If Heaven

"If Heaven" is a song written and recorded by Gretchen Peters on her May 1984 album, Halcyon. Shortly thereafter, American country music singer Andy Griggs recorded his version. His was released in October 2004 as the second single from his album This I Gotta See. Griggs' eleventh single on the Billboard country singles charts, it is also the final Top 40 country hit of his career, peaking at number 5 in mid-2005.

"If Heaven"
Single by Andy Griggs
from the album This I Gotta See
ReleasedOctober 4, 2004
GenreContemporary Christian music
Length3:32
LabelRCA Nashville
Songwriter(s)Gretchen Peters
Producer(s)Randy Scruggs
Andy Griggs singles chronology
"She Thinks She Needs Me"
(2004)		 "If Heaven"
(2004)		 "This I Gotta See"
(2005)

Content

Written by Gretchen Peters, "If Heaven" is a ballad in which the narrator offers up possible images of heaven, each based on an idealized moment of everyday life, such as "If heaven was an hour, it would be twilight".[1] In the chorus, he sings, "If that's what heaven's made of / You know, I ain't afraid to die."

Griggs said that he was emotionally moved by the song, which made him recall his father and brother, both of whom died during Griggs' childhood. His mother has asked him to perform the song for him, and refers to it as "the song."[1]

Critical reception

Deborah Evans Price, of Billboard magazine reviewed the song favorably, calling it "one of those beautiful, understated ballads that will have listeners heaving a thoughtful sigh." She goes on to say that Griggs' "warm, muscular baritone gently breathes life into each line, evoking emotions both sad and hopeful." [2]

Music video

The music video was directed by Roman White and premiered in 2005.

Chart performance

"If Heaven" debuted at number 59 on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks for the week of October 16, 2004.

Chart (2004-2005) Peak
position
US Hot Country Songs (Billboard)[3] 5
US Billboard Hot 100[4] 65

Year-end charts
Chart (2005) Position
US Country Songs (Billboard)[5] 18

References
  1. Newcomer, Wendy (2005-02-18). "Andy Griggs: He heals his past publicity with the hit "If Heaven" — and embraces his future privately with a hush-hush wedding". Country Weekly. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  2. Billboard, November 6, 2004
  3. "Andy Griggs Chart History (Hot Country Songs)". Billboard.
  4. "Andy Griggs Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard.
  5. "Best of 2005: Country Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 2005. Retrieved June 16, 2012.
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