Heaven Is - Highland Studios Demo (1983-84)

Song Meaning

The lyrics present a fragmented, almost stream-of-consciousness definition of "heaven." Initially, it's framed by tangible, yet distant, comforts: a postcard, a phone call from afar. These are quickly followed by more intimate, physical sensations like a body held close, and the surprisingly mundane yet profound idea of being "right almost all the time." This juxtaposition suggests heaven isn't a singular, grand event, but a collection of fleeting, often ordinary moments that offer solace or satisfaction. The central tension emerges in the chorus, contrasting the perceived indifference of another person with the narrator's own lingering emotional entanglement. The lines "All these things you say and do / It doesn't mean that much to you / But all these things you said to me / The memories won't set me free" reveal a painful disconnect. While the narrator grapples with the weight of past interactions, the other person seems unburdened, highlighting a profound emotional asymmetry that makes true peace elusive. The recurring phrase "Heaven is" acts as a mantra, attempting to conjure these moments of peace, but the list becomes increasingly surreal and desperate. The inclusion of specific, almost random images like "shaking hands with Fred Astaire" or "Selena Scott falling in love with me" points to a yearning for validation or an escape from present reality. This escalating, almost frantic listing, especially in the interlude, underscores the narrator's struggle to grasp a stable definition of happiness or peace amidst emotional turmoil. Ultimately, the effectiveness of these lyrics lies in their raw, unpolished portrayal of desire and disappointment. By listing disparate, often contradictory, visions of heaven, the song captures the elusive nature of contentment. The contrast between the idealized "heaven" moments and the painful reality of unreciprocated feelings or inescapable memories creates a poignant, relatable portrait of someone searching for solace in a world that doesn't always offer it.