Heaven Is a Halfpipe

Last updated

"Heaven Is a Halfpipe"
OPM heaven is a halfpipe.jpg
Single by OPM
from the album Menace to Sobriety
B-side
  • "Space People"
  • "Group Therapy"
ReleasedJune 27, 2000 (2000-06-27)
Length4:18
Label Atlantic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
OPM singles chronology
"Heaven Is a Halfpipe"
(2000)
"El Capitan"
(2001)
Music video
"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" on YouTube

"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (also known as "Heaven Is a Halfpipe (If I Die)" [1] ) is a song by American rock band OPM. It was included on their debut studio album, Menace to Sobriety (2000), and was released on June 27, 2000, as its lead single.

Contents

The song peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart and was a top-40 hit in several other nations, including the United Kingdom, where it reached number four on the UK Singles Chart. It was the 33rd-best-selling single of 2001 in the UK, earning a gold certification from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of over 400,000. The song was re-recorded in 2012 for the Heaven Can Wait EP.

Content

"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" is about a man who loves skateboarding, getting high and being free. He imagines Heaven being like a half-pipe, where he does not have to worry about the police ruining his good time ("'Cause right now on Earth I can't do jack / without the man upon my back"). The trick skills of professional skateboarders Christian Hosoi and Mike McGill are mentioned during the bridge ("Like Christian Hosoi way back in '87" / "We'll be busting Christ airs until we get to heaven" / "With all your rules, you gots to chill" / "I'm gonna twist out like Mike McGill" / "I'm gonna twist out cos I got the skills"). [2]

Music video

The music video features OPM doing skateboarding tricks on a large half-pipe and flying around. At the end of the video, they perform to a crowd. [3] One man in the audience also wears a white T-shirt that says "FREE CHRISTIAN HOSOI", in reference to Hosoi's arrest in January 2000 for attempting to transport nearly 1.5 lb of crystal methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Honolulu. [4]

Track listings

UK CD and cassette single; Australian CD single [5] [6] [7]

  1. "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (album version) – 4:18
  2. "Space People" – 3:45
  3. "Group Therapy" – 2:21

German CD single [8]

  1. "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (clean album version) – 4:18
  2. "Space People" – 3:45

Charts

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [25] Gold400,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

RegionDateFormat(s)Label(s)Ref.
United StatesJune 27, 2000 Alternative radio Atlantic [26]
AustraliaOctober 2000CD [27]
United KingdomJuly 2, 2001
  • CD
  • cassette
[28]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathless (The Corrs song)</span> 2000 single by the Corrs

"Breathless" is a song by Irish pop rock group the Corrs. It was released in June 2000 as the first single from their third studio album, In Blue (2000). "Breathless" was co-written and produced by famed music producer Robert John "Mutt" Lange, who produced for Shania Twain, Bryan Adams and Def Leppard, among others. "Breathless" is a pop song with lyrics about seduction.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breathe (Fabolous song)</span> 2004 single by Fabolous

"Breathe" is a song by American rapper Fabolous, released as the lead single from third studio album, Real Talk (2004). The song reached number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart in November 2004 and became a top-40 hit in several countries worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dance with Me (Debelah Morgan song)</span> 2000 song by Debelah Morgan

"Dance with Me" is a song by American R&B singer Debelah Morgan, released on June 19, 2000, as the first single from Morgan's third studio album of the same name. Morgan co-wrote the song with its producer Giloh Morgan, with Richard Adler and Jerry Ross receiving songwriting credits for the reworking of their composition "Hernando's Hideaway".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Runaway (The Corrs song)</span> 1995 single by the Corrs

"Runaway" is a song by Irish family band the Corrs, released in September 1995 as the debut single from their first album, Forgiven, Not Forgotten (1995). It had middling chart success except in Ireland and Australia, peaking at number 10 in both countries. It was also an adult contemporary hit in Canada, reaching number two on the RPM Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and number 25 on the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart. On the UK Singles Chart, it originally reached number 49, but a re-release in 1999 saw the single reach a new peak of number two on the same chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long Night (The Corrs song)</span> 2004 single by the Corrs

