"(Feels Like) Heaven" is a song by Scottish new wave band Fiction Factory, released on 30 December 1983 as the second single from their debut studio album, Throw the Warped Wheel Out (1984). The track was a hit in Switzerland, reaching #2 on the singles chart. In the UK, it peaked at #6. Other chart positions include #10 in Germany, #12 in The Netherlands, #14 in Sweden and #20 in Austria. The song is a regular feature on 1980s and new wave compilation albums.
The song was written by Kevin Patterson and Eddie Jordan shortly after they had formed Fiction Factory with Chic Medley. The lyric has been described by the band as "an anti-love song", while recognising that it has come to have a different meaning for different people.
The song was referenced in Ariel Pink's 2017 song "Feels Like Heaven".
Background
Fiction Factory was formed in 1982 by vocalist Kevin Patterson, keyboardist Eddie Jordan and guitarist Chic Medley. The trio originally intended to write songs together for other artists rather than perform their own, but they received little record company interest until they formed a full band with the addition of bassist Graham McGreggor and drummer Mike Ogletree. "(Feels Like) Heaven" was written in 1982 and was one of the first songs that Jordan and Patterson wrote together. Speaking of the song, Patterson told Sounds in 1984, "I suppose to some it is milk pop and that was our intention – to write a commercial song that would get the companies interested. But it's not a very subtle song. It's not about loving somebody at all, it's about being loved by someone you absolutely despise."
Critical reception
On its release, Ian Birch of Smash Hits wrote: "Imagine a smattering of H2O, China Crisis and The Lotus Eaters with a clean-cut production. One to watch in '84." Tony Jasper of Music Week noted the song "has a fetching feel with a good blend of vocals and backing track". Frank Edmonds of the Bury Free Press gave the song an 8 out of 10 rating and described it as a "truly impressive and pleasing little number, with a relaxed, catchy melody". In the US, David Okamoto of The Tampa Tribune described it as "the song Spandau Ballet would kill for" and "one of the prettiest singles of the year".
Track listing
7"
- "(Feels Like) Heaven"
- "Everyone but You"
12"
- "(Feels Like) Heaven" (Remix)
- "Everyone but You"
- "This Is"
Charts
Certifications
Dario G version
In 2003, the song was recorded by English dance act Dario G, titled "Heaven Is Closer (Feels Like Heaven)". The single reached the UK top 40, peaking at number 39 on the UK Singles Chart. It also charted in several other countries across Europe. This version mainly uses the "heaven is closer" refrain at the end of the original song as its hook.
References
External links
- (Feels Like) Heaven at Discogs (list of releases)
