Heaven's Open (song)

Infobox Single
Name = Heaven's Open


Cover size =
Caption =
Artist = Michael Oldfield
from Album = Heaven's Open
A-side =
B-side =
Released = start date|1991|1
Format = 7", 12" vinyl, CD
Recorded =
Genre = Progressive rock
Length =
Label = Virgin Records
Writer = Michael Oldfield
Producer = Thom Newman
Certification =
Last single = "Etude"
(1990)
This single = "Heaven's Open"
(1991)
Next single = "Gimme Back"
(1991)
Misc =

"Heaven's Open" is a single by musician Michael Oldfield, released in 1991 (see 1991 in music). It was the lead single from the album of the same name. The various formats were backed by a mix of the A-side which featured a melodic guitar line not included in the album version, along with two excerpts from "Amarok", Oldfield's previous album.

Oldfield was credited as "Michael" on this release, while producer and long-term collaborator Tom Newman was listed as "Thom Newman". This is due to the bad feelings between Oldfield and Virgin at the time. This is also from the last of Oldfield's albums with Virgin Records.

The song that became "Heaven's Open", was originally an early version of "Man in the Rain", planned for Oldfield's "Islands" album, with vocals by Barry Palmer. To get a 'loose' feel to the song, Oldfield encouraged the musicians to have a few drinks; this version however was deemed as "too loose" and not used [cite web |url=http://amarok.ommadawn.net/mike/discog/extras/raretracks2.htm |title=Rare Tracks |publisher=Ommadawn |accessdate=2008-05-09] .

The music video is available on the "Elements - The Best of Mike Oldfield" and is part cartoon and part live action. Oldfield sings, plays guitar and looks into a crystal ball. Oldfield plays a PRS Artist Custom in the video.

Track listing

# "Heaven's Open" - 4:31
# "Amarok" (excerpt I) - 3:09
# "Heaven's Open" (12" mix) - 4:33
# "Amarok" (excerpt V) - 2:29

References