"Long Night" is a single by Irish family band the Corrs, taken as the third single from their fourth studio album, Borrowed Heaven (2004). The song was written by Sharon Corr and released on 6 December 2004 in the United Kingdom. Even though it was not a hit around Europe or Australia, it became popular in Brazil after its use on a famous prime time national soap opera Senhora do Destino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Would You Be Happier?</span> 2001 single by the Corrs

"Would You Be Happier?" is a single by Irish band the Corrs, taken from their greatest hits album Best of The Corrs (2001). The song was first released in Australia on 1 October 2001 and was issued in Europe later the same month. The single reached number 10 in New Zealand and number 14 in the United Kingdom, becoming a top-40 hit in several other countries as well. In the United States, a live version of the track was released in March 2002 and charted within the Billboard Adult Contemporary top 40.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Radio (The Corrs song)</span> 1999 single by the Corrs

"Radio" is a song by Irish folk rock band the Corrs. It was released in October 1999 from the band's live album The Corrs Unplugged, recorded on 5 October 1999 during their appearance on MTV Unplugged, with "Dreams" from the same album as a B-side.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Summer Sunshine</span> 2004 single by the Corrs

"Summer Sunshine" is a song by Irish band the Corrs, the opening track from their fourth studio album, Borrowed Heaven (2004). The song was released as the album's first single on 17 May 2004, reaching number 12 in the band's native Ireland and number six on the UK Singles Chart. In Hungary, "Summer Sunshine" peaked at number one for two weeks. Elsewhere, the song reached number two in Spain and peaked within the top 20 in Australia, Italy, and the Netherlands. The music video was directed by Kevin Godley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Follow Me (Uncle Kracker song)</span> 2000 single by Uncle Kracker

"Follow Me" is the debut single of American musician Uncle Kracker. It was released on November 6, 2000, as the lead single from his debut studio album, Double Wide (2000). It was written by Kracker and Michael Bradford and was produced by Bradford and Kid Rock. According to Kracker, the song has multiple meanings, with people speculating that it could be about drugs or infidelity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel (The Corrs song)</span> 2004 single by the Corrs

"Angel" is a song by Irish folk rock band the Corrs, the second single released from their fourth studio album, Borrowed Heaven (2004). The song is a tribute to the band members' mother, Jean, who died in 1999. "Angel" was first released in Australia on 23 August 2004 and was issued in the United Kingdom the following month. The song peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart, number 14 in Hungary, and number 19 in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bawitdaba</span> Single by Kid Rock

"Bawitdaba" is a song by American singer Kid Rock from his fourth studio album, Devil Without a Cause (1998). Serviced to US rock radio in February 1999, "Bawitdaba" helped push the success of the album. It has since become one of Kid Rock's most popular songs, receiving critical praise and entering the top 10 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, as well as on the New Zealand Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">So Young (The Corrs song)</span> 1998 single by the Corrs

"So Young" is a song by the Irish folk rock band the Corrs from their second studio album, Talk on Corners (1997). Written about the band members' parents, the song was released as the album's fifth single in November 1998. For its single release, British electronic music group K-Klass remixed "So Young"; this version charted in several countries, reaching the top 40 in Ireland, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Into Your Arms</span> 1993 single by the Lemonheads

"Into Your Arms" is a 1989 song by Australian duo Love Positions, consisting of Robyn St. Clare and Nic Dalton. In 1992, Dalton joined American alternative rock band the Lemonheads, who covered the song on their sixth studio album, Come on Feel the Lemonheads (1993). The song was released as the album's lead single and reached number one on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, remaining atop the chart for nine straight weeks, a record at the time that they shared with U2. The song also reached number 67 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in Australia, Canada, and the UK; in the latter country, it was a top-20 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Someday (Sugar Ray song)</span> 1999 single by Sugar Ray

"Someday" is a song by American rock band Sugar Ray. First serviced to American radio in June 1999, the song was released on September 7, 1999, as the second US single and third single overall from the band's third album, 14:59 (1999). The song reached number seven on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Modern Rock Tracks charts, number four on Canada's RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart, and number 25 in New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What Can I Do (The Corrs song)</span> 1998 single by the Corrs

