Songfacts®:

• Elton John and his lyricist Bernie Taupin drew on soul music for the songs from the Sleeping With The Past album. "Healing Hands" has a gospel influence, with a redemption theme framed around a relationship that has turned toxic. Taupin's lyric has Elton facing the pain by looking for healing in a higher power. The lines, "You gotta wade into the water, you gotta learn to live again," indicate a baptism.
• In the book 1000 UK #1 Hits by Jon Kutner and Spencer Leigh, Elton's lyricist Bernie Taupin described this song as "An updated version of the Four Tops' Reach Out I'll Be There, only slightly more religious." Elton John noted, "The Impressions were a big influence on this album and 'Healing Hands' is probably where they left their mark."
• When this was first issued as a single in 1989, it stalled at #45 in the UK. When Rocket Records decided to reissue "Sacrifice" in the UK, they issued it as a double A-side along with this song. By mid-summer 1990 it was topping the UK charts.
• John and Taupin worked out of many different studios throughout their partnership in an effort to keep their creative juices flowing and minimize distractions. For the Sleeping With The Past album, they chose Denmark, working at Puk Studios in Randers. They had most of the album written after just four days.