Get to Heaven is the third studio album by British band Everything Everything. Recorded primarily in Angelic Studios in Northampton during the latter half of 2014 with producer Stuart Price, it was released on 22 June 2015 on RCA Records. A deluxe edition of the album was released simultaneously, featuring six tracks which missed the album's cut. The album peaked at number seven in the United Kingdom Albums Chart, and at number 29 in the Australian albums chart. The tracks "Distant Past" and "Regret" were released as singles throughout 2015.
The album's lyrical themes are dark, focusing on global tensions and political happenings during 2014. The rise of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, media coverage of the 2015 general election in the United Kingdom and various mass shootings influenced the album's lyrics, while the band's musical sound was composed to provide contradiction to the violent subject matter. As with previous Everything Everything work, the majority of the songs are presented as in-character narration.
"Heaven" is a song recorded by American rapper Jay-Z from his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013) featuring American recording artist Justin Timberlake. The song was written by Jay-Z, The-Dream, members of R.E.M., Adrian Younge, Timbaland, and Jerome "J-Roc" Harmon while the production was handled by the latter two. During the song, Jay-Z touches on subjects of religious allegory and an interrogation of organized religion. The song has since peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.
On "Heaven", Jay-Z questions the meaning of religion and once again shoots down rumors that he is part of the secret organization Illuminati. He explained the song in a promotional video for Samsung saying,
The song indulges in religious allegory, and is one of the few songs on Magna Carta Holy Grail that touch upon existential and spiritual themes. Throughout the song he ponders faith, superstition and free thinking.
The songs features Jay-Z rapping a lyric of rock band, R.E.M.'s 1991 single "Losing My Religion". Following the album's release, former frontman of R.E.M. Michael Stipe told NME that he's "thrilled" and it was a "great honor", that Jay-Z included the lyrics in one of his songs.
"Heaven" is the title of a popular song from 2004 by the American Tejano/Chicano rock band Los Lonely Boys. The song was written by brothers Henry, Jojo and Ringo Garza, who comprise the foundation of the band, and it appears on their multi-platinum self-titled album.
Released as a single in mid-2004, "Heaven" reached the Top 40 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at 16 in August. Later that year, the song began a sixteen week run at number 1 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart in October. It was also a minor hit at country radio, where it peaked at number 46.
AllMusic reviewer Thom Jurek describes the song as "infectious" and draws comparisons to the music of Freddie King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Los Lobos. He states that "Heaven" is "a single in the old sense of the word: killer hook, easy groove, a slippery but unmistakable bridge with a beautiful vocal to boot -- all coming in under four minutes."
The success of "Heaven" led to two Grammy Award nominations and one win for the band at the 47th Grammy Awards, held in early 2005. The song won in the category Best Pop Performance by a Duo group, while Los Lonely Boys were nominated in the category Best New Artist, losing out to Maroon 5.
Heaven is the third album released by brother and sister duo BeBe & CeCe Winans and their second released on Capitol Records. It was number one on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart.
Smooth jazz musician Lonnie Liston Smith covered the title song from his 1990 album, Love Goddess
Destiny's Child singer Michelle Williams, featuring fellow singer Carl Thomas also covered the title song in the closing track from her 2002 solo debut, Heart to Yours.
Singles
So overwhelmed by all the trouble that you face
Steadily searchin' wanting to find peace in this place
Oh so certain that you will come to a beter day
And you're believing that it'll come by your own way
You have forgotten everything that you once said
How you would never let success get to your head
Now you'll do anything to make it on your own
But nothing you do changes the fact that you are still so alone, but if you
Chorus:
IF YOU WANT TO GET TO HEAVEN
YEAH
YOU'VE GOT TO COUNT THE COST,
PICK UP YOUR CROSS
IF YOU WANT TO LIVE FOREVER
YOU BETTER CHECK THE TIME,
MAKE UP YOUR MIND
Do you know that there is a possibility
What you are looking for ain't all it's cracked up to be
So what'll happen when your fame and fortune's through
And you are forced to reconcile with all that you were meant to do
I know that it seems there's no way out
And your heart is filled with doubt cause you've given all you've got
But I feel that if strive for success is all you do
So that riches come to you, it won't last longer that you, but if you
(repeat chorus)
(bridge)