[Verse 1]
I had a secret, it killed me to keep it
Someone's to blame, but you can't blame Jesus
Hey, hey
Singing hymns all alone in my basement
So close, I could almost taste it
Hey, hey

[Pre-Chorus]
(Cut it off, cut it off)
(Cut it off, cut it off)


[Chorus]
Crucified for the life I'm living
Oh, my God, hope I'm forgiven
Going to Hell 'cause it feels like heaven
Speaking in tongues to release my demons
I can't help it, guess I'm a heathen
Going to Hell 'cause it feels like heaven

[Verse 2]
If pleasure's wrong, cast me out like a sinner
I found myself with my two little fingers
Hey, hey
My right hand's got me singing my praises
Holy water and my spirit awakens

Hey, hey
[Pre-Chorus]
Cut it off, cut it off
Cut it off, cut it off


[Chorus]
Crucified for the life I'm living
Oh, my God, hope I'm forgiven
Going to Hell 'cause it feels like heaven (Yeah)
Speaking in tongues to release my demons
I can't help it, guess I'm a heathen
Going to Hell 'cause it feels like heaven (Like heaven, yeah)

[Bridge]
(La) La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la
La-la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la (Like heaven, yeah)

[Outro]
Speaking in tongues to release my demons
I can't help it, guess I'm a heathen
Going to Hell 'cause it feels like heaven (Like heaven)
Yeah

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About

Genius Annotation

Thematically, “HEAVEN” details the unresolvable conflict between religious beliefs and sexual identity common amongst LGBTQ+ members raised in faith traditions.

Having a Christian upbringing, Demi Lovato penned the song with the intent of liberating themself from spiritual values and embracing their sexuality unapologetically. The song channels Lovato’s frustrations with the lack of tolerance towards their sexual self-awareness and the anxiety to express oneself instilled in them from a young age.

In July 2022, the singer-songwriter hosted an album listening party in their official Discord server, giving fans an early preview of “HEAVEN”. It serves as the eighth track on Lovato’s eighth studio album HOLY FVCK (2022). Discussing their sonic shift on the Spout Podcast in August 2022, Lovato revealed:

​​I have a song called “HEAVEN” that’s based off of a bible verse [Matthew 5:30], but it’s actually about masturbation.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Demi Lovato say about "HEAVEN"?
Verified Commentary
Demi Lovato
via Website
Genius Answer

Growing up I was often shamed by my religion for exploring and I just wanted to write a song about it because I was in this place where I was angry. I had just learned a lot about myself and what caused my anger and I learned to honor my anger in treatment so I wanted to write a song that was taking my power back and my sexuality.

What have the artists said about the song?
Verified Commentary
Demi Lovato
via Apple Music
Genius Answer

There’s actually a Bible verse, Matthew 5:30, that says, ‘If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off, because it’s better to lose one part of your body than your entire body to hell.’ It’s actually about masturbation, and people may not know that I have my own sex toy. I’m very open about my sexuality, and growing up I was shamed by my church in Texas for exploring that. I was in a place where I was angry, and I had just learned a lot about myself. I learned about what caused that anger and I learned to honor my anger in treatment. I wanted to write a song that takes back my power and my sexuality from the way religion was used against me. I love the pre-chorus where it repeats, ‘Cut it off!’ because unless you know the Bible verse behind the song, you’re like, ‘What?’ And then, of course, the chorus—'Going to hell because it feels like heaven.‘ An Easter egg you can look out for on the vinyl packaging is I have 'Matthew 5:30’ printed on the side, which is a nod to this song.

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Release Date
August 19, 2022
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