🎶 Almost Heaven – The Kelly Family (1996): A Complete Album Guide
Released in October 1996, Almost Heaven stands as one of the most popular and commercially successful albums by The Kelly Family. Featuring a blend of catchy folk‑pop melodies, heartfelt ballads, and an eclectic mix of styles, this record helped solidify the family’s status as one of Europe’s favorite pop‑folk acts in the mid‑1990s.
With numerous singles charting across Europe and a loyal fan following, Almost Heaven remains a standout title in the group’s discography and a fan favorite to this day.
📀 Album Overview
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Artist: The Kelly Family
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Album: Almost Heaven
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Release Date: 25 October 1996 (Europe)
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Genre: Pop / Folk / Pop‑Rock
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Label: Kel‑Life Records / Airforce1 (distributed)
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Length: ~47 minutes
As the band’s ninth studio album, Almost Heaven captures The Kelly Family at a peak creative moment. It combines their signature harmonies with engaging songwriting and a diverse range of musical influences — from pop and folk to rock‑tinged ballads.
📋 Official Tracklist
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When The Boys Come Into Town
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Every Baby
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I Can’t Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You)
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Nanana
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You Belong to Me
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Staying Alive
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Come Back To Me
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Fell In Love With An Alien
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Hey Diddle Diddle
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Like a Queen
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Stars Fall From Heaven
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Thunder
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Calling Heaven
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Nothing Like Home
Each track showcases different family members on lead vocals, giving the album variety and emotional depth.
🎤 Album Credits (Key Contributors)
Songwriting: The Kelly Family (collective)
Production: Kathy Kelly & Paddy Kelly
Executive Production: Dan Kelly & Mike Ungefehr
Engineering & Mixing: Günther Kasper, Max Carola
Mastering: Dieter Wegner & Georgi Nedeltschev
Like many Kelly Family albums, Almost Heaven was written and produced largely within the family, reflecting their DIY ethos and collaborative spirit.
📈 Sales & Certifications
Almost Heaven was a major commercial success in Europe:
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~1,730,000 copies sold across eight countries.
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Germany: ~1,000,000 copies — 2× Platinum certification.
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Austria: ~100,000 — 2× Platinum.
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Switzerland: ~100,000 — 2× Platinum.
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Netherlands: ~100,000 — Platinum.
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Poland: ~200,000 — 2× Platinum.
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Spain: ~100,000 — Platinum.
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Norway: ~50,000 — Platinum.
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Portugal: ~80,000 — 2× Platinum.
Total sales approaching 1.73 million copies make Almost Heaven one of the band’s strongest sellers, second only to Over The Hump overall.
🎵 Most Popular Tracks
Several songs from Almost Heaven became well‑loved hits and singles:
⭐ I Can’t Help Myself (I Love You, I Want You)
Released as the lead single, the upbeat pop‑folk track topped charts in Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway and the Czech Republic.
🌟 Every Baby
A tender ballad led by Maite Kelly — it became a hit in Switzerland and beyond.
💫 Fell In Love With An Alien
A playful duet single blending pop and folk elements, also charting in the Netherlands.
🎤 When The Boys Come Into Town
An energetic anthem featuring multiple family members on vocals.
Other fan favorites include Nanana, You Belong To Me, Calling Heaven and Nothing Like Home, each showcasing the group’s vocal harmonies and eclectic songwriting.
🌟 Fun Facts & Trivia
🎙️ Diverse Vocal Leads
Unlike some earlier albums, Almost Heaven spreads lead vocals across siblings — including Paddy, Maite, Angelo, John and Kathy — creating a dynamic listening experience.
🎧 Studio Craftsmanship
The album was recorded in part at Sound Studio ’N’ in Cologne and later released via Kel‑Life with wide distribution across Europe.
🌍 Chart Success
Almost Heaven continued the band’s streak of chart‑topping releases, reaching #1 in several European countries including Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
🎼 Musical Variety
The album doesn’t stick to a single style — from upbeat pop tracks to heartfelt ballads and rock‑leaning numbers, it highlights the group’s versatility.
❓ Did You Know?
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Almost Heaven is the ninth studio album by The Kelly Family and was first released nearly two years after their blockbuster hit Over The Hump (1994).
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Songs from this album remain popular at concerts and fan playlists decades later.
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The album has been reissued on CD and vinyl, including special editions tied to later Kelly Family reunions and tours.
