"Heaven" is a song and music video by British artists Emeli Sande. The main themes in the music video are religion/spirituality, street life, and gender representation.
In the video Emeli Sande is not sexualised. This is shown through the way she is dressed as she wears all black clothing (almost nun like - relates to religion) that covers her completely.Throughout the video Emili Sande gives very little direct address. It is unclear why this is but it could be that it is not the audience she is singing to.
Religion is represented in many ways throughout the music video. This is especially clear through the use of obvious connotations to christianity such as crosses, angels/wings, and a symbol of the virgin Mary. It is also shown through Emeli Sande, as well as a few others, constantly looking up to the sky. This could suggest they are looking at or signing to God. The diversity of people looking to the sky could show they are looking at different God's that they identify with. The use of natural looking bright lighting gives a heavenly feel to the video which reflects the title of the video. The lyrics also have religious connotations to them such as "I wait with good intentions" suggesting Sande's faith. The lyrics also show sins and redemption in the line "something's gone inside me and I cant get it back".
Gender is showed in a wide range of ways. Males and Females are depicted in the video with some defying gender stereotypes and others following their gender stereotypes. In the video we can see that women are not sexualised and ovjectified in the music video. Even the woman in the red dress, who might be typically objectified, is walking away with her back to the camera which suggests she is refusing to be sexualised. However, one of the males in the video is slightly sexualised as we see him lying naked while looking up, possibly seeking guidance which would suggest he is not meeting typical masculine stereotypes. However, there is a woman who is seen looking after a baby which clearly fits with typical feminine gender roles of nurturing.
