"Heaven's on Fire" is a song by the American rock band Kiss. Written by vocalist/guitarist Paul Stanley and songwriter Desmond Child, it was the first single released from the group's 1984 album Animalize.[3]
| "Heaven's on Fire" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Single by Kiss | ||||
| from the album Animalize | ||||
| B-side | "Lonely Is the Hunter" | |||
| Released | September 15, 1984 (U.S.) | |||
| Recorded | Right Track Studios, New York City: 1984 | |||
| Genre | Glam metal[1][2] | |||
| Length | 3:18 | |||
| Label | Mercury 880 205-7 (US) | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Paul Stanley, Desmond Child | |||
| Producer(s) | Paul Stanley | |||
| Kiss singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Music video | ||||
| "Heaven's on Fire" on YouTube | ||||
Background
The opening "Woo-oo-oo" was a vocal warm-up by Stanley that was accidently recorded but was later added to the song.
Released as a single internationally in 1984, "Heaven's on Fire" charted in several countries, even though it failed to reach the top ten in any of the countries where it was released as a single.[4] It did reach #11 on Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks[5] and #49 on the Billboard Hot 100.[5] In addition, the song is one of only a select few from the bands' non-makeup era that has been performed live after the band returned to wearing makeup.
A video for the single was filmed and played on MTV, and was directed by David Lewis and produced by John Weaver.[6] It marked the only official promotional performance of the band with lead guitarist Mark St. John before he left the group due to problems in his hands caused by a painful, but temporary, form of arthritis called Reactive arthritis.
St. John would be replaced shortly afterwards by Bruce Kulick.
A live version of the song was recorded at Cobo Hall on December 8, 1984, as part of the Kiss: Animalize Live Uncensored video, and was later released on the Hear 'n Aid album.
Personnel
Kiss
- Paul Stanley – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
- Gene Simmons – bass guitar, backing vocals
- Eric Carr – drums, backing vocals
- Mark St. John – lead guitar
Additional musician
- Desmond Child – backing vocals
Charts
| Chart (1984-1985) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australian Singles (Kent Music Report)[7] | 62 |
| Canada Top Singles (RPM)[8] | 46 |
| Netherlands (Single Top 100)[9] | 34 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[10] | 19 |
| UK Singles (OCC)[11] | 43 |
| US Billboard Hot 100[12] | 49 |
| US Mainstream Rock (Billboard)[13] | 11 |