If You Wanna Get To Heaven

Album: Ozark Mountain Daredevils (1973)
Charted: 25
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This was the Southern Rock band's first major hit, and it was fairly typical of their sound. The song was written by band members Steve Cash and John Dillon and released on their first album. Ozark Mountain Daredevils were from Springfield, Missouri, and sported long hair and a hell-raising attitude, which is the theme of this song: "If you wanna get to heaven, you've got to raise a little hell."
  • The biggest hit for the band was 1975's "Jackie Blue," which was not like their other releases. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Mike - Santa Barbara, CA, for above 2

Comments: 4

  • Mike from N.w. IndianaWho played lead guitar on Jack Blue ?
    O.M.D line up ?
  • Andy from Cape Girardeau, MoOMD never did Jim Dandy. You're probably thinking of Black Oak Arkansas but even their version was a remake of the 1957 hit by R & B singer LaVern Baker.
  • Joe from Corning, IaI thought "Jim Dandy" was courtesy of Black Oak Arkansas. Did OMD play it as well?
  • Thomas from Somerville, AlDid anybody forget about Jim Dandy? It was their first hit and a BIG one at that.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Harold Brown of War

Harold Brown of WarSongwriter Interviews

A founding member of the band War, Harold gives a first-person account of one of the most important periods in music history.

Glen Burtnik

Glen BurtnikSongwriter Interviews

On Glen's résumé: hit songwriter, Facebook dominator, and member of Styx.

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's Songs

Macabre Mother Goose: The Dark Side of Children's SongsSong Writing

"London Bridge," "Ring Around the Rosie" and "It's Raining, It's Pouring" are just a few examples of shockingly morbid children's songs.

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")

Holly Knight ("The Best," "Love Is A Battlefield")Songwriter Interviews

Holly Knight talks about some of the hit songs she wrote, including "The Warrior," "Never" and "The Best," and explains some songwriting philosophy, including how to think of a bridge.

Little Richard

Little RichardFact or Fiction

Was Long Tall Sally a cross-dresser? Did he really set his piano on fire? See if you know the real stories about one of rock's greatest innovators.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went Mainstream

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.