The Number One Song in Heaven

"The Number One Song in Heaven" is a disco song by the American rock duo Sparks. Released as a single in 1979, the song was produced and co-written by electro-disco producer Giorgio Moroder. It became a top 20 hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 14. In addition to the standard black vinyl, both the 7" and 12" versions of the single were issued in a variety of coloured vinyl releases (red, blue, and green).

"The Number One Song In Heaven"
Single by Sparks
from the album No. 1 in Heaven
Released1979
Recorded1979
GenreDisco, synthpop, hi-NRG
Length7:26
LabelVirgin Records (1979)
Roadrunner Records (1997)
Songwriter(s)Ron Mael, Russell Mael, Giorgio Moroder
Producer(s)Giorgio Moroder
Sparks singles chronology
"A Big Surprise"
(1977)		 "The Number One Song In Heaven"
(1979)		 "Beat the Clock"
(1979)
Alternative cover
Music video
"The Number One Song in Heaven" on YouTube

Sparks rerecorded the song in 1997, one version of which featured vocals by Jimmy Somerville and orchestrations by Tony Visconti. This version peaked at number 70 in the UK, but was slightly more successful on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart where it became a top 30 hit.

The song was featured in the closing credits of the 2013 film Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa.

Track listing

1979 release
  • 7 inch Virgin VS 244
  1. "The Number One Song in Heaven" — 3:48
  2. "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Long Version) — 6:56
  • 12 inch Virgin VS 244-12
  1. "The Number One Song in Heaven" — 4:02
  2. "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Long Version) — 7:27

1997 release
  • CD Single 1
  1. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Sparks Radio Edit) — 3:28
  2. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Extended Version With Jimmy Somerville) — 5:16
  3. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Part Two) — 4:05
  • CD Single 2
  1. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Sparks Radio Edit) — 3:28
  2. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Tin Tin Out Mix) — 8:15
  3. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Heavenly Dub) — 8:15
  4. "The Number One Song In Heaven" (Tin Tin Out Instrumental) — 9:14

Personnel
  • Ron Mael - keyboards, synthesiser, vocals
  • Russell Mael - vocals
  • Chris Bennett - backing vocals
  • Keith Forsey - drums
  • Jack Moran - backing vocals
  • Giorgio Moroder - synthesiser, vocoder
  • Dan Wyman - synthesiser programming
  • Dennis Young - backing vocals

Chart positions

Original release (1979)

Chart Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report)[1] 85
U.K. Singles Chart[2] 14
Irish Singles Chart [3] 5

1997 rerecording

Chart Peak
position
U.K. Singles Chart[2] 70
U.S. Dance Play 28

References
  1. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 286. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  2. "Sparks - Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 January 2016.
  3. "The Irish Charts - Sparks search". irishcharts.ie. Retrieved 2008-07-22.
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