The Alternate Chorus For “Heaven” That Was Scrapped For Being “Too Happy”

April 1, 2025

In a small, dimly lit studio filled with scattered sheet music and old guitars, a young artist named Josie hunched over her piano, fingers poised above the keys. It was 1990, the year she would release her first big album, and the pressure weighed heavily on her shoulders. With a heart full of dreams and inspiration, she was determined to make a splash in the music world. The song “Heaven” was meant to be the centerpiece of her album, a heartfelt ballad reflecting hope and light. But as she crafted her vision, an alternate chorus began to emerge—a chorus so joyful and upbeat that it made her smile every time she played it.

The original chorus had a somber beauty, capturing the struggles and pain of life, but this new version was a burst of sunshine. It was filled with vivid imagery of dancing clouds, laughter echoing in the air, and the warmth of love wrapping around the listener like a soft blanket. Josie felt truly alive while singing those vibrant lines. “In this heaven, we can soar, together forever, who could ask for more?” she sang, her voice ringing through the studio, bright and joyful. Yet, deep down, she sensed something was amiss. Would the world be ready for such a happy anthem?

When it came time to share the song with her producer, a seasoned man with sharp instincts, his reaction was unexpected. “It’s too happy, Josie,” he declared, shaking his head. “It doesn’t feel real. People want to connect with the struggles, not just the joy.” His words struck her like a thunderbolt. For a moment, doubt clouded her mind. Was she going to compromise her vision just to fit into someone else’s idea of success? After all, music was her passion and a means of expressing her truth.

Determined not to let go of her uplifting chorus entirely, Josie fought for it. She suggested a compromise: intertwining the uplifting lines with the more somber ones while still preserving the essence of what made “Heaven” special. Eventually, they reached a balance, but the pure joy of the alternate chorus was left behind, tucked away in her notebook like a precious secret. As the album was released, the world embraced her music, but sometimes, late at night, she would find herself playing that scrapped chorus, remembering the freedom it brought her.

Interestingly, the alternate version of “Heaven” became a part of her story, something she would share in interviews. “You know, I learned that music is about balance,” she would tell her fans. “It’s okay to embrace both the light and the dark.” Over the years, her career flourished, and she became known for her ability to evoke emotion in any form, celebrating both happiness and sorrow. That scrapped chorus, which had felt like a chain holding her back, eventually became the spark that ignited her journey of resilience.

Years later, at a concert filled with thousands of cheering fans, Josie found herself standing at the center of the stage, reflecting on how far she had come. In that moment of connection and unity, she sang the core message of “Heaven” with fervor. Her heart soared, knowing she had stayed true to herself, honoring both her struggles and her joys, and inspiring others to find their own blend of happiness within life’s complexities. She realized that sometimes the brightest choruses are the ones we create ourselves, even if they initially feel too happy for the world to accept.