About the song
**Introduction to “Heaven Is a Place on Earth”**
“Heaven Is a Place on Earth” is a landmark single that catapulted American singer Belinda Carlisle into the global spotlight, marking a defining moment in her career. Released on September 14, 1987, as the lead single from her second studio album, *Heaven on Earth*, the song was penned by the talented songwriting duo Rick Nowels and Ellen Shipley. The track’s infectious melody and uplifting lyrics resonated widely, propelling it to the top of the charts.
Upon its release, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” quickly captured the attention of listeners and critics alike. It soared to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 on December 5, 1987, becoming Carlisle’s only chart-topping single in the United States to date. This success was mirrored in the United Kingdom, where the song also reached the top spot on the UK Singles Chart and held the number one position for two weeks. The single enjoyed impressive chart performance globally, peaking at number two in Australia and securing top ten positions in various countries including Germany and Canada.
Musically, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” is characterized by its vibrant tempo of 123 beats per minute and a key signature of E major, with a notable modulation to F♯ major in the final chorus. Carlisle’s vocal performance, spanning from E3 to D♯5, is both powerful and emotive, delivering the song’s message of joy and euphoria with great impact. The production features contributions from a range of artists including Thomas Dolby on synthesizers and backup vocals from Nowels, Shipley, Michelle Phillips of The Mamas & the Papas, Chynna Phillips of Wilson Phillips, and Diane Warren.
Critical reception of the song was overwhelmingly positive. Music & Media praised its uplifting nature and irresistible chorus, while Jerry Smith of Music Week highlighted its commercial appeal. The track’s success earned it a Grammy nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1988, though it ultimately lost to Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me).” Despite this, the song remains a significant part of Carlisle’s legacy and is widely regarded as her signature song.
In 2015, Carlisle revisited the classic with an acoustic ballad version for her album *Wilder Shores* (2017), which blends acoustic elements with world beats and traditional Sikh chants, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
The music video for “Heaven Is a Place on Earth,” directed by actress Diane Keaton, features a whimsical and visually striking concept with children in black masks and capes, illuminated plastic globes, and scenes filmed at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California. Carlisle herself appears in elegant outfits, further enhancing the song’s enchanting and celebratory atmosphere.
Overall, “Heaven Is a Place on Earth” stands out as a timeless anthem of joy and optimism, securing its place in the annals of pop music history and continuing to inspire and uplift listeners worldwide.
Video
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