Heaven Is A Halfpipe
by OPM

Album: Menace To Sobriety (2001)
Charted: 4
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • A halfpipe is a slang term for a skateboard ramp shaped in a downward arch. The song became a skater anthem in the UK.
  • The band's distinctive sound is a combination of hip-hop, punk and reggae. The success of the song led to their debut album Menace To Sobriety being re-issued, having flopped the year before. The band lost their record deal with Atlantic soon after.
  • The line, "If I Die Before I Wake, At Least In Heaven I Can Skate" outraged many Christian sects in the UK. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Dave - Cardiff, Wales, for all above

Comments: 1

  • Dave from Cardiff, WalesA year after this song came out, Paul Oakenfold released a single called "Starry-Eyed Surprise", which drew comment from UK critics for its uncanny similarity to "Heaven Is A Halfpipe"
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Todd Rundgren

Todd RundgrenSongwriter Interviews

Todd Rundgren explains why he avoids "Hello It's Me," and what it was like producing Meat Loaf's Bat Out of Hell album.

Chris Rea

Chris ReaSongwriter Interviews

It took him seven years to recover from his American hit "Fool (If You Think It's Over)," but Chris Rea became one of the top singer-songwriters in his native UK.

The Evolution of "Ophelia"

The Evolution of "Ophelia"Song Writing

How five songs portray Shakespeare's character Ophelia.

Mick Jones of Foreigner

Mick Jones of ForeignerSongwriter Interviews

Foreigner's songwriter/guitarist tells the stories behind the songs "Juke Box Hero," "I Want To Know What Love Is," and many more.

Michael Glabicki of Rusted Root

Michael Glabicki of Rusted RootSongwriter Interviews

Michael tells the story of "Send Me On My Way," and explains why some of the words in the song don't have a literal meaning.

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star Riders

Scott Gorham of Thin Lizzy and Black Star RidersSongwriter Interviews

Writing with Phil Lynott, Scott saw their ill-fated frontman move to a darker place in his life and lyrics.