Yesterday I heard a rebooted, or better stated ‘hijacked’ version of Heaven by Bryan Adams on the gym’s speakers. Once my disgust subsided I reminisced how much I liked this song when I was at the Academy in my early adulthood. I had a ‘section under-officer’ called Hilly whose musical tastes aligned with mine which was a blessing. Our core adoration was in Springsteen and over time we unpeeled the layers to reveal to the other, songs that we dug. Heaven and another by Adams Summer of 69 were part of the procession of music we played prior to heading out on the town. I’m not nearly as attached to them now, but sometimes I like to rekindle songs here which previously burned bright.
Heaven was released as the third single from Adams’ album Reckless (1984). It reached number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in June 1985 (his first number one), over a year and a half after the song first appeared on record. Heaven was heavily influenced by Journey’s 1983 hit Faithfully, which is uncanny since fellow blogger Nancy (The Elephant’s Trunk) and I were just talking about Journey in relation to her post Embrace the Journey. Adams had played over 100 dates with Journey during 1983, serving as the opening act on their Frontiers Tour. Initially Adams was unconvinced that Heaven was suitable for Reckless since he considered it too ‘light’, but at the last minute he changed his mind.
[Verse 1]
Oh, thinkin’ about our younger years
There was only you and me
We were young and wild and free
Now nothin’ can take you away from me
We’ve been down that road before
But that’s over now
You keep me comin’ back for more
[Chorus]
Baby, you’re all that I want
When you’re lyin’ here in my arms
I’m findin’ it hard to believe
We’re in Heaven
And love is all that I need
And I found it there in your heart
It isn’t too hard to see
We’re in Heaven
Bryan Guy Adams (born November 5, 1959) is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, record producer, and photographer. He is estimated to have sold between 75 million and more than 100 million records and singles worldwide, placing him on the list of best-selling music artists. Adams was the most played artist on Canadian radio in the 2010s and has had 25 top-15 singles in Canada and a dozen or more in the US, UK, and Australia.
I would have assumed this iconic ballad had a version on You tube with Spanish subtitles so I could share it here in Bogotá, but alas not to be. I was less than impressed with the original official video so I went with the ‘classic version’…… A blast from the post folks.
References:
1. Heaven (Bryan Adams song) – Wikipedia
2. Bryan Adams – Wikipedia
“The more I live, the more I learn. The more I learn, the more I realize, the less I know.”- Michel Legrand
Observation Blogger 
Cool. I caught that tour in Detroit..the place was rocking…
Was there anyone big, you didn’t see? Gee wiz, you lucky son of a gun.
I’m lucky to live close to Detroit in some ways Matt. They always come here. I wish I could re-watch one now…
Yeh, I bet you get all the big acts passing through there mate. Wonderful.
Hope you’re doing well Matt. Hanging in there myself but….😁
Yeh, I have been really well. Been on the wagon since 9th of April and feel pretty good. Lots of time with the kids and my energy levels are up.
How about you?
I’m not sure lol 😆..been a couple of things but that’s life 😅
I remember when this was released….it was played on the radio…it seemed like every few minutes. It was very popular here.
Same where I was too Max.
I loved the “Reckless” album when it came out, especially “Run to You”, “Summer of ’69” and “It’s Only Love”, Bryan Adams’ duet with Tina Turner. I also liked “Heaven.”
I realize Adams oftentimes gets mixed reactions, especially when it comes to rock fans. While it’s fair to say I’m no longer as fond of his music as I was back in the ’80s, I still believe he had some good songs. I always liked his slightly raspy vocals.
The one Bryan Adams ballad I can no longer stand is “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You.” This one was played to death on the radio back in Germany.
After his 1996 album “18 til I Die”, Adams fell completely off my radar screen. Apparently, he’s still popular in Germany. His most recent studio album “So Happy It Hurts”, which came out in March 2022, peaked at no. 2 on the German charts, according to Wikipedia.
His music had its time and place. Apart from’Summer of 69′ I don’t think it has aged too well, at least to my ears. I agree that he had some good songs and I also liked your description ‘raspy vocals’ which I wish I put in my article. I too cannot stand “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You.” Haha That song was played to death worldwide, not just in Germany.
I heard a bit from his latest studio album when it came out and some of it sounded good, not too distinct from his 80’s stuff. That’s interesting the Germans like him so much.
Great song!
Yeh, I’ve heard worse ballads. Hehe
One of my favorites by Bryan Adams, and I still own my vinyl copy of the album.
Oh really? Wow. That’s cool Jeff