from JORDAN HILL
Written by Barry, Robin & Maurice Gibb
Around 1995, David Foster started his own record company, 143 Records, in a joint venture with the Warner Music Group. Among the first artists to be signed on 143 Records were The Corrs and Jordan Hill. With hits like “Runaway” and “Breathless,” The Corrs’ innovative mix of catchy pop sounds with traditional Irish music was a winner and brought them quickly to the top of the international music charts. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for the young and gifted Ms. Hill.
As usual, Foster meticulously crafted Ms. Hill’s self-titled debut cd with an impressive cast of collaborators and the same musical recipe that brought a string of giant hits on the charts for many artists. Sure, Jordan Hill spawned a couple of minor hits, but without leaving any solid mark for this newcomer. Ms. Hill had an impressive voice, but the overall flavor of Jordan Hill was a tad too much in the vein of Mariah Carey and music fans probably perceived Ms. Hill as a first-class copycat. The album had many fine moments including the danceable first single and previous Song of the Week, “For The Love Of You,” or a string of killer ballads like the second single, “How Many Times.” However, Ms. Hill didn’t win the hearts of radio programmers or music lovers. Foster was 100% behind Jordan Hill . He enlisted up’n’coming producers including Mario Winans and Soulshock & Karlin to work with him on the more up-tempo material. Foster co-wrote great adult contemporary ballads such as “Until The End Of Time” with Brian McKnight and another chart entry, “Remember Me This Way,” with his then-wife, Linda Thompson. Throughout the record, Ms. Hill, who was just 18 years old at the time of this recording, really did an amazing job under the Hitman’s direction. Additionally, it was another clever move to cover the classic 1979 Bee Gees’ hit, “Too Much Heaven,” featuring the unmistakable voice of Sir Barry Gibb.
“Too Much Heaven” is the pick for Song of the Week.
Foster arranged “Too Much Heaven” with great respect for the Bee Gees’ original, only adding programmed drums and synths that were the obvious choices in the nineties. Ms. Hill’s performance was perfect, powerful and accurate. She delivered a bit too much of Mariah Carey’s vocal tricks, yet definitely made this song her own. A total bonus? Sir Gibb’s unique harmonies that blended wonderfully with Ms. Hill’s amazing vocal. “Too Much Heaven” was eventually released as a single in the UK. However, it didn’t make the chart.
Listen
- Lead Vocals: Jordan Hill
- Backing Vocals: Barry Gibb
- Guitar: Michael Thompson
- Synthesizer: Claude Gaudette
- Programming: Gen Rubin
- Arranged by David Foster & Gen Rubin
- Backing Vocals Arranged by Barry Gibb
- Produced by David Foster
Lyrics
Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb
Oh you and me boy
Got a love in store
And it flows through you
And it flows through me
And I love you so much more
Than my life
I can see beyond forever
Everything we are will never die
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
Oh you make my world, a summer day
Are you just a dream, to fade away
Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb
Oh you and me boy
Got a highway to the sky
We can turn away
From the night and day
All the tears we had to cry
You’re my life
I can see a new tomorrow
Everything we are will never die
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
When you are to me
The light above
There for all to see
Our precious love
Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh
Loving’s such a beautiful thing
Oh you make my world
A summer day
Are you just a dream to fade away
Nobody gets too much heaven no more
It’s much harder to come by
I’m waiting in line
Nobody gets too much love anymore
It’s as high as a mountain
And harder to climb