Leaving Heaven

Album: The Heart Of Christmas (2011)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This track from Contemporary Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West's first Christmas album, The Heart Of Christmas is a duet with the Country artist Vince Gill, who also contributes guitar. West previously linked up Gill's wife, Amy Grant, for the song "Give This Christmas Away," which served as the theme song for the charity, Operation Christmas Child.
  • West explained the song's meaning to The Boot: "The perspective of that song is different. It's Jesus talking about how it's been real nice living up in heaven, but he can't stay long, [saying] 'I'm leaving heaven today.' The chorus goes on to say how He's trading in the streets of gold for a broken earth and then by the end it says, 'if you ever wonder how much you're worth, you're the reason why I'm leaving heaven.' It's a reminder of why God sent His son to earth and why we celebrate Christmas."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"

Lou Gramm - "Waiting For A Girl Like You"They're Playing My Song

Gramm co-wrote this gorgeous ballad and delivered an inspired vocal, but the song was the beginning of the end of his time with Foreigner.

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."

David Sancious

David SanciousSongwriter Interviews

Keyboard great David Sancious talks about his work with Sting, Seal, Springsteen, Clapton and Aretha, and explains what quantum physics has to do with making music.

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

The Punk Photography of Chris Stein

The Punk Photography of Chris SteinSong Writing

Chris Stein of Blondie shares photos and stories from his book about the New York City punk scene.