Murray Head - Heaven on Their Minds (radio promo single)

[ZEPnALE]

I agee with Gonzaga: this is like finding gold. I've been listening to this album for 40 years, and hearing this version was quite a treat. Although the circumstances that brought it about were unfortunate, at least it brings joy to some of us now.

[blithium]

If I had to change the lyrics so much that it's hardly the same song, I wouldn't let it be played on the radio.

[LightenUpMcGraw]

I recently heard that Jesus's last name was Magillicutti, who would have guessed it.

[UnlimitedTimeOnly]

I love the "crazy people in control" variation and the way Murray sings "HEAVEN on their mind"... actually think I may prefer those to the later version from the concept album.

[ExploringReal]

Whats wrong with keeping to the original lyrics of the song? The writing was done by Jewish authors, which is why they didnt have jesus rise from the dead. I feel like they are changing the lyrics to make it sound less blasphemous, and thats no fun.

[Theslayerwins]

i have one of him singing the actual song without the backup singers and the original lyrics

[jatras]

@Theslayerwins - what do you mean?  Would love to hear it.

[Broblem12]

Part of my youth and ever after. Blessings for this kind post.

[54nomore]

No one does this better then Murray Head...the original judas of " Jesus Christ Superstar" musical theatre.

[Antarktida21]

Great version!!!...:-)

[G0dspelronin]

This was well worth 4:34 seconds of my life!!!!!!!!

[Kamikera]

definiletly better than Carl Anderson's. Best "Jesus" screamer ever !

[ChristopherAmason]

Best version

[54nomore]

Murray Head the original Judas from the Musical Theatre production of Jesus Christ Superstar. He to me is the best Judas ever in the history of this great musical

I still can not understand why he wasn't used in the movie. Please! someone explained that to me....

[19gonzaga99]

ARE THERE ANY OTHER SONG LYRICAL VARIATIONS WITH THE ORIGINAL 1970 ROSTER!!!!!!! This is like finding Gold, IMO.

[bridesheadrevisited]

@19gonzaga99 Not that I'm aware of. 'Superstar' was the first single released in 1969/70 and it appears on the LP exactly as it was released. It's B-side was 'John 19:41' which was recorded with a smaller orchestra and has considerably different ending. 'Heaven' was released in 1970 with an instrumental version of 'Strange Thing Mystifying' (Decca 32709). 'I Don't Know How to Love Him' was released as a single with 'Superstar' in 1972; prior to JCS, the song was known as 'Kansas Morning'.

[FreedomforHaiti]

@bridesheadrevisited And the tune for "Herod's Song" was originally meant for "Try it and See," to be performed in an unrealized musical about the crusades. The song was to have been sung by Saladin. (I'm sure most here have noticed "Try it and See" written on the 1970 album next to "Herod's Song." I've long wondered about songs that never made it into Superstar at all like "What a Party" (which I think was to have preceded "What's the Buzz" and Jesus cursing a fig tree.

[FreedomforHaiti]

@bridesheadrevisited WOW! A lot of that info. is new to me--after all these decades and my having read Rock Opera by Ellis Nassour and Richard Broderick. I hope I get a chance to hear these variations you mention of "John 19:41" and the instrumental version of "Strange Thing, Mystifying. Thanks for the info.

[FreedomforHaiti]

I can understand the rationale for some of the rewording, but it's not clear to me how the statement "We are occupied..." would have been considered controversial. There seems to be general agreement that the Jewish people were occupied by Rome. At any rate, this variation is an incredible find!!!

[PtolemyJones]

@19gonzaga99 there is this one ht tp:/ /youtu .be/PF w7K5-MV8I

[TomorrowNeverKnows1]

This is the best versión, better than the film, with the great Ian Gillan as Jesus

[SZRD]

Best Judas ever.

[Zappafan5150]

Is this that One Night in Bangkok guy?

[GBJPhotoWorks]

@Zappafan5150 singing? yes. lyricist? yes.

[Hanson913]

Actually, my guess is Rice did NOT alter the song for either censorship or to make it more "radio friendly" for a couple of reasons. First, the changes accomplish neither goal. If anything they're just "different". And second, the 45 picture sleeve states, "now in preparation". Together, it implies this is a pre-production version whose lyrics were changed by the time the album was recorded.

[dbrennan76]

wow!!!! Rice changed 90% of the original lyrics!!! the background singers leave little to be desired

[nemafann]

I haven't heard this before and it sucks. I live in CA and don't recall this being played here. We heard the album version. Sorry I can't come up with a better word than sucks, but it sucks.

