Sky Fits Heaven
"Sky Fits Heaven" is a song recorded by American singer Madonna for her seventh studio album, Ray of Light (1998). It was written and produced by Madonna and Patrick Leonard; the song also contained additional production from William Orbit, and lyrical interpretations from British poet Max Blagg's 1992 poem, What Fits?. Uncredited in the album's official liner notes, Blagg's role in the song was the subject of several publications questioning Madonna's inspiration behind the track. A remix was created by Sasha and Victor Calderone, and was released as a promotional single by Maverick and Warner Bros. on October 2, 1998.
"Sky Fits Heaven"
When released, various music critics appreciated Orbit's extensive production on "Sky Fits Heaven". On a list of Madonna's best non-singles compiled by Idolator, the track was ranked at number nine and acclaimed by critic Sal Cinquemani who enjoyed its "heavenly hook".[2] The Sasha and Victor Calderone remix reached number 41 on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart in November 1998, despite not being released as a commercial single. "Sky Fits Heaven" was performed on Madonna's Drowned World Tour in 2001, accompanied by flying acrobats during a Japanese-inspired sequence.
Background[edit]
In 1992, poet Max Blagg's work What Fits? was used in commercials for Gap Inc., showcasing a new line of jeans worn by American actress Mädchen Amick. The poem was also used in the advertisements for Gap on NBC.[3] Upon viewing them, Madonna contacted Blagg for obtaining permission to use the poem in her new musical material. While composing her 1998 album Ray of Light, Madonna and Blagg reached a deal which would allow the singer to include excerpts of What Fits? within her song "Sky Fits Heaven"; in exchange, Blagg would receive no credit. The lines in particular: "Sky fits heaven so ride it / Child fits mother so hold your baby tight" would be used, with the exception of the first line which would be changed to "Sky fits heaven so fly it".[4]
Upon its initial release on Ray of Light, Daniel Frankel of E! News questioned Madonna's intentions on the track, which he found to be extremely similar to Blagg's work; Frankel was unaware of the agreement reached between the two.[5] George Rush and Joanna Molloy from the New York Daily News first reported the incident on March 12, 1998, and claimed that "Madonna took care of the sticky issue of credit by paying Blagg" and leaving his name out of the album notes.[6] Francesca Chapman from Philly.com summarized the report: "Madonna's muses have ranged from the Virgin Mary to porn purveyors, so it's no shock that her latest inspiration might come from... a Gap ad."[7]
Remixes and chart performance[edit]
Disc jockeys Sasha and Victor Calderone was exclusively commissioned to produce a partnered remix for "Sky Fits Heaven" in 1998. The Sasha Remix was created solely by the former while the more well known Sasha and Victor Calderone mix was composed as part of a collaboration. According to Calderone himself, he had to restructure the entire composition in order for the remix to work properly.[14] Neither of the two musicians were able to personally meet Madonna as part of the job, which Sasha found more pressuring.[15] Calderone would later include the finalized remix, in addition to remixes for both "Frozen" and "Ray of Light" on a demo CD released by Sony Music on October 2, 1998.[16]
Since it was not released as a commercial single or sent for radio airplay, "Sky Fits Heaven" could not appear on any Billboard sales or airplay charts. Although the Sasha and Victor Calderone's Remix version managed to appear on Billboard's Dance Club Songs chart in 1998. The remix itself had only been released to clubs and was not physically available for purchase; however, the aforementioned version and the Sasha Remix appeared as B-side cuts on selected vinyl release of her 1998 single "Drowned World/Substitute for Love",[17][18] and the respective CD single released in the United Kingdom and Japan.[19][20] "Sky Fits Heaven" debuted on the chart for the week ending October 24, 1998, at number 45.[21][22] The track reached its peak position at number 41, and lasted an additional three weeks on the chart before departing in its sixth week total at the bottom position at number 50.[23][24]
Live performances[edit]
While promoting Ray of Light on February 14, 1998, Madonna performed "Sky Fits Heaven", "Shanti/Ashtangi" and "Ray of Light" at Roxy NYC nightclub.[31] "Sky Fits Heaven" was also included on the Drowned World Tour of 2001, to support both Ray of Light, and her eighth studio album Music (2000). For the act, Madonna appeared swinging from wires in a Japanese-inspired sequence. AllMusic's Clive Young complemented the singer's live rendition of the track, and found it surprising that she "sang every note" to the audience.[32] During the final concert held in Los Angeles at the Staples Center, Madonna's then-husband at the time, Guy Ritchie, appeared as a samurai while wearing a Los Angeles Lakers jersey.[33] The performance of the song on August 26, 2001, at The Palace of Auburn Hills was recorded and released in the live video album, Drowned World Tour 2001.[34]
Management
Personnel
Credits and personnel adapted from the album's official liner notes.[35]