I See Heaven On Earth

Album: Remember Tomorrow (2022)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • When Hootie & The Blowfish went on hiatus in 2008, the band members each embarked on solo careers, with drummer Jim Sonefeld pursuing Christian music. Remember Tomorrow is his fourth solo EP and features the single "I See Heaven On Earth." In a 2022 episode of the Songfacts podcast, Sonefeld compared the uplifting piano ballad to the Hootie hit "Hold My Hand," as both songs share a positive message of love.

    "'I See Heaven On Earth' is one of those tunes that I just want to say, y'all we gotta love each other," he explained. "Maybe it's no different than 'Hold My Hand' in 1989. I still feel the same way. If we can't act out love toward each other in humble ways, in authentic ways, then we got a big problem. The party will be very short. So I'm saying the same thing here. The picture that Christians paint of having this wonderful place of redemption and feeling of togetherness, I think it's available here on Earth - I see it every day, or I wouldn't choose to live here. And so I wanted to say, I see Heaven on Earth. I want you to see it too. And the only way to see it is to act it out personally, and then keep your eyes around you for all the good things that are happening."
  • Sonefeld struggled with alcoholism from the time he was a teenager through most of his tenure with Hootie & The Blowfish. In 2004, he began the path to sobriety and found God along the way. The experience influenced his approach to music. Instead of ranting about the negative things he can't change, like the sensationalized media or crooked politicians, he chooses to focus on the positive in his songs.

    "There's still things to be pessimistic about," he admits, "but I accept that if we don't lean into the good things, we're gonna be in big trouble."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.

History Of Rock

History Of RockSong Writing

An interview with Dr. John Covach, music professor at the University of Rochester whose free online courses have become wildly popular.

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17

Martyn Ware of Heaven 17Songwriter Interviews

Martyn talks about producing Tina Turner, some Heaven 17 hits, and his work with the British Electric Foundation.

Michael W. Smith

Michael W. SmithSongwriter Interviews

Smith breaks down some of his worship tracks as well as his mainstream hits, including "I Will Be Here For You" and "A Place In This World."

British Invasion

British InvasionFact or Fiction

Go beyond The Beatles to see what you know about the British Invasion.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.