"Floating in Heaven" is a song by astrophysicist and guitarist Brian May (of Queen), and singer and bassist Graham Gouldman (of 10cc). It was released on 12 July 2022[1][2] on digital streaming platforms including a music video on the official Queen YouTube channel,[3] the full song[1] and instrumental[4] released under the Graham Gouldman - Topic channel.
| "Floating in Heaven" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Brian May and Graham Gouldman | ||||
| Genre | Rock, pop | |||
| Length | 3:30 | |||
| Label | Duck Productions Ltd, Universal International Music B.V. | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Graham Gouldman | |||
| Producer(s) |
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| Brian May singles chronology | ||||
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| Graham Gouldman singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Floating in Heaven" on YouTube | ||||
Background
editThe song was created in response to photos from the James Webb Space Telescope being released, showing the first photos of space that it sent to Earth.[5] May, who is also an astrophysicist, said "There is nothing more exciting in a world of exploration than going to a place about which you know nothing,” and “The sky's the limit for what we could find out."[6][7] The song's release coincided with the showing of the first images of space being sent to Earth.[6][8]
A short video of May and Gouldman had been released in March 2022 on May's social media,[9] teasing a collaboration.
The song was written by Gouldman, with May contributing guitars and vocals.[8][1] The song features descriptive and astronomical lyrics,[6] the first verse features It’s time for me to say goodbye and search for past is new / Our future lies above the clouds, above the sky so blue / I’ve never seen the moon so white / I’ve never seen the sun so bright / I’m floating in heaven / I’m so high.”[10]
Music video
editThe music video was directed by Jake McBride[3] and features a sample of a NASA countdown while showing archival footage of various space rockets being launched before the music starts, the rest of the music video features videos of the James Webb Space Telescope with videos and pictures of May and Gouldman being overlaid on the video.
An alternative video was uploaded by the Space Telescope Science Institute channel. The video consists of pictures taken by the telescope.
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Personnel
editPer YouTube descriptions[1][11][12][3]
Song credits
edit- Graham Gouldman – lead and backing vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, slide guitar, drum programming, guitar, Gizmotron, production
- Brian May – guitar, backing vocals, production
- Graeme Pleeth – Hammond organ, piano, synthesizer, production, engineer
- Justin Shirley-Smith – mixer
- Kris Fredriksson – additional engineer
- Bob Ludwig – mastering engineer
Music video credits
edit- Jake McBride – director
- Simon Lupton – producer
- Duck Productions Ltd. – production company
References
edit- ^ a b c d Floating In Heaven, 11 July 2022, retrieved 2022-07-13
- ^ "PRESS: Brian May & Graham Gouldman launch tribute song to JWST". brianmay.com. 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ a b c Brian May - Floating in Heaven (Official Video), 12 July 2022, retrieved 2022-07-13
- ^ Floating In Heaven (Instrumental), 11 July 2022, retrieved 2022-07-13
- ^ "James Webb: Nasa space telescope delivers spectacular pictures". BBC News. 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ a b c Irwin, Corey (12 July 2022). "Hear Brian May's New Space-Inspired Song 'Floating in Heaven'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ "Brian May and Graham Gouldman launch tribute song to James Webb Space Telescope". North Wales Pioneer. 12 July 2022. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ a b Peacock, Tim (2022-07-12). "Brian May Joins Graham Gouldman For Exclusive New Track, 'Floating In Heaven'". uDiscover Music. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ Brian May and Graham Gouldman in Brian's Studio - 24/03/2022, 24 March 2022, retrieved 2022-07-13
- ^ Koe, Crystal (2022-07-13). "Brian May collabs with Graham Gouldman on new space-inspired song Floating In Heaven". Guitar.com | All Things Guitar. Retrieved 2022-07-13.
- ^ "EarthSky | Floating in Heaven: Rock's tribute to Webb's new images". earthsky.org. 2022-07-12. Retrieved 2022-07-14.
- ^ JWST image video for 'Floating in Heaven' by Graham Gouldman and Brian May, 12 July 2022, retrieved 2022-07-14