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1. Emeli Sande - Heaven
A Level Examination
Set Case Study Music Video
TODAY WE ARE:
STARTING TO CREATE A SET CASE STUDY ON EMELI SANDE’S HEAVEN
MUSIC VIDEO

2. Component 1
Component 01: Media messages
Students study news and online, social and participatory media in depth and learn about how media language is
used to construct representations and meaning in a variety of set media products.
There are two sections:
In section A: News and online media, students carry out two linked in-depth studies that focus on contemporary
news in the UK, requiring students to explore how and why newspapers and their online counterparts are
evolving as media products and the relationship between both online and offline news.
In section B: Media language and representation, students focus on media language and representation and
consider how meanings are constructed across different media forms. This covers advertising and marketing,
magazines and music videos.
In addition, students engage in an overarching in-depth study of the online, social and participatory media forms
that they meet in their work on sections A and B.

3. Exam Question..
Section B
Media Language and Representation
Explain how representations in music videos are chosen to promote the artist(s).
Refer to one of the music videos you have studied to support your answer. [10]
You should have studied two music videos: one from List A and one from List B below.
List A List B
Corinne Bailey Rae – Stop Where You Are Radiohead – Burn the Witch
Massive Attack – Unfinished Sympathy Fatboy Slim – Ya Mama
Emeli Sandé – Heaven David Guetta – Titanium

4. Mark Scheme (out of 10 marks – the whole paper is out of 70 marks)
Level Mark Scheme Mark
3 A comprehensive demonstration of knowledge and understanding of representations in
music videos.
* Comprehensive, detailed and accurate knowledge and understanding of representations in music videos.
* Clear and precise and balanced explanation of how representations are chosen to promote the artist(s) in music videos.
* Answer is supported by detailed and accurate reference to one set music video.
7–10
2 An adequate demonstration of knowledge and understanding of representations in music
videos.
* Adequate and generally accurate knowledge and understanding of representations in music videos.
* Generally accurate explanation of how representations are chosen to promote the
artist(s) in music videos.
* Answer is supported by general accurate reference to one set music video.
4 - 6
1 A minimal demonstration of knowledge and understanding of representations in music
videos.
* Knowledge of representation in music videos is minimal, demonstrating little understanding.
* Explanation of how representations are used in music videos is minimal and may not always be accurate.
* Reference to a set music video to support the answer is minimal and may be inaccurate.
1 - 3
0 No response or no response worthy of credit 0

5. Introduction – Heaven
Lyric Analysis
1. Read through the lyrics
2. Choose the most powerful words and phrases that provoke thoughts and ideas about themes,
context and representation of social groups.
3. Do they give you any hints about what the music video could involve?
4. Are any themes evident through the lyrics of this song?
5. Would you expect Emeli Sande to have a large role in the video?
6. Would it be mainly a performance or narrative video?

6. What Themes are evident in the lyrics?
Religion? (Links to Heaven, waiting with good intentions)
Drug Taking? (Will you recognise me in the flashing lights? I try to keep my heartbeat…)
About wanting–deep down–to be a good person but realising this is not reflected in your
actions. There is a central theme of guilt or regret for not living up to your own intentions.
(Something's gone inside me, and I can't get it back.)

7. Emeli Sande Said…
Emeli Sandé said this about the song,
“Heaven came from a conversation I was having with my producer Naughty Boy, we were
talking about what it means to be good in this day and age, and how it’s harder for our
generation because things move so fast, and how there’s so many influences and avenues,
and he said, You just have to keep your heart clean. It was the imagery of a clean or dirty
heart that inspired me, and we wrote it in about half an hour. I knew I wanted it to be my
first song from the off.”
“I definitely believe in God and I believe in heaven, although I don’t follow religion.
Heaven was about trying to be good. My idea of heaven? A lot of music, somewhere very
calm. I felt it at Christmas with the family around. Kids are so pure and innocent, and one
was learning the piano. It reminded me of when I was learning.”

8. Emeli Sande – Background to Heaven
Adele Sandé is a Scottish R&B and soul singer-songwriter who records under the stage name of Emeli
Sandé. Before pursuing music, Sandé studied medicine at University of Glasgow. The Scot first entered the
public eye in 2009 when she featured on rapper Chipmunk's debut single, “Diamond Rings," which gave
her and Chipmunk a first top 10 hit on the UK Singles Chart. In 2010, Sandé appeared again on Wiley's
“Never Be Your Woman," which became another top ten hit, and on “Let Go," which was the closing track
of Tinie Tempah's debut album. Sandé also co-penned Alesha Dixon's single “Radio." The same year she
signed her first major record deal with Virgin Records before signing another deal with EMI in 2011.
This euphoric Trip-Pop tune is Emeli Sandé's debut solo single. She wrote the song with Naughty Boy, who
is a British grime producer who previously collaborated with her on "Diamond Rings" and "Never Be Your
Woman.“ It was also the first release from Sandé's debut album, Our Version of Events on 14 August 2011.
The single was added to BBC Radio One’s playlist in June 2011. The song was also crowned record of the
week by the station’s daytime DJ, Fearne Cotton. The single is written by Sandé, Naughty Boy, Craze and
Hoax, with producer Mike Spencer.

9. Emeli Sande – Background to Heaven
Digital Spy said that the song is a mixture of pacey house beats, mellow strings (arranged by Cliff
Masterson) and Mark Ronson-esque horn sections. The song was also compared to Leona
Lewis (whom Sandé has written tracks for) and Yasmin. One critic said that the song was “ticking all
the good boxes in modern urban music." Critics also said that the song "stunned" them when they
heard the song. The single was released accompanied by a music video, which was filmed in London,
UK which premiered on August 22, 2011 on Emeli Sandé's official YouTube account. Throughout the
video the music has scenes of Sandé singing to the sky, and standing outside of a Cathedral, there are
also many shots where Mary, mother of Jesus' statue is seen in the video. The single was released
via digital download and 7” vinyl on 14 August and 15 August 2011, respectively. The single was made
to pre-order several weeks before it was released on iTunes
The song's music video was directed by Jake Nava, who has previously worked with Beyoncé, Alicia
Keys, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. It was shot in Bethnal Green, in East London where Sandé lives.
"We wanted to capture a real British vibe and keep it really simple to emphasize the lyrics," the singer
told Spinner.

10. Watch The Video again….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=883yQqdOaLg
(You need to watch it more than once!)
ANSWER ON SHEET

11. Task/HOMEWORK…
Complete the following tasks:
1. ARTIST RESEARCH - Complete research into the Artist – Emeli Sande. Find out detailed
information about her background and her first album ‘Our Version of Events’ as well as the
song ‘Heaven’.
2. SOCIAL - The song ‘Heaven’ was released in on 12th August 2011. Complete research into the
year 2011 and key events that happened before and on this date in the UK. Are there any events
that could link to the song?