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"Sheep Go to Heaven"
Single by Cake
from the album Prolonging the Magic
Released	1999
Recorded	1998
Genre	Alternative rock
Length	4:44
Label	Capricorn Records
Songwriter(s)	John McCrea
Producer(s)	Cake
Cake singles chronology
"You Turn the Screws" (1999) "Sheep Go to Heaven" (1999) "Short Skirt/Long Jacket" (2001)

"Sheep Go to Heaven" is a single by American alternative rock band Cake from their 1998 album Prolonging the Magic. The song's title references the parable of The Sheep and the Goats from Chapter 25 of the Gospel of Matthew. The lyrics state "so astutely" that the good go to everlasting life, while the evil will go away with Satan and his avatars. The lyrics invoke the belief in justice and Armageddon, as well as "Hotel California: a "smell of Karma was heavy in the air."

Critical reception

In a mixed, standalone review of the song, Billboard wrote that while it’s "a catchy novelty track," it ends “like a campfire ditty….”

Track listing

Music video

The music video for "Sheep Go to Heaven" is animated in a style reminiscent of South Park, and features members of Cake dressed as a KISS cover band, playing in a sports bar. A disgruntled employee of a greeting-card company enters the sports bar with a machete, and massacres the crowd, sending the band to Heaven. Later, the employee is convicted, executed, and sent to Hell. The video was directed by Mark Kornweibel.

Chart positions

The song debuted on the Modern Rock Tracks (or Alternative rock) charts on February 20, 1999, peaking at the 16th slot, staying up for 14 weeks, and being the second highest ranking song of the album and the band’s fifth highest-ranking single ever.

References

1. Meza, L. O. U. (2006). The Christ Literalist: Complete Quotes from the World's Most Renowned Revolutionary. p. 58. ISBN 9780595382910. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
2. Patrick, Trevor (2014). Sooner Or Later, They'll Turn on You! - Selected Songs & Poems - 2013-2014. p. 162. ISBN 9781312425767. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
3. Royston, Jay (2018). Karmageddon. p. 85. ISBN 9780359235315. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
4. "Rock Tracks: Cake: Sheep Go To Heaven". Billboard. Vol. 111, no. 7. February 13, 1999. p. 41. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
5. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn Presents Rock Tracks 1981-2008. Record Research. p. 46. ISBN 9780898201741. Retrieved November 22, 2024.

• Cake (band) songs
• 1998 singles
• 1998 songs
• Songs written by John McCrea (musician)
• Capricorn Records singles
• Songs about sheep