Heaven

• Who is Emeli Sandé?

  She is a singer-songwriter from Scotland.
• What was Emeli Sandé's debut solo single?

  Heaven
• When was Heaven released?

  In 2011
• Where was Emeli Sandé born?

  Sunderland in the North East of England
• What is the ethnic background of Emeli Sandé's parents?

  Her father is Zambian and her mother is English.
• At what age did Emeli Sandé move to Scotland?

  She moved when she was four.
• Who directed the video for Heaven?

  Jake Nava
• Where was the video for Heaven filmed?

  In Bethnal Green, East London
• What did Emeli Sandé want to capture in the video for Heaven?

  A real British vibe and simplicity to emphasize the lyrics.
• What themes does Sandé describe in the song Heaven?

  How youth is over too quickly and the influence of friends, family, and media.
• What inspired Emeli Sandé to write Heaven?

  A conversation with her producer about keeping one's heart clean amidst influences.
• How long did it take to write the song Heaven?

  About half an hour
• How many views does the video for Heaven have on YouTube at the time of writing?

  Nearly 25 million views
• What motifs are included in the video for Heaven?

  Religious iconography and social iconography reflecting class, age, and race.
• How has the video been treated to give it a specific effect?

  It has been treated to give it the effect of an analogue film.
• What does the sky symbolize in the video for Heaven?

  It is symbolic in several different ways and reflects the title of the song.
• What does the beginning and end of the video suggest?

  They suggest an old film reel pre-roll and a film reaching the end of its spool.
• What type of shots and camera movements are used in the video?

  A range of shots, camera angles, and camera movement.
• Why is much of the video open to interpretation?

  There is no clear narrative through-line, combining performance with conceptual reflection.
• What musical elements are included in the song Heaven?

  Elements of gospel, trip hop, and breakbeat.
• How do music videos communicate meanings?

  • Using elliptical, fragmentary editing
  • Employing symbolism and connotation
  • Lacking a clear narrative structure
  • Combining performance with conceptual elements
• What does the opening montage of the video introduce?

  A range of "characters" that recur throughout the video.
• How is Emeli Sandé's significance portrayed in the video?

  She is shot in medium close-up, connoting her importance.
• What does the juxtaposition of Sandé and other characters suggest?

  Possible situations involving the various people featured.
• What does the ending of the video signify?

  Sandé leaves the shot after her final line, "then I'm gone".
• How does Sandé use modes of language in the video?

  She uses elements of performance, ellipses, and visuals referring to lyrical content.
• What does the gritty urban world in the video suggest?

  It grounds the video in a realistic setting, emphasized by the film grading effect.
• What urban settings are explored in the video?

  Pathways under bridges, rainy night-time streets, residential squares, and buses.
• What might the choice of urban settings signify?

  They could reflect societal issues and the artist's connection to the environment.
• How does the video depict characters in relation to societal views?

  It reinforces stereotypical views about society, such as emotional hurt and joy.
• What does the use of religious iconography in the video signify?

  It may signify something spiritual and is linked to the title and lyrics.
• What does the phrase "Fear is your only God" suggest in the video?

  It implies a critical view of fear as a controlling force in life.
• How does the video fit into the broader category of music videos?

  It shows the standard relationship between music and images, with performance and conceptual elements.
• What quality does the video have that invites audience interpretation?

  It has an expressionistic quality with disjointed juxtapositions and out-of-focus shots.
• What genre conventions does the video play with?

  Social realism, religious redemption, and documentary elements.
• What intertextual elements might be discussed in the video?

  Sandé's St Christopher necklace and the archetypical representation of characters.
• What is the lyric "Fear is your only God" associated with?

  It is a lyric from the track Vietnow by Rage Against The Machine.
• What processes of representation are present in the video?

  There are numerous representations that might be explored for significance.
• What is the significance of the song's title "Heaven" in relation to its themes?

  The title reflects the song's exploration of youth and the influences that shape it.
• How has the song Heaven impacted contemporary music?

  It has influenced discussions about youth and societal pressures in music.