The band's first, self-titled album was released in 1988, and it met with a great fan response as well as gave the band two hit singles in the United States: "When I See You Smile" and "Price of Love". Positive reviews followed by massive tours built up immense expectations about the songwriting talent of the band in their future endeavors. However, on their second album, entitled 'Backlash', the one and only single failed to enter the U.S. Top 40, peaking instead at only number 42. Critical views were also mixed on the release.
Soon after the band recorded their second album 'Backlash', in 1991, the group disbanded. Members went their separate ways even before the album could be mixed. In a later interview, frontman John Waite said that, while he enjoyed playing to stadium-sized audiences again, he wasn't happy with the somewhat 'corporate rock' image that the Bad English had been tagged as having. He has since had a solo career focused more on mellower singer-songwriter music.
Heaven Is A 4 Letter Word
Bad English Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the heat of the summer night
Give me the wheel
I got it real bad for you
Pull over and turn out the light
We don't need a fancy motel
Or a beach house at Malibu
Don't say a prayer
I'll take you there
Hey girl haven't you heard
Heaven is a 4 letter word
One touch is never too much
Baby I can tell you for sure
Heaven is a 4 letter word
It's not about a fantasy
It's how you make it good to be bad
Just when you think it's strictly tabu
You're gettin' what you never had
You don't see it out in Hollywood
Or in Penthouse magazine
It's just looking at you tonight
I wanna do what you want me to
Hey girl haven't you heard
Heaven is a 4 letter word
One touch is never too much
Baby I can tell you for sure
Heaven is a 4 letter word
Like, love and kiss
It feels like this
Don't wait too long
Heaven is where we belong
Hey girl haven't you heard
Heaven is a 4 letter word
One touch is never too much
Baby I can tell you for sure
Heaven is a 4 letter word
The lyrics to Bad English's song "Heaven Is A 4 Letter Word" are about seeking and finding true paradise, which is not necessarily in the form of a fancy motel or a beach house at Malibu. The singer of the song is willing to go down the highway in the heat of the summer night, take the steering wheel and drive with the sole purpose of being close to their lover. They don't need to pray to reach paradise; instead, they can take each other there. The song claims that "heaven is a 4 letter word," which is an interesting play on words as "heaven" has five letters, but the word "four" is spelled with four letters. The song's chorus emphasizes that the physical connection between two people can make them feel like they're in paradise, and it's something that is worth holding onto.
The lyrics of the song suggest that it's not necessary to search for heaven in exotic locations or extravagant lifestyles, but rather heaven is found in the moments shared with the one you love. The song conveys that true paradise is an experience in which you don't have to pretend to be someone you're not, and you can open yourself up to your partner without fear of judgment. The line "just when you think it's strictly tabu, you're getting what you never had" coveys that breaking barriers and stepping out of one's comfort zone can lead to the most rewarding experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Take me down the highway
I want you to take me on an adventure
In the heat of the summer night
Let's go on this adventure when it's hot outside
Give me the wheel
Let me take control and be in charge
I got it real bad for you
I'm deeply in love with you
Pull over and turn out the light
Let's find a quiet place to be alone together
We don't need a fancy motel
Our love is all we need
Or a beach house at Malibu
Material things are not important
If we're talking about paradise
If we're talking about being happy
Don't say a prayer
We don't need anyone else's permission or blessing
I'll take you there
I'll be the one to make you happy
Hey girl haven't you heard
I'm trying to tell you something important
Heaven is a 4 letter word
Happiness and love are simple things
One touch is never too much
I can never get enough of you
Baby I can tell you for sure
Trust me, I know what I'm talking about
It's not about a fantasy
Our love is real and genuine
It's how you make it good to be bad
Our love is exciting and passionate
Just when you think it's strictly tabu
Just when you think it's forbidden or wrong
You're gettin' what you never had
We're experiencing something new and special
You don't see it out in Hollywood
Our love is not like what you see in movies
Or in Penthouse magazine
Our love is not something that can be bought
It's just looking at you tonight
It's just seeing you right here, right now
I wanna do what you want me to
I'm willing to do anything to make you happy
Like, love and kiss
The things we do to show affection
It feels like this
It feels amazing to be in love
Don't wait too long
Let's not waste any time being unhappy
Heaven is where we belong
Our love is the most important thing in the world
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: John Charles Waite, Jonathan Cain, Markus Spiro, Neal J Schon
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CultLabyrinth
The 21st century is sadly lacking this awesomeness! Who else agrees?
@samanthagardner7683
This was a fun night at the Roxy in Atlanta GA. I was only 22 then and I was taken to the front of the stage when they shot this music video. Neal Schon was so sweet he gave me a kiss and his guitar pick after this song. We all had a blast! Now I am almost 48yrs old but I still remember how much fun we had that night!! Love you Neal!!! I still got that guitar pick too!!!! lol
@hhhhaaaar
Great past
@LaljiJohnTube
Wow! you would be really lucky on those days! They really are one of the good band!
@catb7708
I was in the front also and I was around 27. John Waite grabbed my hand near the end of the song and I fell forward onto the girl in front of me. There was a plank on the floor and I had a hard time getting footing. Always felt bad for falling on the girl. It was either me falling on her or me pulling John into the audience. I had red on so back then they couldn't get of a red in the video so I always knew where I was watching the video. That was a great show at the Roxy in Atlanta!
@dmainfla
Are we talking 1989/90? If so, we met them in the original Rio Bravo the night of that show, and John signed a Rio menu that my friend still has to this day! Cool stuff!
@jordanfrankel-securityexpe8666
D Aiken Rio Bravo in Buckhead? Great memories!
@JamesLuzenski-uk6tl
They are laborers doing whatever they have to , to save as many lost souls as they can . They're like modern day rock and roll disciples .I believe that , all I have to do , is look in the mirror , and thank God ; I'm still alive .
@ronaldelfleet3123
John is another totally underrated artist - his songs are oh so well crafted and an absolute pleasure to listen to whether when he was in the Baby's, Bad English or with his own band. I'd love to see him back over here in England - go on John - come back to Blighty.
@s21k21
john waite is simply great !
unfortunatly this band had only two years. ok.... solo projects where also really good - but bad english was simply the top of his career