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This was inspired by the 1982 movie E.T., about an alien who comes to Earth and tries to return home. When E.T. (Extra Terrestrial) flies, his heart glows, which is the "heartlight." Diamond says he was trying to create "a simple musical statement that we all felt very sincerely." (thanks, Jay - Glen Burnie, MD)
Diamond wrote this with Carole Bayer Sager and Burt Bacharach, who were married at the time. The songwriters attended a screening of the movie together, then went to Sager and Bacharach's apartment and wrote the song. Diamond called it "A simple musical statement that we all felt very sincerely."
Around the same time, Kenny Loggins also released a song called "
Heartlight," which was inspired by a school of that name in Los Angeles.
Comments (5):
Al Jourgensen of Ministry
In the name of song explanation, Al talks about scoring heroin for William Burroughs, and that's not even the most shocking story in this one.
John Lee Hooker
Into the vaults for Bruce Pollock's 1984 conversation with the esteemed Bluesman. Hooker talks about transforming a Tony Bennett classic and why you don't have to be sad and lonely to write The Blues.
Bass Player Scott Edwards
Scott was Stevie Wonder's bass player before becoming a top session player. Hits he played on include "I Will Survive," "Being With You" and "Sara Smile."
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