Hands to Heaven – Breathe

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Adult Contemporary (chart), billboard hot 100, Breathe, Hands to Heaven, Johnny Hates Jazz, love song, music sheet, sheet music, Steve Winwood, UK Singles Chart, United States

“Hands to Heaven“ is the title of a popular song released in 1987 and peaking on the charts in 1988 (see 1988 in music) by the British pop group Breathe. The song was written by group members David Glasper (lead vocals) and Marcus Lillington (guitar, keyboard).

Although it was released as the first single from the group’s debut album All That Jazz, “Hands to Heaven” was not Breathe’s debut single; the group had recorded and released songs prior to signing an album deal with A&M Records. One of these songs, “Don’t Tell Me Lies“, reached #77 on the UK Singles Chart in 1986 before being included on Breathe’s debut album and subsequently being reissued.

“Hands to Heaven” was, however, Breathe’s breakthrough hit in both the UK as well as the United States. The ballad peaked at #4 on the UK Singles Chart in August 1988.^[1] In the US, it logged two weeks at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart that same month (kept from the summit by “Roll with It” by Steve Winwood) and spent 16 weeks in the Top 40.^[2] “Hands to Heaven” also peaked at #2 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart.^[3]

The song reached #4 in Norway and #14 in Sweden.^[4]

This song was one of a number of singles, many by British and Australian bands, that helped to shape the smooth jazz radio format in the US in the mid to late 1980s. Other associated artists include Swing Out Sister, Johnny Hates Jazz, Icehouse and Sade. (source: Wikipedia)