| Too Much Heaven | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| From the Album Spirits Having Flown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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"Too Much Heaven" is a song recorded by the Bee Gees, originally as their contribution to the "Music for UNICEF" fund. It was released as a single in 1978, then later included as the second track on their 1979 album Spirits Having Flown.
Recording
The process of recording "Too Much Heaven" was excessive and included 27 vocal tracks: Barry on falsetto lead 3 times, falsetto high harmony 3 times, and falsetto low harmony 3 times; Barry on natural voice lead 3 times, high harmony 3 times, and low harmony 3 times; Barry, Robin and Maurice together on lead 3 times, high harmony 3 times, and low harmony 3 times. The recording of this track was longer than any other on the album. The recording included the horn section of the band Chicago.
Music for UNICEF
At a news conference at United Nations in New York City in the summer of 1978, the Bee Gees announced that all publishing royalties on their single would go to UNICEF, which would be their contribution to support the International Year of the Child (1979). "Too Much Heaven" was released on October 24, 1978, and the Bee Gees performed it at the Music for UNICEF concert on January 9, 1979.
On September 24, the brothers and their family were invited to the White House by President Jimmy Carter as thanks for their generous donation. The brothers presented President Carter with one of their black satin tour jackets at the ceremony. Carter said he wasn't a disco fan, but had learned about their music from his daughter Amy, who was.
As of 2003, "Too Much Heaven" had earned over $7 million in publishing royalties.
In media
- The track was considered for the 1978 John Travolta movie Moment by Moment but was pulled as Barry disliked the film.
- The track was featured in the 2001 film Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Covers
- German rapper Nana released "Too Much Heaven" on January 12, 1997, which peaked at No. 2 on the German charts.
- Norwegian pop band M2M used the chorus as the chorus in their 2000 song "Our Song".
- Pop band US5 released a cover in 2007 as a duet with Robin Gibb. The single peaked at No. 7 in Germany
Awards
- Certified silver in the UK on November 1, 1978.
- Certified gold in the US on November 22.
- Reached No. 1 in the US and Canada on January 6, 1979.
- Reached No. 1 in South Africa on February 2.
- Certified platinum in the US February 9.