Heaven (Jay-Z song)

2013 song by Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake

"Heaven"

Song by Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake
from the album  Magna Carta Holy Grail
Released| July 4, 2013
Recorded| 2013
Genre| Hip hop
Length| 4:03
Label|

* Roc-A-Fella
* Roc Nation
* Universal

Songwriter(s)|

* Justin Timberlake
* Shawn Carter
* Terius Nash
* Timothy Mosley
* Jerome Harmon
* William Berry
* Peter Buck
* Mike Mills
* Michael Stipe
* Adrian Younge

Producer(s)|

* Timbaland
* J-Roc

"Heaven" is a song recorded by American rapper Jay-Z for his twelfth studio album Magna Carta Holy Grail (2013), featuring American recording artist Justin Timberlake. The song was written by Jay-Z, Timberlake, The-Dream, R.E.M., Adrian Younge, Timbaland, and J-Roc, while the production was handled by the latter two. It touches on subjects of religious allegory and an interrogation of organized religion. The song has since peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles.

## Background

[edit]

On "Heaven", Jay-Z questions the meaning of religion and once again shoots down rumors that he is part of the secret organization Illuminati.[1] He explained the song in a promotional video for Samsung, saying,

> "No matter what religion you are, accept the other people's idea. Because, have you ever been to heaven? This song is toying with the idea of it being on Heaven or Hell on earth. My idea of being on Heaven is in your daughter's laughter. Hell could be if your child missing's for three minutes; you in three minutes of Hell."[2][3]

The song indulges in religious allegory, and is one of the few songs on Magna Carta Holy Grail that touches upon existential and spiritual themes.[4] Throughout the song he ponders faith, superstition and free thinking.[5]

The songs features Jay-Z rapping a lyric of rock band R.E.M.'s 1991 single "Losing My Religion".[1] Following the album's release, former frontman of R.E.M. Michael Stipe told NME that he was "thrilled" and that it was a "great honor" that Jay-Z included the lyrics in one of his songs.[6][7]

## Release and promotion

[edit]

On June 25, 2013, "Heaven" became the second song from Magna Carta Holy Grail (after the lead single "Holy Grail") to have its partial lyrics revealed by the JAY Z MAGNA CARTA App via Samsung.[1][8] On June 27, 2013, Jay-Z released a video via the same app of him discussing the song in depth with superproducer Rick Rubin.[9]

## Critical reception

[edit]

"Heaven" was met with generally positive reviews, with most critics praising it over the hit lead single, another Jay-Z/Justin Timberlake collaboration, "Holy Grail". Ian Cohen of Pitchfork praised the song as one of the album's strong points, stating, "Heaven" is the most thought-provoking spiritual meditation [Jay-Z's] written, and the willful misreading of "Losing My Religion" is used to powerful effect.[10] David Weiss of Paste credited "Heaven" for setting off the most interesting section of the album, ending at the Beyoncé-featuring "Part II (On the Run)". Del F. Cowie of Exclaim! said the song's production "sounded like a long-lost Wu-Tang instrumental somehow bereft of an Inspectah Deck verse."[4] Randall Roberts of the Los Angeles Times praised the song's production by Timbaland, saying: "The producer and rapper move with the coordination of expert magicians juggling Champagne bottles and knives."[11]

Louis Pattison of NME gave a more mixed review, related to Jay-Z not taking full advantage of the subject matter.[12] Grant Jones of RapReviews said of the song: "The piercing "Heaven" starts off well, with an intriguing defense of Illuminati rumours from Jay, but shortly falls back on his lavish lifestyle, using Maybachs and Lamborghinis as metaphors for angels."[13] In a negative review, Colin McGuire of PopMatters called the R.E.M. sample awkward and cheesy.[14] Mike Diver of Clash also discredited Jay-Z for not taking advantage of the "rich imagery" of the R.E.M. sample.[15]

## Charts

[edit]

Chart (2013)  | Peak
position

|

US Bubbling Under Hot 100 (Billboard)[16] | 10
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[17] | 46

