“Touching Heaven” by JOHNNYSWIM is a love song that transcends the physical realm, exploring themes of divine love and the spiritual connection between two people. The lyrics suggest that love, in its purest form, is akin to experiencing the divine or touching heaven. Through poetic imagery and heartfelt expressions, the songwriters convey that being with their loved ones brings them closer to a spiritual awakening, making every moment heavenly. The message is clear: love is not just an emotion but a sacred experience that elevates one’s existence. The song is about the profound impact of true love and how it can make the ordinary feel extraordinary, turning everyday life into a glimpse of the divine.
It seems JOHNNYSWIM wanted to share the personal experience with love, highlighting its power to transform and uplift, making the lover a conduit to the divine.
“Touching Heaven” Lyrics Meaning
From the first lines, “All I see are angels / All these streets are gold,” the songwriters set a ethereal and otherworldly scene, immediately drawing a parallel between love and heavenly imagery. This isn’t just about the euphoria of love; it’s about finding something sacred in the connection with another person. The golden streets aren’t literal roads but a metaphor for how the path to their loved one is as precious and magnificent as the streets of heaven itself.
The refrain, “If touching love is touching God / No wonder I’m in heaven, when I’m holding you,” is a profound declaration that love is a divine experience. It suggests that in the act of loving and being close to someone, we touch something far greater than ourselves. This idea that love can be a bridge to experiencing divinity is powerful and central to the song’s message.
As the lyrics unfold, they reveal a simplicity in the beauty of love, likened to “a song, a melody repeating in this heart.” This comparison to music—a universal language that transcends words—emphasizes that love is an essential, repeating rhythm in the human experience, one that doesn’t need to be complex to be profound.
The songwriters express a contentment in the present, a rejection of waiting for grand gestures or signs (“I won’t be holding my breath for chariots / I’m not just waiting for skies to part”) because they have already found their slice of heaven in their loved one. This perspective is refreshing; it’s not about seeking perfection or waiting for a monumental sign but finding the divine in the here and now, in the person right in front of them.
The repeated lines “You’re my hallelujah” serve as a powerful testament to their love being a source of joy, wonder, and spiritual revelation. The term “hallelujah” is often used to express a feeling of joy or praise, and in this context, it signifies that the person they love is the embodiment of their deepest joy and gratitude—a reason to celebrate and a manifestation of the divine in their life.
The Story Behind “Touching Heaven”
This song might have been born out of a period of intense emotional connection, where the songwriters were not only reflecting on the nature of love but also on its power to elevate the human experience to something divine. It’s as if through their relationship, they were able to touch a piece of heaven, to feel a closeness to the divine through the act of loving another person.
This idea of finding the divine in love suggests that, for the songwriters, love is not just an emotion but a spiritual journey, a path that leads them closer to understanding the larger mysteries of existence. It’s a reminder that sometimes, the most profound spiritual experiences come not from solitary contemplation but from the deep, meaningful connections we forge with others.
“Touching Heaven” is more than a song; it’s a testament to the power of love to transform, uplift, and bring us closer to the divine. The story behind it, though deeply personal, resonates universally, as it speaks to the heart of what it means to find something sacred in the love we share with another.