Hell in Paradise
{{Infobox song
| name = Hell in Paradise
| cover = YokoOno_Hell.jpg
| alt =
| type = single
| artist = Yoko Ono
| album = Starpeace
| released = 14 October 1985
| recorded = 1984
| studio =
| venue =
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| length =
| label = Polydor
| writer = Yoko Ono
| producer = Yoko Ono
| prev_title = Never Say Goodbye
| prev_year = 1983
| next_title = Cape Clear
| next_year = 1985
| misc = {{Extra chronology
| artist =
| type = single
| prev_title = Will I" / "Fly
| prev_year = 2003
| title = Hell in Paradise
| year = 2004
| next_title = Everyman... Everywoman...
| next_year = 2004
}}
{{External music video|1=[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSQOTrJ0EJ4 "Hell in Paradise"] at YouTube}}
}}
"Hell in Paradise" is a song by Yoko Ono from the 1985 album Starpeace. The lyrics are about mankind's perceived idea of hell, despite living in the paradise that Ono considers to be planet Earth. After "Walking on Thin Ice", it was her biggest hit of the 1980s, charting at number 16 on the US dance chart. Ono went on hiatus after Starpeace; this would be her last proper single until 2001's remix of "Open Your Box".
Ultimate Classic Rock critic Michael Gallucci rated it as Ono's 4th best song, calling it the "highlight" of Starpeace.{{cite web|title=Top 10 Yoko Ono Songs |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/yoko-ono-songs/|author=Gallucci, Michael|accessdate=2022-06-05|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=18 February 2013}}
In 2004, the track was revived as part of the ONO remix project, and reached number 4 on the same chart twenty years on. In 2016, the song was re-released by the ONO project again, featuring remixes by Dave Audé and others. It reached number 1 on the Dance Club Songs chart.
Music video
The video was directed by Polish filmmaker Zbigniew Rybczyński. It stars Ono alongside Michael J. Anderson, Peter Risch, Daniel Richards, and Christopher Greener. The music video won the award "Most Innovative Video" at Billboard Music Video Awards in 1986.{{cite web|title=ZBIG RYBCZYNSKI::FILM AND VIDEO AWARD|url=http://www.zbigvision.com/zbigsawards.html|work=ZBIG RYBCZYNSKI|access-date=26 July 2011}}
Reception
John Leland at Spin said the song was as, "banal as its title, and Ono's exhortation to "exorcise institutions" only underscores the extent to which the ensemble sounds reined in. Part preachy, part self-help soundpiece about what a shithole we've turned the world into."{{cite magazine| magazine= Spin | title=Singles|author=John Leland | date=December 1985|issue=8|page=32}}
Track listing
;US 7" single
- "Hell in Paradise"
- "Hell in Paradise" (Instrumental)
;US 12" single{{cite web|title=Yoko Ono – Hell In Paradise (Vinyl) a Discogs|url=http://www.discogs.com/Yoko-Ono-Hell-In-Paradise/release/1310166|work=Discogs|publisher=Zinc Media, Inc|access-date=26 July 2011}}
:A1. "Hell in Paradise" (Club Version) – 6:52
:B1. "Hell in Paradise" (Dub Version) – 8:52
:B2. "Hell in Paradise" (Single Version) - 3:34
;12" single (2004){{cite web|title=Yoko Ono - Hell In Paradise (Part 1) Discogs|website=Discogs |url=https://www.discogs.com/Ono-Hell-In-Paradise-Part-1/release/292963|access-date=20 February 2019}}
:A1. "Hell in Paradise" (Murk Miami Mix)
:A2. "Hell in Paradise" (Orange Factory "Hot As..." Mix)
:B1. "Hell in Paradise" (Chus & Ceballos Iberican Mix)
:B2. "Hell in Paradise" (Minge Binge Club Mix)
;Digital Download (2004){{cite web|title=Yoko Ono - Hell In Paradise iTunes|website=iTunes |date=29 June 2004 |url=https://music.apple.com/au/album/hell-in-paradise-feat-yoko-ono/14948510|access-date=20 February 2019}}
- "Hell in Paradise" (Murk Miami Mix) - 8:11
- "Hell in Paradise" (Orange Factory "Hot As..." Mix) - 7:45
- "Hell in Paradise" (Chus & Ceballos Iberican Mix) - 10:07
- "Hell in Paradise" (Minge Binge Club Mix) - 7:18
- "Hell in Paradise" (Chris the Greek Club Mix) - 6:55
- "Hell in Paradise" (Chris the Greek Radio Edit) - 3:53
Charts
| class="wikitable sortable"
!align="center"|Chart (1985) !align="center"|Peak |
| align="left"|US Hot Dance Club Songs (Billboard){{cite web|title=Yoko Ono - Charts & Awards - Billboard Singles|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/yoko-ono-p19685/charts-awards/billboard-singles|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=26 July 2011}}
|align="center"|12 |
| align="left"|US Hot Dance Singles Sales (Billboard)
|align="center"|16 |
| align="center"|Chart (2004)
!align="center"|Peak |
|---|
| {{singlechart|Billboarddanceclubplay|4|artist=Yoko Ono|artistid=16819|accessdate=26 July 2011}} |
| align="center"|Chart (2016–17)
!align="center"|Peak |
| {{singlechart|Billboarddanceclubplay|1|artist=Ono|accessdate=18 January 2017}} |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Yoko Ono singles}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hell In Paradise}}
Category:Song recordings produced by Yoko Ono