"Heaven Is a Place on Earth"
Single by Belinda Carlisle
from the album Heaven on Earth
B-side"We Can Change"
ReleasedSeptember 14, 1987[1]
StudioOcean Way (Hollywood)
Genre
Length
  • 4:06 (album version)
  • 3:53 (radio edit/7-inch)
  • 5:59 (The Heavenly Version/12-inch)
LabelMCA
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Rick Nowels
Belinda Carlisle singles chronology
"Dancing in the City"
(1987)		 "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"
(1987)		 "I Get Weak"
(1988)
Music video
"Heaven Is a Place on Earth" on YouTube

"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 Heaven on Earth 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

The song is performed in the key of E major, with a tempo of 123 beats per minute in common time. Carlisle's vocals span from E3 to D♯5. In the final chorus of the song, the key shifts up a tone to F♯ major.[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.

The song appears in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008),[10] Love & Other Drugs (2010),[11] and the Black Mirror episode "San Junipero" (2016),[12] and it is sung by the protagonist June Osbourne in the Handmaid’s Tale episode “Heroic” (2019).[13] The song is referenced in Lana Del Rey's 2011 debut single "Video Games".[14] The artist as well as the song are referenced in "Belinda Says", from Canadian band Alvvays' 2022 album Blue Rev.

Track listing

  1. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" – 4:06
  2. "We Can Change" – 3:45
  3. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (The Heavenly version) – 5:59
  4. "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (a cappella version) – 3:49

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for "Heaven Is a Place on Earth"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[55] Gold 50,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[56] Gold 45,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[57] Platinum 701,500[58]

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Strong, M. C. (1995). The Great Rock Discography. Edinburgh: Canongate Books Ltd. p. 329. ISBN 0-86241-385-0.
  2. ↑ Smith, Troy L. (May 13, 2021). "Every No. 1 song of the 1980s ranked from worst to best". Cleveland.com. Archived from the original on June 19, 2021. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ Ewing, Tom (May 10, 2010). "Belinda Carlisle - "Heaven is a Place on Earth"". Freaky Trigger. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
  4. ↑ "The 19 greatest key changes in music history". ShortList. October 1, 2017. Archived from the original on January 14, 2018. Retrieved January 13, 2018.
  5. ↑ Shipley, Ellen (September 15, 2008). "Belinda Carlisle "Heaven Is a Place on Earth" Sheet Music in A Major (transposable) - Download & Print". Musicnotes.com. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Heaven Is a Place On Earth - Belinda Carlisle". Spot On Track. Archived from the original on March 16, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  7. ↑ "Previews – Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 51. December 26, 1987. p. 38. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved September 4, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  8. ↑ Smith, Jerry (December 12, 1987). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week. p. 21. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 6, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  9. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is a Place on Earth (1987)". IMVDb.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  10. ↑ Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay (2008) - IMDb, archived from the original on March 18, 2022, retrieved March 18, 2022
  11. ↑ Love & Other Drugs (2010) - IMDb, archived from the original on March 18, 2022, retrieved March 18, 2022
  12. ↑ Bramesco, Charles (October 21, 2016). "Black Mirror Recap: Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Vulture. Archived from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ "TV Recap: 'The Handmaid's Tale' Episode 9 – "Heaven is a Place on Earth"". AwardsWatch. July 19, 2019. Archived from the original on March 4, 2023. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  14. ↑ Beviglia, Jim (June 12, 2020). "Behind The Song: Lana Del Rey, "Video Games"". American Songwriter. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  15. ↑ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 55. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  16. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  17. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50.
  18. ↑ "Top RPM Singles: Issue 8678." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Top RPM Adult Contemporary: Issue 8412." RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  20. ↑ "Top 3 in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 11. March 12, 1988. p. 18. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  21. ↑ "European Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 7. February 13, 1988. p. 16. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 15, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  22. ↑ Pennanen, Timo (2006). Sisältää hitin – levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972 (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava. ISBN 978-951-1-21053-5.
  23. ↑ "Íslenski Listinn Topp 10". DV (in Icelandic). February 12, 1988. p. 44. ISSN 1021-8254. Archived from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved September 1, 2020 – via Timarit.is.
  24. ↑ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Archived from the original on December 1, 2016. Retrieved June 3, 2022. Select "Singoli" in the "Tipo" field, type "Belinda Carlisle" in the "Artista" field and press "cerca".
  26. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – Belinda Carlisle" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  28. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Top 40 Singles.
  29. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". VG-lista.
  30. ↑ "Top 3 Singles in Europe" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 5, no. 17. April 23, 1988. p. 26. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved August 11, 2023 – via World Radio History.
  31. ↑ "SA Charts 1965–1989 (As presented on Springbok Radio/Radio Orion) – Acts C". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
  32. ↑ Salaverri, Fernando (September 2005). Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002 (in Spanish) (1st ed.). Madrid: Fundación Autor/SGAE. ISBN 84-8048-639-2.
  33. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Singles Top 100.
  34. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Swiss Singles Chart.
  35. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle: Artist Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  36. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  37. ↑ "Belinda Carlisle Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard.
  38. ↑ "Cash Box Top 100 Singles – Week ending December 5, 1987". Cash Box. Archived from the original on May 22, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  39. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  40. ↑
    • Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. Zimbabwe: singles chart book. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000
  41. ↑ "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 15.04.2023–21.04.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Archived from the original on January 23, 2023. Retrieved April 24, 2023.
  42. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '87". RPM. Vol. 47, no. 12. December 26, 1987. p. 5. ISSN 0033-7064. Archived from the original on November 26, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020 – via Library and Archives Canada.
  43. ↑ "ARIA Charts – End Of Year Charts – Top 50 Singles 1988". Australian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on February 4, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  44. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1988 – Singles" (in Dutch). Ultratop. Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  45. ↑ "Top 100 Singles of '88" (PDF). RPM. Vol. 49, no. 10. December 24, 1988. p. 9. ISSN 0033-7064. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  46. ↑ "1988 Year End Eurocharts – Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 6, no. 52/1. January 1, 1989. p. 30. OCLC 29800226. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 22, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2021 – via World Radio History.
  47. ↑ "Top 100-Jaaroverzicht van 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  48. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1988" (in Dutch). Dutch Charts. Archived from the original on August 11, 2015. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  49. ↑ "Top Selling Singles of 1988". Recorded Music NZ. Archived from the original on February 10, 2015. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  50. ↑ "Top 20 Hit Singles of 1988". The South African Rock Encyclopedia. Archived from the original on April 4, 2018. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  51. ↑ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1988". hitparade.ch (in German). Archived from the original on November 24, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  52. ↑ "Top 100 Singles – Year-End Chart 1988" (PDF). Music Week Awards. Music Week. March 4, 1989. p. 12. ISSN 0265-1548. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 10, 2023. Retrieved June 3, 2022 – via World Radio History.
  53. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 1988". Billboard. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  54. ↑ "Top 100 Single-Jahrescharts – 1988" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  55. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". Music Canada. December 23, 1987.
  56. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved October 4, 2021.
  57. ↑ "British single certifications – Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is a Place on Earth". British Phonographic Industry. March 18, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2022.
  58. ↑ Copsey, Rob (January 19, 2023). "Official Charts Flashback 1988: Belinda Carlisle – Heaven Is A Place On Earth". Official Charts Company. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
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