"In High Places" is a song by musician Mike Oldfield, included in the 1983 album Crises and released as a single in 1987 (see 1987 in music), along with (on the B-side) "Poison Arrows" (from Discovery) and "Jungle Gardenia" (non-album track).[2]

"In High Places"
Single by Mike Oldfield
from the album Crises
B-side"Poison Arrows"
Released18 May 1987[1]
RecordedDenham November 1982 – April 1983
GenrePop rock
Length3:33
LabelVirgin
Songwriter(s)Mike Oldfield (music)
Mike Oldfield & Jon Anderson (lyrics)
Producer(s)Mike Oldfield
Simon Phillips
Mike Oldfield singles chronology
"Shine"
(1986)
"In High Places"
(1987)
"Islands"
(1987)
Audio video
"In High Places (Remastered 2013)" on YouTube

Delayed single release

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On the occasion of Virgin Records founder Richard Branson's launch of the then-largest hot-air balloon ever made, the song was released as a single in 1987 in the UK and Spain, four years after the Crises LP. It features Jon Anderson (lead singer of the progressive rock band Yes) on vocals and as co-writer.[3]

Use in sampling

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"In High Places" is sampled in Kanye West's song "Dark Fantasy" from the 2010 album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, and in DJ Wich's song "Much Higher", from the 2008 album, The Golden Touch.[4]

Track listing

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  1. "In High Places" (Oldfield, Anderson) – 3:33
  2. "Poison Arrows" (Oldfield) – 3:53
  3. "Jungle Gardenia" (Oldfield) – 2:37

References

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  1. ^ "New Singles". Music Week. 16 May 1987. p. 27.
  2. ^ Mike Oldfield (Ft. Jon Anderson) – In High Places, retrieved 2024-08-28
  3. ^ First transatlantic crossing by hot-air balloon | Guinness World Records [https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/63137-hot-air-balloon-first-atlantic-crossing]
  4. ^ Kanye West feat. Nicki Minaj and Bon Iver's 'Dark Fantasy' sample of Mike Oldfield feat. Jon Anderson's 'In High Places' | WhoSampled {https://www.whosampled.com/sample/66471/Kanye-West-Nicki-Minaj-Bon-Iver-Dark-Fantasy-Mike-Oldfield-Jon-Anderson-In-High-Places/}