Two Tickets to Paradise

"Two Tickets to Paradise" is a song by American rock singer Eddie Money from his 1977 self-titled debut album, Eddie Money. It was released as a single in June 1978 and reached number 22 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has since become a staple of classic rock radio, as well as Eddie Money's signature song.[2]

For the 2006 film, see Two Tickets to Paradise (film).
"Two Tickets to Paradise"
Artwork for the German vinyl release
Single by Eddie Money
from the album Eddie Money
B-side"Don't Worry"
ReleasedJune 1978[1]
Recorded1977
Genre
Length
  • 4:00 (album version)
  • 3:07 (single remix)
LabelColumbia
Songwriter(s)Eddie Money
Producer(s)Bruce Botnick
Eddie Money singles chronology
"Baby Hold On"
(1977)		 "Two Tickets to Paradise"
(1978)		 "You've Really Got a Hold on Me"
(1979)

Background and content

Money wrote the song about his girlfriend at the time. His girlfriend's mother wanted her to marry a doctor or a lawyer, not a musician. Money wrote the song in the hope of being allowed to take his girlfriend on vacation.

Release

The 45 RPM record single mix of the song is considerably different from the now more familiar version that appears on the Eddie Money album, a vast number of Money compilation albums, and digital releases of the song. The album version is broken up into three verses and two choruses with a harmony section of "whoa whoa" right before the third verse, while the re-recorded single version is three verses and three choruses, with the third verse sung over the aforementioned "whoa" harmony section. Money re-recorded his entire lead vocal for the single version and guitar riffs were added during the "waited so long" parts. The lyrics to the chorus changed slightly: instead of "I've got two tickets to paradise, I've got two tickets to paradise" after "pack your bags, we leave tonight", it became "Baby, it'll be so nice, for I've got two tickets to paradise". The single mix is substantially different with different lead guitar parts appearing throughout. Lastly, the album version has a conclusive ending featuring a snare and bass drum hit, whereas the single version has a brief fade-out featuring a sustained chord on organ. The single runs 3:07 minutes compared to the 4:00 minute album version.

The single version has been reissued on the Playlist: The Very Best of Eddie Money compilation CD. The guitar solo was performed by Jimmy Lyon.

Musical

An autobiographical musical play titled Two Tickets to Paradise is a story of Eddie Money's life and musical focus.[3][4]

Television

Video games

Films
  • The song is heard playing in the background of an iconic scene from the 2004 film Sideways in which the lead characters are talking in a bar.
  • In one of the beginning scenes of the 2007 film Balls of Fury, Randy's co-performing counterpart can be seen (and heard) singing a karaoke version of the song with a parrot.
  • There is a reference in the 2014 movie Good Kill where one of the characters starts singing "I've got two tickets to Paradise..." (min 0:26:48)
  • It appears in the 2010 movie Grown Ups.

Chart history
Charts (1978) Peak
position
Australia (Kent Music Report) 86
Canadian RPM Top Singles 14
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 22
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 20

References
  1. http://www.45cat.com/record/310765
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 443.
  3. "Eddie Money's Two Tickets To Paradise, The Musical". life.molloy.edu. January 16, 2015.
  4. Jacobson, Aileen (May 6, 2009). "He's Eddie Money on Stage. Now Someone Else Will Be Too". The New York Times.
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