alone
I reach for you and you bring me home
When I’m lost at sea
I hear your voice and it carries me
In this world, we’re just beginnin’
To understand the miracle of livin’
Baby, I was afraid before
But I’m not afraid anymore
Ooh, baby, do you know what that’s worth?
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
They say in Heaven, love comes first
We’ll make Heaven a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
(Heaven)
(Heaven)
(Heaven)
In this world, we’re just beginnin’
To understand the miracle of livin’
Baby, I was afraid before
But I’m not afraid anymore
(Heaven)
Ooh, baby, do you know what that’s worth?
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
They say in Heaven, love comes first
We’ll make Heaven a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Ooh, Heaven is a place on Earth
Written By Rick Nowels, Ellen Shipley
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