Ghetto Heaven

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"Ghetto Heaven"
The Family Stand-Ghetto Heaven.jpg
Single by The Family Stand
from the album Chain
B-side"Remix"
Released1990
Genre
Length
  • 3:56 (Original)
  • 4:50 (Remix)
LabelAtlantic Records
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Peter Lord
The Family Stand singles chronology
"Ghetto Heaven"
(1990) 		"In Summer I Fall"
(1990)
Music video
"Ghetto Heaven" on YouTube

"Ghetto Heaven" is a 1990 song by American soul and R&B group The Family Stand, released as their debut single, from their second album, Chain. It features vocals by lead-singer Sandra St. Victor and was an international hit, peaking at number 10 in the UK in April 1990. 8 years later, in January 1998, the song again charted on the UK Singles Chart, peaking at number 30.[4] Additionally, it was a Top 10 hit in Luxembourg and a Top 20 hit in New Zealand. A music video was also made to accompany it. American band Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam sampled it on their 1991 hit, "Let the Beat Hit 'Em".

"I know when I do it, and I think I probably perform it the most, I always have to flip the song to keep it fresh. I have to find a way to make it feel fresh to me. When I hear the original, or the remix that became the hit, it feels timeless to a certain degree but in my head, I still hear people saying, "That was Soul II Soul, right?" No! It was the Family Stand so I don't want to be reminded. I try to flip it and make it feel more us. Lyrically-speaking, and the melody, I still think it's a great song."

—Sandra St. Victor talking to PopMatters about the song.[5]

Critical reception[]

Andrew Hamilton from AllMusic commented, "The much ballyhooed "Ghetto Heaven" attempts to capture the power of Marvin Gaye and Curtis Mayfield in social significancy but has the impact of a mosquitoe."[6] Bill Coleman from Billboard stated that "this multitalented outfit stands to win on its own terms this time out with an aggressively funky R&B track of considerable merit."[3] He also described it as "brilliant" and added that "this is music with a message and a groove enhanced by mixes by Jazzie B & Nellee Hooper of Soul II Soul."[7] Greg Sandow from Entertainment Weekly noted it as "a look at how people use love, liquor, and religion to escape the troubles of life".[8] Music & Media wrote, "A hip-hop number with a classic soul vocal. Soul II Soul meets early 70s Tamla Motown with a hint of Chaka Khan. Highly recommended."[1] Music Week put the song at number 5 in their Top 10 list, Pick Of The Year - Dance.[2] Carol Irving from Smash Hits said it is "a brooding, deeply groovy work of genius" and "so brilliant".[9]

Track listing[]

7" single, UK
No.TitleLength
1."Ghetto Heaven" (Remix Edit) 
2."Ghetto Heaven" (Original Version) 
12" single, Europe
No.TitleLength
1."Ghetto Heaven" (Remix)4:55
2."Ghetto Heaven" (Original Version)4:00
3."Ghetto Heaven" (Original Version)4:51
CD maxi, Europe
No.TitleLength
1."Ghetto Heaven" (The Remix)4:50
2."Ghetto Heaven" (The Dub)4:50
3."Ghetto Heaven" (The Original)3:56

Charts[]

Chart (1990) Peak
position
Europe (Eurochart Hot 100)[10] 24
Luxembourg (Radio Luxembourg)[11] 9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[12] 23
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 22
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 20
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 10
Chart (1998) Peak
position
Scotland (Official Charts Company)[15] 43
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) 30

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Previews: Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 31 March 1990. p. 14. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Dance" (PDF). Music Week. 22 December 1990. p. 11. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Coleman, Bill (31 March 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard. p. 78. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100 11 January 1998 - 17 January 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  5. ^ Wikane, Christian John (21 September 2010). "Stories to Tell: A Conversation with the Family Stand". PopMatters. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  6. ^ Hamilton, Andrew. "The Family Stand – Chain". AllMusic. Retrieved 5 November 2020.
  7. ^ Coleman, Bill (21 April 1990). "Dance Trax: R&B Tracks Provide A Slice Of 'Ghetto Heaven'" (PDF). Billboard. p. 25. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  8. ^ Sandow, Greg (11 May 1990). "Chain". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 11 November 2020.
  9. ^ Irving, Carol (16 May 1990). "Review: LPs". Smash Hits. No. 299. p. 54. Retrieved 15 October 2020.
  10. ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. 12 May 1990. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  11. ^ Radio Luxembourg Singles, 8 April 1990
  12. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – The Family Stand" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  14. ^ "Charts.nz – The Family Stand – Ghetto Heaven". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
  15. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 11 January 1998 - 17 January 1998". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 October 2020.
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