| "Heaven" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Emeli Sandé | ||||
| from the album Our Version of Events | ||||
| Released | August 14, 2011 (UK) | |||
| Format | Digital download, 7" vinyl | |||
| Genre | Jungle, R&B, breakbeat, soul | |||
| Length | 4:14 | |||
| Label | Virgin Records | |||
| Writer(s) | Emeli Sandé, Naughty Boy, Craze and Hoax | |||
| Producer | Mike Spencer, Naughty Boy, Craze & Hoax | |||
| Emeli Sandé singles chronology | ||||
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"Heaven" is the debut single from Scottish recording artist Emeli Sandé. It was released by Virgin Records after she signed a record deal with the label after the success of single "Never Be Your Woman" which Sandé was featured as a guest artists. It will also be the first release from Sandé's first debut album, Our Version of Events, on August 14, 2011. The single was added to BBC Radio 1's playlist in June 2011. The song has also been crowned record of the week by the station’s daytime DJ, Fearne Cotton.[1] The single is written by Sandé, Naughty Boy, Craze and Hoax, with producer Mike Spencer.
The song gained all positive reviews from critics; Digital Spy said that the song is a mixture of pacey house beats, mellow strings and Ronson-esque horn sections.[2] 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."[3] 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, United Kingdom 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, the 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.[4]
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"Heaven is getting on all the playlists and I’m really happy. It is on the A-list at Radio 1, which is amazing. Heaven has also topped the Shazam chart, which is based on millions of daily requests for the names of songs played on the radio and in bars and clubs."
"Heaven" was confirmed to be the first released as Sandé's attempt as a solo artist and the first single from Our Version of Events. She signed a joint record deal between Virgin Records and EMI Records.[6] The deal came across after she featured on rapper, Wiley's single; "Never Be Your Woman" released by Virgin Records and the single had chart-success charting at number-eight on the UK Singles Chart. There was a lot of speculation of what single Sandé would release after newspapers confirmed that "Daddy" (produced by Naughty Boys) would be released as the first official single from the album, however she rubbished the rumours.[7] Sandé whom had several meeting with record companies to secure a deal to release music.[6] The song was wrote by Emeli Sandé herself, longtime collaborator Naughty Boy, and Mojam.
She was a medical student and studied at Glasgow University. She revealed that her education was the most important thing to her, as if her music career was to fail, she would have a career to drop back to. She revealed that her manager, Adrian Sykes waited since she was 16 to finally record a debut album.[6] She later announced that she would begin recording her debut album once her education was competed (stating this when she was about to study her fourth year at university).[6] After her fourth year, she passed her medical exams and she began recording her first album, with "Heaven" being picked as the lead single from the album. She announced that the single topped the Shazam charts for weeks, saying that people just want to know "what it is they are hearing, which is really exciting.[5]
In an interview with Digital Spy Sandé discussed the background of the song; "A lot of people when they first hear it immediately think early '90s, that kind of era, strings with the 'Funky Drummer' underneath them, quite epic sounding I guess. The song was written after a very long conversation I had with [producer] Naughty Boy. We got into a very deep conversation about religion and how to be good - what we all try to do in this day and age and how difficult it is. He said, 'I guess you just have to keep your heart clean' and that sparked the whole song. It was done really quickly and we knew it was a special one as soon as it was done."[8]
Digital Spy said that the song is a mixture of pacey house beats, mellow strings and Ronson-esque horn sections.[2] The song was also crowned "Record of the Week" by BBC Radio 1 playlist daytime DJ, Fearne Cotton.[1] This Must be Pop said the single has the vocals of Leona Lewis and Yasmin's beat. They went onto say; "The track starts quite pleasantly but gets better as it goes on and gradually gets more dramatic. It's a good example of a style that's currenly in vogue, but I don't see it doing any better than her competitors."[9] Robot Pigeon said that the song "stunned" them when heard the song. Saying; "drum'n'bass meets gospel (Friday nights meet Sunday mornings) pop giant. It's a spine tingling track that showcases an enormous vocal talent while at the same time ticking all the good boxes in modern urban music."[3] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating: "Judging by 'Heaven', it's a crime that she didn't put her solo career into action years ago. "Oh heaven, I wake with good intentions/ But the day it always lasts too long," she preaches over a familiar trip-hop beat with a seasoned vocal that a Robin S or Ultra Naté wouldn't cock a snook at. The result sounds like a lost club classic from the '90s, though by the time the euphoric, string-laden chorus kicks in, you'll be too busy with your fists in the air to notice."[10]
The song first appeared to be having chart success after thousands pre-ordering the single on iTunes. The song first debuted on the Irish Singles Chart at number forty. However, despite a low chart position in Ireland, "Heaven" debuted at number-two on the UK Singles Chart becoming Sandé's biggest chart succession to-date. The song also appeared at the top of the chart on the UK Dance Chart, as well as charting at number-three on the Scottish Singles Chart.
"It is amazing, I have had friends text or call me to say they have seen it."
A music video to accompany the release of "Heaven" was first released onto YouTube on 22 July 2011 at a total length of four minutes and sixteen seconds.[12] It was confirmed that Jake Nava directed the music video for the song.[11] Nava has previously worked with Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj. Sandé confirmed that the music video would be released on July 22, 2011. The music video was filmed in Bethnal Green, London, United Kingdom. The beginning of the music video shows Sandé sitting at a window in a house, the scene later changes a number of times to different people; the people whom are looking upset. As she starts singing the chorus, singing "oh heaven" it shows Sandé singing and a view of the clouds in the sky. Throughout the music video there are various shots of Sandé around different towns and places in London. There are often shots of people saying prayers, and carring a statue of Mary (mother of Jesus) and a Cross resembling heaven and God; there are also shots of Sandé standing and singing outside of a Cathedral.
She is one of dozens of acts playing the two-day Belladrum festival, which is sold out and has a capacity of 12,000.[5]
| Chart (2011) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] | 23 |
| Belgium (Ultratip Wallonia)[16] | 2 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[17] | 29 |
| Netherlands (Mega Single Top 100)[18] | 69 |
| Scotland (The Official Charts Company)[19] | 3 |
| UK Dance (The Official Charts Company)[20] | 1 |
| UK Singles (The Official Charts Company)[21] | 2 |
| Country | Release date | Format(s) |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | August 14, 2011[22] | Digital download |
| Ireland | August 12, 2011[23] | Digital download |
|title= specified when using {{Cite web}}". EMI. 2011-07-10. https://shop.emelisande.com/emelisande/Vinyl/Emeli-Sand-Heaven-Exclusive-7-inch-Single/10IZX02AU000?back=emelisande%2FVinyl%2F. Retrieved 2011-09-20.
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