"Show Me Heaven" is a power ballad written by Maria McKee, Eric Rackin and Jay Rifkin, and recorded by McKee and produced by Peter Asher for the soundtrack to the Tom Cruise film Days of Thunder, released in June 1990. The song reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks and went on the become the sixth highest-selling single of 1990 in the UK. Additionally, the song became a worldwide hit, topping the charts of Belgium, the Netherlands and Norway and becoming a top-five hit in Australia, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland. It has since been covered by numerous other artists.
Background
"Show Me Heaven" originated as "Secret Fire", a track written by Eric Rackin and Jay Rifkin for the soundtrack of Days of Thunder. When Geffen contacted McKee in the hope she would record the song, the singer dismissed the idea, but the label insisted they send her the demo tape for consideration. On hearing the demo, McKee felt the lyrics were "appalling". She told Simon Mayo in 1991: "I liked the melody but I said I'd only do it if I could change the lyrics." McKee's demand was initially refused, but she was later given permission to rewrite the lyrics.
Critical reception
The song received favorable reviews from most music critics. Aberdeen Press and Journal described it as "more heaven from the former Lone Justice singer." They complimented McKee's "superbly lazy, yet faultless" vocals. Jeffery Kennedy from Bay Area Reporter said it was "a blatant Hollywood hyperballad that perfectly showcased her gilded throat". Greg Sandow from Entertainment Weekly called it "affecting" in his review of the Days of Thunder Soundtrack. John Wirt from The News-Journal noted it as "stunning" and a "love song with bite." Tom Ewing from Freaky Trigger called it a "post-Madonna power ballad" and added that McKee "can belt, but she's most comfortable away from the chorus, giving "Show Me Heaven" a more tender and dynamic performance." Dave Sholin from the Gavin Report wrote that "there aren't many singers on the planet who can outdo Maria's remarkable vocal range. It was her voice that first endeared me to her band Lone Justice. Now as a soloist, she puts all that special ability to the test on the heart-stopping love theme from the Tom Cruise film, Days of Thunder. A couple of listens won me over." Gene Sandbloom from The Network Forty said that McKee "has a tremendous voice and stage presence", and called the song "one of the most memorable ballads of the year." He noted that "before you even get to the chorus, you know this is the kind of heart warming song that can't miss bringing in across the board demos come weekly music research time. If you missed the film, don't worry. If you didn't like McKee's past work, forget it. This is one of those magic moments when everything falls perfectly into place, and you'll realize it with one listen." Sunday Tribune noted it as "a Californian voice of an angel".
Chart performance
"Show Me Heaven" spent four weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart, ending the year as the country's sixth highest-selling single, and is McKee's only UK number-one as a performer. The power ballad had even greater success in Norway, topping the Norwegian Singles Chart for 10 weeks. The track was also a number-one success in Belgium and the Netherlands. "Show Me Heaven" failed to enter the US BillboardHot 100 but did reach number 28 on the BillboardAdult Contemporary chart. In Canada, "Show Me Heaven" reached number 69 on the RPM Top Singles chart and number 30 on the RPM Adult Contemporary chart. Elsewhere, the single reached number two in Ireland and Sweden, number three in Australia, number four in Switzerland, and the top 20 in Austria, Germany and New Zealand.
Australian singer Tina Arena released her version of "Show Me Heaven" as the fifth single from her 1994 album Don't Ask. Although it did not chart in her home country, her version of the song reached number 29 in the United Kingdom, number 33 in New Zealand and number 78 in Germany. It also peaked at number three on the US BillboardBubbling Under Hot 100 and number 52 on the Canadian RPM Adult Contemporary chart.
In 1993, Cheap Tricklead singerRobin Zander released a version of the song on his self-titled debut solo album. Zander's version was issued as a single and features McKee on backing vocals.
Laura Branigan recorded the song and featured it as one of two new tracks on her 1995 greatest hits album, The Best of Branigan.
Swedish pop singer Cecilia Vennersten sang a Swedish version of the song, "Sjunde himlen finns", included on her 1995 album Cecilia Vennersten.
A dance version of "Show Me Heaven" by Chimira peaked at number 70 on the UK Singles Chart in 1997.
In 2002, Nadine Coyle performed "Show Me Heaven" on Popstars The Rivals en route to winning a spot in the group Girls Aloud.
Another dance version of the song, by Saint, peaked at number 36 in 2003.
In 2004, the ghotic metal band Elis recorded the song as a bonus track in its album "Dark Clouds in a Perfect Sky".
Mariama Goodman recorded her own version of the song, which was leaked on YouTube.
