"Almost Paradise... Love Theme from Footloose" is the title of a duet sung by Mike Reno of Loverboy and Ann Wilson of Heart. It is one of several major hits written by singer Eric Carmen with lyricist Dean Pitchford, another being "Make Me Lose Control". Because both of their respective bands were successful during the 1980s, Reno and Wilson were approached to record a duet for the film Footloose and its accompanying soundtrack.

Background

"Almost Paradise" was one of three top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 chart found on the Footloose soundtrack album; it peaked at No. 7 and spent 13 weeks in the top 40. An alternate version of the song with a slightly different musical arrangement, which has never been released, is used in the film. Other hits from this soundtrack include the film's title track by Kenny Loggins and "Let's Hear It for the Boy" by Deniece Williams, both of which went to No. 1 on the pop chart. "Almost Paradise" was also a hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks chart in the United States, where it spent one week at No. 1. Both singers Mike Reno and Ann Wilson resumed their respective roles within their bands Loverboy and Heart following this one-off recording.

Chart performance

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Personnel

Movie Version: Album Version:

Cover versions

In popular culture