"(If Paradise Is) Half as Nice" is a popular 1968 song. Originally written by the Italian singer-songwriter Lucio Battisti under the title "Il paradiso" ("The Paradise"), it was first recorded by Italian singer Ambra Borelli and released as a single through Dischi Ricordi under alias La Ragazza 77.[1] Although her version did not chart, it was later covered by other artists to much success, most notably by Patty Pravo (in Italian) and Amen Corner (in English) in 1969.
Patty Pravo recorded the song under the shortened title "Il paradiso" for her second studio album Concerto per Patty. The track was released as a single in early 1969 and reached the top 10 in the Italian chart. It was performed at Festivalbar.[2] Pravo re-recorded the song on her 2019 album Red to mark the 50th anniversary of the original version.
The song was translated into English by Jack Fishman. When it was offered to The Tremeloes as a potential single, they rejected it. It was then recorded by Amen Corner as their debut single for their new record label, Immediate Records, and was produced by Shel Talmy.[6] The most successful of the band's six hit singles, it reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for two weeks in February 1969,[7] and number 34 when it was reissued in 1976.[8] There are two differing versions of the song by Amen Corner; one with orchestra and a prominent horn through the middle eight, and one version without either. However, the basic track and vocals appear the same in both.[citation needed]