Heaven Knows (Donna Summer song)

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"Heaven Knows"
Donnaheavenknows.jpg
German single picture sleeve
Single by Donna Summer featuring Brooklyn Dreams
from the album Live and More
B-side "Only One Man (Live)"
ReleasedDecember 9, 1978
Recorded1978
Genre
Length3:39
Label Casablanca
Songwriter(s) Donna Summer, Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte
Producer(s) Giorgio Moroder, Pete Bellotte
Donna Summer featuring Brooklyn Dreams singles chronology
"MacArthur Park"
(1978)
"Heaven Knows"
(1978)
"Hot Stuff"
(1979)

"Heaven Knows" is a song by American singer Donna Summer, with guest vocals from Brooklyn Dreams. It is a single from Summer's Live and More album. The song became a number 4 hit for Summer in the US [1] the week of March 17, 1979, and held there for three weeks. It features the group Brooklyn Dreams with vocals by Joe "Bean" Esposito.

Contents

On the single version released by Summer (credited as Donna Summer with Brooklyn Dreams), Brooklyn Dreams singer Joe "Bean" Esposito sings second lead to Summer on the verses while Summer sings the chorus. However, on the version that appears on Brooklyn Dreams's 1979 album, Sleepless Nights, it is Esposito who sings the lead vocal on the verses with Summer singing second lead, and with Summer and the group provide backing vocals on the chorus. On the group's album, this version is credited as Brooklyn Dreams with Donna Summer.

A 12" single of Summer's version, at 6 minutes and 45 seconds, was prepared with the first verse sung by Summer solo, and the remaining verses with Summer and Esposito. It was unissued at the time but later appeared as a bonus track on a reissue of Sleepless Nights.

Cash Box said of Summers' single version that "Esposito has a deep shimmering voice while Donna reigns during soaring moments." [2] Record World said that the song is "as polished as you'd expect." [3]

Chart performance

Certifications and sales

Certifications for "Heaven Knows"
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [18] Gold75,000^
United States (RIAA) [19] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

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