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Jay-Z Loses His Religion, Samples R.E.M. On 'Heaven' – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV.com. 2013-06-25. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
2. ^ "Jay-Z Talks Song "Heaven"". Complex. 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
3. ^ "Jay-Z Breaks Down "Heaven" and "Jay-Z Blue" (Video)". MissInfo.tv. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
4. ^ a b Cowie, Del F. "Jay Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail • Hip-Hop Reviews •". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
5. ^ Pareles, Jon (4 July 2013). "Daddy Dearest". The New York Times.
6. ^ Rosen, Craig (July 17, 2013). "R.E.M.'s Stipe 'Thrilled' to be Part of Jay-Z's 'Heaven' – Yahoo! Music". Music.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
7. ^ "Michael Stipe is 'thrilled' Jay-Z used REM lyrics on 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' | News". Nme.Com. 2013-07-17. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
8. ^ "Jay-Z's Magna Carta Track "Heaven" References R.E.M.'s "Losing My Religion" | News". Pitchfork. 2013-06-25. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
9. ^ Montanez, Eric. "Jay-Z Discusses Meaning Behind "Heaven"". Hypetrak. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
10. ^ "Jay-Z: Magna Carta Holy Grail | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. 2013-07-08. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
11. ^ Roberts, Randall (2013-07-05). "Review: Jay-Z's 'Magna Carta Holy Grail' full of empty boasts". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
12. ^ "NME Album Reviews – Jay-Z – 'Magna Carta Holy Grail'". Nme.Com. 2013-07-19. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
13. ^ "Feature for July 9, 2013 - Jay-Z's "Magna Carta... Holy Grail"". Rapreviews.com. 2013-07-09. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
14. ^ McGuire, Colin (11 July 2013). "Jay-Z: Magna Carta...Holy Grail (take two)". PopMatters. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
15. ^ "Jay-Z – Magna Carta… Holy Grail | Reviews | Clash Magazine". Clashmusic.com. 4 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-09-05.
16. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard.
17. ^ "Jay-Z Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard.

* v
* t
* e

Jay-Z songs

* Albums discography
* Singles discography
* Videography

Reasonable Doubt|

* "Can't Knock the Hustle"
* "Dead Presidents"
* "Feelin' It"
* "Ain't No Nigga"

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1|

* "The City Is Mine"
* "(Always Be My) Sunshine"
* "Wishing on a Star"

Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life|

* "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)"
* "Nigga What, Nigga Who (Originator 99)"
* "Money, Cash, Hoes"
* "Can I Get A..."

Vol. 3...
Life and Times of S. Carter|

* "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)"
* "Things That U Do"
* "Big Pimpin'"
* "Jigga My Nigga"
* "Girl's Best Friend"

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia|

* "Change the Game"
* "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)"
* "Guilty Until Proven Innocent"

The Blueprint|

* "Takeover"
* "Izzo (H.O.V.A.)"
* "Girls, Girls, Girls"
* "Jigga That Nigga"
* "Song Cry"
* "Renegade"

The Blueprint 2:
The Gift & The Curse|

* "Hovi Baby"
* "The Watcher 2"
* "'03 Bonnie & Clyde"
* "Excuse Me Miss"
* "The Bounce"
* "La-La-La" (The Blueprint 2.1)

The Black Album|

* "What More Can I Say"
* "Encore"
* "Change Clothes"
* "Dirt off Your Shoulder"
* "99 Problems"
* "Public Service Announcement"
* "My 1st Song"

Unfinished Business
(with R. Kelly)|

* "Big Chips"
* "Don't Let Me Die"

Kingdom Come|

* "Show Me What You Got"
* "Lost One"
* "Hollywood"

American Gangster|

* "Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)..."
* "I Know"
* "Blue Magic"

The Blueprint 3|

* "D.O.A. (Death of Auto-Tune)"
* "Run This Town"
* "Empire State of Mind"
* "On to the Next One"
* "A Star Is Born"
* "Young Forever"

Watch the Throne
(with Kanye West)|

* "No Church in the Wild"
* "Lift Off"
* "Niggas in Paris"
* "Otis"
* "Gotta Have It"
* "Welcome to the Jungle"
* "Who Gon Stop Me"
* "Murder to Excellence"
* "Made in America"
* "Why I Love You"

| Deluxe|

* "H•A•M"
* "The Joy"

|

Magna Carta Holy Grail|

* "Holy Grail"
* "Picasso Baby"
* "Tom Ford"
* "FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt"
* "Oceans"
* "Heaven"
* "Part II (On the Run)"

4:44|

* "The Story of O.J."
* "4:44"
* "Family Feud"
* "Bam"

