Heaven Is a Halfpipe
"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (also known as "Heaven Is a Halfpipe (If I Die)")[2] is the debut single by American hip hop band OPM. It was included on their debut studio album, Menace to Sobriety (2000), and was released in October 2000.
"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" | ||||
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Single by OPM | ||||
from the album Menace to Sobriety | ||||
Released | October 2000[1] | |||
Recorded | 2000 | |||
Length | 4:18 | |||
Label | Atlantic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) | ||||
OPM singles chronology | ||||
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Music video | ||||
"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" on YouTube |
The song peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks and was a top 40 hit in several other nations, including the United Kingdom, where it reached number 4 on the UK Singles Chart. It was the 33rd best-selling single of 2001 in the UK, earning a Silver certification from the British Phonographic Industry. In 2018, its certification was upgraded to Gold for sales and streams of over 400,000.
The song was re-recorded in 2012 for the Heaven Can Wait EP.
Content
"Heaven Is a Halfpipe" is about a man who loves skateboarding, getting high and being free. He imagines Heaven being like a half-pipe, where he does not have to worry about the police ruining his good time ("cause right now on Earth I can't do jack / without the man upon my back"). The trick skills of professional skateboarders Christian Hosoi and Mike McGill are mentioned during the bridge ("Like Christian Hosoi way back in '87" / "We'll be busting Christ airs until we get to heaven" / "With all your rules, you gots to chill" / "I'm gonna twist out like Mike McGill" / "I'm gonna twist out cos I got the skills").
Music video
The music video features OPM doing skateboarding tricks on a large half-pipe and flying around. At the end of the video, they perform to a crowd. One man in the audience also wears a white T-shirt that says "FREE CHRISTIAN HOSOI", in reference to Hosoi's arrest in January 2000 for attempting to transport nearly 1.5 lb of crystal methamphetamine from Los Angeles to Honolulu.[3]
Track listings
US and Canadian promo CD single[4]
- "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (album edit clean) – 4:11
- "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (album edit ultra clean) – 4:15
- "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (album version) – 4:22
UK cassette single and European maxi-single[5][6]
- "Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (album version) – 4:18
- "Space People" – 3:45
- "Group Therapy" – 2:21
Charts and certifications
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
Certifications
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References
- "Singles" (PDF). ARIA. January 1, 2001. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 23, 2008. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- "OPM Chart History (Alternative Airplay)". Billboard.
- "Christian Hosoi Sentenced – 2001". 50-50.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2009.
- Heaven Is a Halfpipe (US & Canadian promo CD single liner notes). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2000. PRCD 300109.CS1 maint: others (link)
- Heaven Is a Halfpipe (UK cassette single sleeve). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2000. AT0107C, 7567-84976-4.CS1 maint: others (link)
- Heaven Is a Halfpipe (European maxi-single liner notes). OPM. Atlantic Records. 2000. AT0107CD, 7567-84976-2.CS1 maint: others (link)
- "Issue 572" ARIA Top 100 Singles. National Library of Australia. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- "Austriancharts.at – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40.
- "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 19 no. 30. July 21, 2001. p. 11. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- "Offiziellecharts.de – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". GfK Entertainment Charts.
- "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Irish Singles Chart.
- "Dutchcharts.nl – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe" (in Dutch). Single Top 100.
- "Charts.nz – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Top 40 Singles.
- "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Swedishcharts.com – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Singles Top 100.
- "Swisscharts.com – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". Swiss Singles Chart.
- "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
- "Jahreshitparade Singles 2001" (in German). Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- "Top 100 Single–Jahrescharts 2001" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- "Ireland – Top Singles for 2001". Allcharts. Archived from the original on May 5, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
- "The Official UK Singles Chart 2001" (PDF). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved May 24, 2018.
- "British single certifications – OPM – Heaven Is a Halfpipe". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 24, 2020.