"What Can I Do" is a song by Irish band the Corrs, from their second and breakthrough album, Talk on Corners (1997). The song was originally released in January 1998, but its moderate charting success was limited, due to the time of the shooting of the video. The song was later re-released in August the same year in remixed form by Tin Tin Out, which generated more attention, reaching number three in the United Kingdom. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, though some felt it was not as strong as their previous songs. An accompanying music video was released, which was shot in New Zealand during their world tour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunshine (Twista song)</span> 2004 single by Twista

"Sunshine" is the fourth single released from American rapper Twista's fourth album, Kamikaze. The song did not find success in the United States, but in the United Kingdom, "Sunshine" peaked at number three on the UK Singles Chart. "Sunshine" features R&B singer Anthony Hamilton and was produced by Red Spyda.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heard It All Before (Sunshine Anderson song)</span> 2001 single by Sunshine Anderson

"Heard It All Before" is the debut single by American recording artist Sunshine Anderson, from her debut studio album, Your Woman (2001). It was written by Anderson, Rayshawn Sherrer, Chris Dawley, and Mike City and produced by the latter. Released as the album's lead single on February 27, 2001, it reached the top ten on both the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart while peaking at the number 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)</span> 1996 single by Hootie & the Blowfish

"Old Man & Me " is a song by American rock group Hootie & the Blowfish. It was released in April 1996 as the lead single from their second album, Fairweather Johnson. In the United States, it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, number 18 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart, and number six on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart. The song also reached number one in Canada, becoming the band's third and final single to do so.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irresistible (The Corrs song)</span> 2000 song by the Corrs

"Irresistible" is a song by Irish pop rock group the Corrs. It was released in September 2000 as the second single taken from their third studio album In Blue (2000). The song was written by the Corrs and co-written and produced by Robert John "Mutt" Lange. "Irresistible" is a pop song with lyrics about desiring lifelong love. It received mixed reviews from music critics; some called it a pop hit, while others deemed it weak. The song was a moderate success, reaching number eight in New Zealand, number 20 in the United Kingdom, and the top 40 in several other countries, including Australia, France, and Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give Me a Reason (The Corrs song)</span> 2001 song by the Corrs

"Give Me a Reason" is a song by Irish pop rock group the Corrs. It was released in February 2001 as the third single taken from their third studio album In Blue (2000). The song was written and produced by the Corrs. "Give Me a Reason" is a dance-pop song, and received favourable reviews from music critics. The song reached number 27 in the United Kingdom and number 13 in New Zealand.

References

  1. 1 2 "Alternative Airplay" . Billboard . September 2, 2000. Retrieved August 5, 2023.
  2. Joshi, Tara (October 15, 2015). "'If I Die Before I Wake': We Spoke to OPM About 15 Years of "Heaven is a Halfpipe"". VICE. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
  3. OPM "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" on YouTube
  4. "Christian Hosoi Sentenced – 2001". 50-50.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2009.
  5. Heaven Is a Halfpipe (UK CD single liner notes). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2001. AT0107CD, 7567-84976-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. Heaven Is a Halfpipe (UK cassette single sleeve). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2000. AT0107C, 7567-84976-4.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  7. Heaven Is a Halfpipe (Australian CD single liner notes). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2000. 7567849762.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  8. Heaven Is a Halfpipe (German CD single liner notes). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2001. 7567-85156-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  9. "Issue 572" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  10. "OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
  11. "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 19, no. 30. July 21, 2001. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  12. "OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts.
  13. "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Irish Singles Chart.
  14. "OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
  15. "OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Top 40 Singles.
  16. "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  17. "OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Singles Top 100.
  18. "OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Swiss Singles Chart.
  19. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  20. "Most Played Modern Rock Songs of 2000". Airplay Monitor . Vol. 8, no. 51. December 22, 2000. p. 38.
  21. "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  22. "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  23. "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  24. "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus . Retrieved May 24, 2018.
  25. "British single certifications – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  26. "Alternative: Going for Adds" (PDF). Radio & Records . No. 1356. June 23, 2000. p. 114. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  27. "Singles" (PDF). ARIA. January 1, 2001. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 20, 2002. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
  28. "New Releases – For Week Starting July 2, 2001: Singles" (PDF). Music Week . June 30, 2001. p. 23. Retrieved August 14, 2021.