[therascalking0000]

That is so weird. It hardly makes sense like this.

[penntocali]

So sad that the lyrics had to be revised to avoid offending the small-minded with insecure beliefs....

Comical even!

[GBJPhotoWorks]

Absolutely fascinating! I've never heard this before, despite having been a fan since the original album release, and having played Judas when I was a much younger man. I'd be curious whether the altered wording is Tim Rice's work or not.

[bridesheadrevisited]

Thanks for the comment. Yes, the alterations were made by Tim Rice, although under protest. He realised the changes weakened the story and are not too clever as the original. However, it had to be done in order for it to be played on US radio.

[mattski73]

Wonderous. Thank you!

[chaosIsTheOnlyPower]

The different lyrics work on their own level even aside from the censorship issues.

It's my fav tune from the show and features Murray the best imho.

Thanks for posting!

[MrMolson123]

This is why I love You Tube. :)

[dfarmbrough]

Excellent - I had never heard this before now although I loved Murray's singles One Night In Bangkok, and that other one that I can't remember now (and why is there no online singles discography for him? Even on his own site!) It's strange and wonderful.

[Ed2hot]

i like it ^_^ though the original lyrics are better

[artemisthehuntress]

Wow, very cool, never knew this existed. What's even cooler is you have it on a 45. Murray Head is still my favorite Judas!

[Doomitume]

what are the backup singers saying?

[SweeneyTodd109]

Heaven on their minds,

Heaven on their minds,

Heaven on their minds,

Heaven...

[PtolemyJones]

Wow, very different words. Thanks for posting!

[rujiel17]

Hey. What''s the added background chorus singing? I love their part! it adds such emphasis.

[rujiel17]

Curious! Thanks for the add.

[RickenbackerBeatles]

I have this posted on my channel. I'll post it as a video response.

[cassues]

Overrated....

[rmsparklechick]

Murray Head sounds better here than he does on the entirety of the Chess concept album.

It's interesting how the original lyrics of this song seem to be more based on the culture of the 1970s than it did for Biblical times. Rice definitely changed the lyrics to make it less about current events and politics. Thought the parallel was clearly made in the later version as well.

[Therealrealbenji]

Nifty. Thanks for the upload!

[fantasyfactory]

I'm looking for a transcript of these (uncensored) lyrics: can someone help me ?

[secondeagle]

My mind is clearer now At last, all too well I can see where we all soon will be If you strip away The sleep from your eyes You will see where we all soon will be Jesus! I started to believe The things they say of you I really did believe That what they said was true And everything I do Will soon get swept away No one listens anymore To anything today

[secondeagle]

Listen Jesus I don't like what I see

All I ask is that you listen to me

And remember - I've been your right hand man all along

For the world is catching fire

They're looking for a new Messiah

We are falling, we are going wrong

[secondeagle]

I remember when this whole thing began

We spoke of peace, we would love every man

And believe me - my admiration for you hasn't died

But every word you say today

Gets twisted 'round some other way

They'll forget you if they think you've lied

[secondeagle]

Crazy people in control

Laughing, weeping, dancing souls

You would think that rock and roll's

All that we do -

Never time to catch a breath

Fighting, lying, dying, death

Death...death -

Nothing is true

[secondeagle]

Listen Jesus do you care for your race?

Don't you see that we're stuck in this place?

We're only human -

Have you forgotten how put down we are?

I am frightened by the crowd

For we are getting much too loud

And they'll crush us if we go too far

If we go too far

[secondeagle]

(instrumental, then:)

Listen Jesus to the warning I give

Please remember that I want us to live

But it's sad to see

Our chances weakening with every hour

We are impotent and blind

Too much heaven on our minds

It was beautiful but now it's sour

Yes it's all gone sour - ah -

[mysterywhiteboy41]

I've been searching for this for YEARS. Awesome!

[muppetfest]

Would you mind sending me this Mp3? I have it, but mine seems to be speed up by accident, I would to have one the quality of this! I would appreciate it!

[bridesheadrevisited]

No problem. I had taken this from the original 45 and remastered it for cd/dvd audio. So the mp3s sound far better than the version I posted here on YouTube. And it's in stereo. :)

[WJvanEden]

Would you be willing to send it to me as well? I'm a big JCS fan and I'd love to have this in the best quality. Thanks in advance!