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Say Hello 2 Heaven
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Wikipedia article
{{Infobox song
| name = Say Hello 2 Heaven
| cover = Temple_of_the_Dog_Say_Hello_2_Heaven.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Temple of the Dog
| album = Temple of the Dog
| B-side = Wooden Jesus
| released = 1991
| recorded = NovemberDecember 1990 at London Bridge Studios, Seattle, Washington
| studio =
| venue =
| genre =
| length = 6:22
| label = A&M
| writer = Chris Cornell
| producer = Rick Parashar, Temple of the Dog
| prev_title = Hunger Strike
| prev_year = 1991
| next_title = Pushin Forward Back
| next_year = 1991
| misc =
}}
"'Say Hello 2 Heaven'" is a song by the American rock band Temple of the Dog. Written by vocalist Chris Cornell, "Say Hello 2 Heaven" was released in 1991 as the second single from the band's sole studio album, 'Temple of the Dog' (1991). The song reached number five on the 'Billboard' Mainstream Rock Tracks chart.
Cornell wrote "Say Hello 2 Heaven" as a tribute to his roommate, Mother Love Bone vocalist Andrew Wood, who at the time had recently died of a heroin overdose. "Say Hello 2 Heaven" was also their only song deemed lyrically inappropriate following the September 11th terrorist attacks.
Origin and recording
"Say Hello 2 Heaven" was one of two songs, the other being "Reach Down", to be written by vocalist Chris Cornell when he was on tour with Soundgarden in Europe prior to approaching former Mother Love Bone members Jeff Ament and Stone Gossard to record the songs.Turman, Katherine. "Life Rules." 'RIP'. October 1991 The recordings were originally planned to be released merely as a single before Temple of the Dog formed and decided to write more music. Cornell stated:
Right after Andy died, we [Soundgarden] went to Europe, and it was horrible, because I couldn't talk about it, and there was no one who had loved him around. I wrote two songs, "Reach Down" and "Say Hello 2 Heaven". That was pretty much how I dealt with it. When we came back, I recorded them right away. They seemed different from what Soundgarden naturally does, and they seemed to fit together. They seemed like music he would like. I got the idea to release them as a single, and to get at least Stone and Jeff, or all of Love Bone, to play on it. I had the idea for a couple days, then, with an artist's lack of self-confidence, I decided it was a stupid idea. Somehow those guys heard the tape, and they were really, really excited. Stone and Jeff and our drummer, Matt, had been working on a demo for what ended up being Pearl Jam, so we had the idea that we would make an EP or a record, and maybe even do some of Andy's solo songs.
In a 2016 interview, Cornell stated:
With all thats been written about Temple of the Dog recently, its reminded me of the original meanings of those songs. Say Hello 2 Heaven, for example, was one of the songs I wrote directly for Andy Wood and the amount of times someone has requested I play that song for someone else whos died have been numerous. Thats great that its become this anthem that makes somebody feel some comfort when theyve lost someone, but recently Ive become a little more possessive of the idea that this song was actually written for a specific guy and I havent forgotten that person. So Ive been reminding myself and those in the audience where that song came from.
Release and reception
"Say Hello 2 Heaven" peaked at number five on the 'Billboard' Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. Outside the United States, the single was released commercially in Germany and the United Kingdom. David Browne of 'Entertainment Weekly' called the song "something of an alternative-rock power ballad."
Live performances
"Say Hello 2 Heaven" was first performed live at the band's November 13, 1990, concert in Seattle, Washington at the Off Ramp Caf. Cornell added "Say Hello 2 Heaven" to his solo live set in 2007.
Track listing
All songs written by Chris Cornell.
;7" Vinyl (Germany)
#"Say Hello 2 Heaven" 6:22
#"Wooden Jesus" 4:09
;CD (Germany and UK)
#"Say Hello 2 Heaven" (edit) - 4:25
#"Say Hello 2 Heaven" 6:22
#"Wooden Jesus" 4:09
;Promotional CD (US)
#"Say Hello 2 Heaven" (edit) - 4:25
#"Say Hello 2 Heaven" 6:22
Chart positions
References
Category:1991 singles
Category:Songs based on real people
Category:Songs inspired by deaths
Category:Temple of the Dog songs
Category:Songs written by Chris Cornell
Category:Song recordings produced by Matt Cameron
Category:Song recordings produced by Jeff Ament
Category:Song recordings produced by Stone Gossard
Category:Song recordings produced by Mike McCready
Category:Song recordings produced by Eddie Vedder
Category:Song recordings produced by Chris Cornell
Category:Song recordings produced by Rick Parashar
Category:Alternative rock ballads
Category:1991 songs
Category:A&M Records singles
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