Heaven by Julia Michaels Lyrics Meaning – The Sinful Allure of the Forbidden
Lyrics
Ooh
Ooh
Love’s my religion but he was my faith
Something so sacred so hard to replace
Fallin’ for him was like fallin’ from grace
All wrapped in one he was so many sins
Would have done anything, everything for him
And if you ask me I would do it again
No need to imagine
‘Cause I know it’s true
They say, “All good boys go to heaven”
But bad boys bring heaven to you
It’s automatic
It’s just what they do
They say, “All good boys go to heaven”
But bad boys bring heaven to you
You don’t realize the power they have
Until they leave you and you want them back
Nothing in this world prepares you for that
I’m not ashamed that he wasn’t the one
Had no idea what we would become
There’s no regrets I just thought it was fun
No need to imagine
‘Cause I know it’s true
They say, “All good boys go to heaven”
But bad boys bring heaven to you
It’s automatic
It’s just what they do
They say, “All good boys go to heaven”
But bad boys bring heaven to you
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
I still remember the moment we met
The touch that he planted, the garden he left
I guess the rain was just half that effect
No need to imagine
‘Cause I know it’s true
They say, “All good boys go to heaven”
But bad boys bring heaven to you
It’s automatic
It’s just what they do
They say, “All good boys go to heaven”
But bad boys bring heaven to you
Ooh
Ooh
Ooh
At first listen, ‘Heaven’ by Julia Michaels might sound like a quintessential pop tune with its catchy beat and sultry lyrics. However, delve a little deeper, and you’ll find that beneath its melodic surface lies a complex narrative etched into the very heart of modern romance.
The song, co-written by Michaels for the soundtrack of ‘Fifty Shades Freed’, offers a glimpse into the psyche of a lover ensnared by the paradoxical allure of someone who is decidedly wrong in the traditional sense but feels so right. It’s an exploration of the tumultuous dance between desire and moral conundrums.
Sacred Love vs. Profane Temptation
Michaels pens a striking duality from the onset: ‘Love’s my religion but he was my faith.’ This powerful line sets the stage for a narrative where spiritual metaphors are skillfully used to describe an almost religious zeal towards a forbidden love that challenges the protagonist’s convictions.
To fall for the ‘bad boy’ is characterised as a fall from grace—a biblical illusion where the act of succumbing to temptation is as evocative as the original sin. The song strongly imparts this notion of something truly irreplaceable, once lost, especially when sanctioned by society.
The Inevitable Fallibility of the Human Heart
Transgressing the boundaries set out by conventional morality, the song delves into the relatable human experience of knowing something is ostensibly wrong yet being irrevocably drawn to it. Through Michaels’s confession, ‘Would have done anything, everything for him,’ there’s an exposition of unwavering devotion, however misguided it may be.
The human heart with its flawed compass points not towards the morally right but to what it desires most passionately. Michaels echoes this sentiment by asserting her readiness to repeat history, encapsulating the all-too-human trait of persistence in the face of self-aware error.
The Gravitational Pull of the Rebel Aura
The song’s chorus, ‘They say, “All good boys go to heaven” But bad boys bring heaven to you,’ is as provocative as it is poetic. It flips the script on traditional values that preach the virtue of goodness and promise ethereal rewards for conformity.
Michaels’s lyrics juxtapose the celestial reward of the afterlife with the immediate gratification provided by those who defy norms. This brilliantly underscores the magnetic attraction to individuals who exude a rebellious spirit, suggesting that sometimes heaven isn’t a far-off place, but a state of ecstasy that the archetypal ‘bad boy’ incarnates.
The Song’s Hidden Meaning: Admiration for the Outcast
Going beyond a simple romance, ‘Heaven’ offers commentary on societal perceptions of who is deserving of admiration. ‘You don’t realize the power they have,’ Michaels sings, alluding to the hidden depths and untapped potentials of those often cast aside or labeled as ‘bad’ due to their defiance of societal expectations.
By admitting to no shame in her past love not being the one, she seems to redefine what it means to truly appreciate a person’s value—not by their proximity to societal standards but by the depth of impact they have on one’s emotions and memories.
Memorable Lines: ‘The Touch That He Planted, The Garden He Left’
The poetry of the song is perhaps best captured in the line, ‘The touch that he planted, the garden he left.’ It’s an emotionally laden metaphor which conveys how the briefest encounters can sow seeds of longing that bloom well beyond their season.
More than a passing affair or a whimsical fling, this line suggests a transformative experience. Despite the impermanence of the relationship, its impact resonates deeply, illustrating a theme of lasting change and emotional imprinting that defies the confines of short-lived romance.
