"The Number One Song in Heaven" is a disco song by American rock duo Sparks. Released as a single in 1979, the song was produced and co-written by electro-disco producer Giorgio Moroder. It became a top 20 hit in the UK, where it peaked at number 14. In addition to the standard black vinyl, both the 7" and 12" versions of the single were issued in a variety of coloured vinyl releases (red, blue, and green).
Sparks re-recorded the song in 1997, one version of which featured vocals by Scottish singer Jimmy Somerville of British synth-pop groups Bronski Beat and the Communards and orchestrations by Tony Visconti. This version peaked at number 70 in the UK, but was slightly more successful on the U.S. Billboard Dance Chart where it became a top 30 hit.
Track listing 1979 release 7 inch Virgin VS 244 "The Number One Song in Heaven" – 3:48 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (long version) – 6:56 12 inch Virgin VS 244-12 "The Number One Song in Heaven" – 4:02 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (long version) – 7:27
1997 release CD single 1 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Sparks radio edit) – 3:28 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (extended version with Jimmy Somerville) – 5:16 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (part two) – 4:05 CD single 2 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Sparks radio edit) – 3:28 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Tin Tin Out mix) – 8:15 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Heavenly dub) – 8:15 "The Number One Song in Heaven" (Tin Tin Out instrumental) – 9:14
Personnel Sparks Ron Mael – keyboards, synthesizer, vocals Russell Mael – vocals
Additional musicians Chris Bennett – backing vocals Keith Forsey – drums Jack Moran – backing vocals Giorgio Moroder – synthesizer, vocoder Dan Wyman – synthesizer programming Dennis Young – backing vocals
Charts 1979 original release Chart Peakposition Australia (Kent Music Report) 85 UK Singles (OCC) 14 Ireland (IRMA) 5 1997 re-recording Chart Peakposition Scotland (OCC) 54 UK Singles (OCC) 70 US Dance Play (Billboard) 28
References
External links Audio only video with extended lyrics and Short version each on the band's official YouTube channel