Other songs|

* "In My Lifetime"
* "Who You Wit"
* "It's Alright"
* "Anything"
* "Honey"
* "Numb/Encore"
* "Swagga Like Us"
* "Jockin' Jay-Z (Dopeboy Fresh)"
* "Brooklyn Go Hard"
* "Lost!"
* "Stranded (Haiti Mon Amour)"
* "Glory"
* "Clique"
* "All the Way Up" (Remix)
* "Apeshit"
* "Boss"
* "What It Feels Like"

Featured songs|

* "Show & Prove"
* "I'll Be"
* "Be Alone No More" (Remix)
* "Money Ain't a Thang"
* "Ha" (Remix)
* "Heartbreaker"
* "Best of Me, Part 2"
* "4 da Fam"
* "My Mind Right" (Remix)
* "Is That Your Chick (The Lost Verses)"
* "Do My..."
* "Fiesta" (Remix)
* "Welcome to New York City"
* "Guess Who's Back"
* "What We Do"
* "Beware of the Boys (Mundian To Bach Ke)"
* "Back in the Day"
* "Crazy in Love"
* "Frontin'"
* "Get By" (Remix)
* "Never Let Me Down"
* "Dear Summer"
* "Diamonds from Sierra Leone" (Remix)
* "Shake It Off" (Remix)
* "Go Crazy"
* "Get Throwed"
* "Déjà Vu"
* "Upgrade U"
* "Umbrella"
* "I Get Money (Forbes 1-2-3 Billion Dollar Remix)"
* "Rehab" (Remix)
* "Bye Bye" (Remix)
* "Mr. Carter"
* "Put On" (Remix)
* "Go Hard" (Remix)
* "My President (DC Mix)"
* "I Wanna Rock (The Kings' G-Mix)"
* "Hot Tottie"
* "XXXO" (Remix)
* "Power" (Remix)
* "So Appalled"
* "Monster"
* "Shiny Suit Theory"
* "I Do"
* "Talk That Talk"
* "Suit & Tie"
* "Bitch, Don't Kill My Vibe" (Remix)
* "Pound Cake"
* "Know Bout Me"
* "Drunk in Love"
* "The Devil Is a Lie"
* "They Don't Love You No More"
* "Jungle" (Remix)
* "Seen It All"
* "Pop Style"
* "Drug Dealers Anonymous"
* "I Got the Keys"
* "Shining"
* "Biking"
* "Top Off"
* "Talk Up"
* "Sorry Not Sorry"
* "Jail"
* "Love All"
* "Neck & Wrist"
* "God Did"

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Justin Timberlake songs

* Discography
* Songs

Justified|

* "Like I Love You"
* "Cry Me a River"
* "Rock Your Body"
* "Señorita"

Live from London|

* "I'm Lovin' It"

FutureSex/LoveSounds|

* "FutureSex/LoveSound"
* "SexyBack"
* "My Love"
* "What Goes Around... Comes Around"
* "LoveStoned"
* "Until the End of Time"
* "Summer Love"

The 20/20 Experience|

* "Pusher Love Girl"
* "Suit & Tie"
* "Don't Hold the Wall"
* "Strawberry Bubblegum"
* "Tunnel Vision"
* "Let the Groove Get In"
* "Mirrors"

The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2|

* "Gimme What I Don't Know (I Want)"
* "Cabaret"
* "TKO"
* "Take Back the Night"
* "Drink You Away"
* "Not a Bad Thing"

Trolls|

* "Can't Stop the Feeling!"
* "What U Workin' With?"

Man of the Woods|

* "Filthy"
* "Supplies"
* "Man of the Woods"
* "Say Something"

Everything I Thought It Was|

* "Selfish"
* "No Angels"
* "Drown"

Other songs|

* "SoulMate"
* "The Other Side"

Collaborations|

* "3-Way (The Golden Rule)"
* "3D"
* "4 Minutes"
* "Ayo Technology"
* "Believe"
* "Can't Believe It"
* "Carry Out"
* "Dead and Gone"
* "Dick in a Box"
* "Give It to Me"
* "Hallelujah"
* "Heaven"
* "Holy Grail"
* "Keep Going Up"
* "Love Dealer"
* "Love Never Felt So Good"
* "Love Sex Magic"
* "Motherlover"
* "The Only Promise That Remains"
* "Release"
* "Rehab"
* "Signs"
* "Better Days"
* "Stay with Me"
* "Work It"
* "Winner"

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