Spinner

Brett Dennen With Natalie Merchant, 'Heaven' -- Song Premiere

It's been about six years since we've heard new music from Natalie Merchant, retrospectives, reissues, live performances and an appearance on the homeless benefit album 'Give Us Your Poor' notwithstanding. But along comes eternally optimistic singer-songwriter Brett Dennen and now Merchant is back in the spotlight on a new duet.

The tune is 'Heaven,' which Dennen originally released last year on his sunny-side-up album 'Hope for the Hopeless.' That album title was even pulled from 'Heaven's' lyrics. Nonetheless -- and not surprisingly -- Dennen doesn't seem too upset about remaking it to include Merchant.

"Working with Natalie was a dream come true," Dennen tells Spinner. "I've been a big fan for a long time. When I hear her sing my lyrics with her unmistakably beautiful voice, it is a profound encouragement."

That's nice. It's also somehow cyclical: The song itself offers the listener profound encouragement in positing that there is, indeed, hope for the hopeless. Hopefully.

Listen to 'Heaven'

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23 Comments

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Albert

AWESOME!!!this girl is the best!!!spent the 80's seeing this girl in every drive bar in wny...glad to see she is back...talent&beauty are only a couple of her fine qualities.....really lookin forward to hearing more...WELCOME BACK...NATILIE

October 12 2009 at 3:07 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Dolores Toolis

I luv this duet song, I never heard of BD, because I'm a big fan of NM, I wanted to know more about this guy and purchase his cd and luv it and now i going to see him live in Nov at the House of Blues in Chicago. I luv NM sensual, sultry voice and can't wait for her new cd and hopefully a tour in 2010. Great Song and Lyrics!
Dolores T

September 26 2009 at 1:07 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
jameson

This reminds me of when Natalie Merchant (with 10000 Maniacs) and David Byrne did "Let the mystery be" - also two very unique voices crashing together like cinnamon and sugar.
I really like the sounds of Brett and Natalie's crash (maybe like chocolate covered coconut).
In both songs (Heaven & Let the mystery be) I feel like there's a perspective of 'no ONE religion' and 'just be good', which isn't the case, but the points of goodness are undeniable. Way to spread Peace and Hope. Thanks for the hit.

September 08 2009 at 3:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Sher

I really like the song Heaven with both Natalie and Brett. Each of them is a soulful person and the message they bring should be listened to and understood.

September 05 2009 at 4:51 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
A Normal Person

What a sappy, cheesy song. And, I can think of a lot of other singers who are way, way better than Natalie Merchant. Johnette Napolitono of Concrete Blonde, Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star, Amy Winehouse, and Faith Hill, just to name a few. Natalie Merchant is mediocre, at best.

September 05 2009 at 1:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to A Normal Person's comment
Valann Geysen

Natalie's voice is versatile, husky, lush, soft and smooth, high, low and smoky. She is also a highly intelligent individual, and extremely talented.

September 22 2009 at 9:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Robert

Brett Dennan is an immature clown.Listen to the guys lyrics. He is an utter fool. Wake up Brett!!!! We don't live on fantasy island, you have to deal with the real world.

September 05 2009 at 1:29 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
michael

GREAT lyrics - great voice - raspy like amy

September 05 2009 at 12:56 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Christine

I liked the song when it was just Brett Dennen. I like Natalie Merchant, and all, but the song was magical enough for me with just Brett Dennen. I'll stick to the original version.

September 05 2009 at 12:36 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
aatrapsupply

great voice crummy lyrucs, the only way to sell a song is to sing about sadness. the political messages in music ruin it for me . songs should be uplifting.

September 05 2009 at 12:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
amyinthesky

Dear Brett and Natalie,

If this song doesn't inspire people
to help those who have found the
opposite of heaven on earth,
then your fans have a listening
problem...myself included.

September 05 2009 at 11:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply