In 1984, Gary Newby, Brian Bateman, Guy Keegan, and Stephen Hull formed The Railway Children. They signed to legendary Manchester record label, Factory Records and started to record their debut album Reunion Wilderness in 1987. They were signed to Virgin Records soon afterwards. The next year, the band released their second album, Recurrence, to little commercial success. In 1990, they released Native Place, an album that incorperated some elements of the current club music trends in England at the time.
"Every Beat of the Heart" became a top 40 hit in the UK with a peak at #24, and the song became a #1 hit on the newly-founded Alternative chart in the US. In 1992, EMI took over Virgin Records, and the band left the label. Two years later, the band broke up, although Newby released one more album as "The Railway Children" without the other members of the group. Keegan later had a spell in Wigan-based folk-rock band The Tansads.
It's Heaven
The Railway Children Lyrics
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They've taxed the words of love
I've waged a war in my head
I don't think you know what you've done
'Cause one and one and you makes two
The very thing I want from you
It's heaven, it's heaven
Dear angel
I wish for things above
The world so deep in our heads
Is waiting to be undone
'Cause one and one and you makes two
The very thing I want from you
It's heaven, it's heaven
There's no turning back
But you don't react like a little kid
You just forget what you did
You wear the same old face phrase
That they build these days
But the things you lack don't you want them back
Dear angel
They've taxed the words of love
I've waged a war in my head
I don't think you know what you've done
'Cause one and one and you makes two
The very thing I want from you
It's heaven, it's heaven
Angel
The Railway Children's song "It's Heaven" is a contemplative and introspective piece, featuring lyrics that explore the confusion and anxiety that can arise from experiencing love. Dear Angel is the person addressed throughout the song, and they seem to be the inspiration behind the singer's emotional turmoil. The opening line, "they've taxed the words of love," speaks to the idea that love has become commodified in our society, leading to a lack of genuine connection, and a sense of frustration on the part of the singer.
As the song progresses, we hear about the singer's inner struggle. They admit to "waging a war in [their] head," grappling with the intense feelings that come with falling in love. They express uncertainty about whether Angel truly understands the impact they have had on the singer's life, before ultimately acknowledging that they want to be with Angel in a way that feels like heaven.
There is a sense of longing and yearning throughout the song, as the singer reflects on what they want from love and from their relationship with Angel. The repeated refrain - "one and one and you makes two / the very thing I want from you / it's heaven, it's heaven" - underscores this desire for connection and intimacy, and the idea that this is the ultimate goal of the singer's emotional journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Dear angel
Addressing a significant other with a nickname of affection.
They've taxed the words of love
Expressing the difficulty of conveying emotions and feelings in words.
I've waged a war in my head
Internal conflict and struggle within oneself.
I don't think you know what you've done
Feeling as though the significant other has an impact on the internal struggle.
'Cause one and one and you makes two
The idea that being with this person is the missing piece to complete oneself.
The very thing I want from you
Emphasizing that what is desired is the presence of the significant other.
It's heaven, it's heaven
Comparing the feeling of being with the significant other to being in heaven.
I wish for things above
Aspiring for something higher or greater than current reality.
The world so deep in our heads
Imagining or conceptualizing a world beyond the current reality.
Is waiting to be undone
Believing that this imagined world can be brought to fruition.
There's no turning back
Acknowledging that actions have consequences and can't be undone.
But you don't react like a little kid
The significant other is mature and able to handle the consequences of their actions.
You just forget what you did
Moving on from past mistakes and not dwelling on them.
You wear the same old face phrase
The significant other portrays a consistent demeanor and expression.
That they build these days
Suggesting that societal expectations mold individuals to conform.
But the things you lack don't you want them back
Questioning whether the significant other desires to break free from societal expectations to fulfill personal desires.
Contributed by Colton I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.