Released in 1997

Heaven On A Sunday

Written by Paul McCartney

Last updated on September 25, 2020

Album This song officially appears on the Flaming Pie Official album.

Timeline This song was officially released in 1997

Timeline This song was written, or began to be written, in 1996, when Paul McCartney was 54 years old)

Master album

Flaming Pie
By Paul McCartney

Related sessions

This song was recorded during the following studio sessions:

Home recordings
Circa 1996
Recording "Heaven On A Sunday"
Started Sep 16, 1996
Recording "Flaming Pie" EPK #2
Spring 1997 ?

Other songs James McCartney contributed to

Spinning On An Axis
Officially appears on Driving Rain
Back In The Sunshine Again
Officially appears on Driving Rain

Related interviews

A nostalgic slice of "Pie"
May 27, 1997 • From USA Today
Gray in a Golden Voice
Jun 09, 1997 • From Time Magazine
You Gave Me The Answer – ‘Flaming Pie’
Aug 03, 2020 • From paulmccartney.com

“Heaven On A Sunday” is a song released on the 1997 album “Flaming Pie“. From Club Sandwich n°82, Summer 1997:

Paul was sailing his boat in America in August 1996 when ‘Heaven On A Sunday’ – the most recent composition on Flaming Pie – materialised. Enjoying the notion of the celestial city being busy in the week but peaceful on a Sunday, he developed the tune from there, its relaxed ambience reflecting his holiday mood.
The song was recorded on the McCartneys’ return to England, and the middle section was endowed with a bluesy feel on the spur of the moment. The guitar solos are shared by Paul and his 19 year old son James, making his first disc appearance with the instrument. “I played the simpler stuff and left the Young Turk to play the hot electric stuff,” says Paul. James McCartney’s talent on the guitar is the result of some ten years’ practice and home-development while listening to the likes of Lynyrd Skynyrd, rather than formal lessons. When his father suggested these, James’s response, “Well you didn’t, Dad”, echoed down the decades from 1950s Liverpool.
Like father, like son, indeed. Or, as Paul puts it, “The saga continues…”
Mark Lewisohn, in Club Sandwich n°82, Summer 1997

I was out sailing in a small boat; just me, the sail, the wind. Peaceful, like Heaven On A Sunday. That opening line led me through the song, I though it’d be nice to play with James, my son, so we traded phrases. Lovely to do.
Paul McCartney, from the liner notes of “Flaming Pie”

Paul McCartney, in Club Sandwich n°82, Summer 1997:

This is the most recent of all the songs on Flaming Pie, written shortly before I finished the album. I like to sail when I’m on holiday: just me, the wind and a little boat – a Sunfish. I was having a very relaxing time, and this is when I came up with the song. The opening line led me through. I like the idea of heaven being busy in the week and peaceful on a Sunday, and I like mentioning Devon – there are a few places called Devon in America, plus the original here in England.

James is getting really good on guitar, and though we’ve not played together in a band for 20 years we are simpatico because we’ve lived together for almost 20 – he’s 19 now. It didn’t take long and he wasn’t too nervous: I played some, he answered it, I played some more, he answered some more, and he came up with some really good phrases. It was very satisfying. People have always asked me “Are any of your kids musical?” And yes, they all are. James got a guitar when he was 9 or 10. He loves it. He’s good enough to be on this album on merit.

Club Sandwich No 82 Summer 1997

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James has been into guitar for the past 10 years. He’s getting very good at it. We did Heaven on a Sunday quickly, and the studio guys were quite impressed with his playing. I was very proud. We took the tape home, and we made his mum cry. A lovely moment, obviously.
Paul McCartney, interview by USA Today, May 1997

Lyrics

Peaceful, like heaven on a Sunday

Wishful, not thinking what to do

We've been calling it love

But it's a dream we're going through

And if I only had one love