Heaven Can Wait

"Heaven Can Wait"Song by Michael Jackson
General information
Released	October 30, 2001
Recorded	2001
Studio	Future Recording Studios (Norfolk, Virginia) Criteria Recording Studios (Miami, Florida)
Genre	R&B • quiet storm • soul
Length	4:49
Album	Invincible
Label	Epic Records
Writer(s)	Michael Jackson • Teddy Riley • Andreao Heard • Nate Smith • Teron Beal • Eritza Laues • Kenny Quiller
Producer(s)	Michael Jackson • Teddy Riley • Andreao Heard • Nate Smith
Track list
Previous	"Break of Dawn"
Current	"Heaven Can Wait"
Next	"You Rock My World"
Music video

"Heaven Can Wait" is a song written and produced by American singer-songwriter Michael Jackson, released as the fifth track on the Invincible album.

Background

Andreao Heard wrote "Heaven Can Wait", being inspired by Jackson's 1982 song, "The Lady in My Life". He first offered the track to Jackson's sister Janet, and later also offered it to R&B singer Kevon Edmonds. However, Heard eventually forwarded the song to Teddy Riley through his assistant, so that it'd be later used for the Invincible album.

Riley wanted the song for his shelved solo album Black Rock, but agreed to let Jackson record it. Jackson recorded "Heaven Can Wait" in 2001, at Future and Criteria Recording Studios.

“	When I did that song with him, he held his heart and he said ‘Teddy, is this mine?’ I said, ‘It’s yours if you want it, Michael’ He’s like: ‘I want it, let’s go get it!’ He was so excited. I have a couple of witnesses that were in the room when he said ‘I want that song. I need that song in my life.’	”
–Riley reflecting on Jackson's enthusiasm for the song

Lyrics

[Chorus]
Tell the angels, "No"
I don't wanna leave my baby alone
I don't want nobody else to hold you
That's a chance I'll take
Baby, I'll stay
Heaven can wait
No, if the angels took me from this Earth
I would tell them, "Bring me back to her"
It's a chance I'll take, maybe I'll stay
Heaven can wait

[Verse 1]
You're beautiful, you're wonderful
Incredible, I love you so
You're beautiful
Each moment spent with you is simply wonderful
This love I have for you, girl, it's incredible
And I don't know what I'd do if I can't be with you
The world could not go on so every night I pray
If the Lord should come for me before I wake
I wouldn't wanna go if I can't see your face, can't hold you close
What good would Heaven be
If the angels came for me, I'd tell them, "No"

[Chorus]
No, I don't wanna leave my baby alone
I don't want nobody else to hold you
That's a chance I'll take
Baby, I'll stay
Heaven can wait
No, if the angels took me from this Earth
I would tell them, "Bring me back to her"
It's a chance I'll take, maybe I'll stay
Heaven can wait

[Verse 2]
Unthinkable
Me sittin' up in the clouds and you are all alone
The time might come around when you'd be movin' on
(Movin' on)
I'd turn it all around and try to get back down to my baby girl
Can't stand to see nobody kissing, touchin' her
Couldn't take nobody lovin' you the way we were
What good would Heaven be
If the angels come for me, I'd tell them, "No!"

[Chorus]
No, I don't wanna leave my baby alone
(My baby!)
I don't want nobody else to hold you
(Don't you do this to me!)
That's a chance I'll take
(If the angels come around!)
Baby, I'll stay, Heaven can wait
(Just tell them to bring me down to my baby!)
No, if the angels took me from this Earth
(Don't you do this do me!)
I would tell them, "Bring me back to her"
It's a chance I'll take, maybe I'll stay
Heaven can wait

[Verse 3]
Oh, no, can't be without my baby
(I can't be without my baby!)
Won't go without her, I'd go crazy
(You can't do this to me!)
Oh, no, guess Heaven will be waiting
(See, if the angels come around, just tell them to bring me down, to my baby!)
Ooh
Oh, no, can't be without my baby
(Don't you do this to me!)
Won't go, without her, I'd go crazy
(I can't be without my baby!)
Oh, no, guess Heaven will be waiting
(I love you, girl! I need you, baby! I want you, baby!)
No!

[Chorus]
No, I don't wanna leave my baby alone
I don't want nobody else to hold you
That's a chance I'll take
Baby, I'll stay
Heaven can wait
No, if the angels took me from this Earth
I would tell them, "Bring me back to her"
It's a chance I'll take, maybe I'll stay
Heaven can wait

[Outro]
Leave us alone
Just leave us alone
(You're beautiful, you’re wonderful, incredible, I love you so)
Leave us alone
Please leave us alone
(You’re beautiful)
Please leave us alone
Oh, leave me alone
Please leave me alone
I said leave me alone

Trivia

• The song picked up popularity in 2023 after blowing up on TikTok alongside songs like "Chicago".