Sandé made her singing career debut in 2009 after appearing on the track she wrote for Chipmunk's first debut single, "Diamond Rings". The single charted at No. 6 on the UK Singles Charts, making it Chipmunk and Sandé's first ever Top 10 Hit. She later appeared on another single singing guest vocals, after collaborating with Wiley on his comeback single "Never Be Your Woman", the single charted at number-eight on the UK Singles Charts becoming Sandé's second consecutive Top 10 Single.
Sandé decided against using the name Adele Sandé, due to Adele's growing success, so used her middle name instead. She revealed: "I changed it as soon as Adele came out. I just thought, 'You've kind of taken the [name] now', so I went with my middle name. She was just getting bigger and bigger, so I thought I just really need it."
A former medical student, Sandé appeared as a guest vocalist on Professor Green's 2011 UK #1 single Read All About It and soon went on to achieve her own chart success with her first solo release Heaven, which debuted in the UK Singles Chart at #2. Her debut album Our Version of Events was released on 12th February 2012. The album includes the singles Next To Me, Daddy and My Kind Of Love.
Before branching out on her own Sandé had already had a taste of chart success having collaborated with rapper Chipmunk on his song Diamond Rings, and then with Wiley on Never Be Your Woman. She has also written for or collaborated with artists including Let Go, Let It Rain, Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole.
In a major feature in their Saturday Review paper, The Times declared Emeli Sandé "The Voice of 2012". The New York Times said “Ms. Sandé has a perspective-altering voice, clear and brassy and weapons-grade”. Fellow artists have also proclaimed their admiration, including Alicia Keys, “I just love her style and her flow – super raw.”, and Adele, "How incredible is she?".
Our Version of Events is the UK's biggest selling debut album of 2012.
Sandé appeared at the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. She performed Abide with Me
www.emelisande.com.
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Heaven
Emeli Sandé Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In those flashing lights?
I try to keep my heart beat
But I can't get it right
Will you recognize me
When I'm lying on my back?
Somethings gone inside me
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wake with good intentions
But the day, it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wake with good intentions
But the day, it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Will you recognize me
When I'm stealing from a car
You're not gonna like me
I'm nothing like before
Will you recognize me
When I lose another friend
Will you learn to leave me
Or give me one more try again
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wake with good intentions
But the day, it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wake with good intentions
But the day, it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
You say that you're away
I try but always break
'Cause the day always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
The lyrics to "Heaven" by Emeli Sandé convey a sense of desperation and a desire for redemption. The song is likely about someone who is struggling with addiction or other self-destructive behaviors and is asking for forgiveness and acceptance from those they love, particularly in the face of their mistakes. The lyrics suggest that the singer is struggling to keep their heart beating and that they feel as though something inside of them has been lost or broken.
The references to flashing lights and stealing from a car suggest that the singer is engaging in dangerous or illegal activities, perhaps as a means of coping with their inner turmoil or addiction. However, despite these actions, the singer is still seeking recognition and love from those around them. The repeated refrain of "Oh heaven, oh heaven" suggests a longing for redemption and a belief that forgiveness is possible, even in the face of their mistakes.
Line by Line Meaning
Will you recognize me
In those flashing lights?
As the singer enters into a world of fast-paced and exciting liveliness, they wonder if the person they once were would still be known in this unfamiliar and intense environment.
I try to keep my heart beat
But I can't get it right
Even though the singer wants to blend in and enjoy themselves, they are finding it difficult to keep up with the rhythm and energy of the environment.
When I'm lying on my back?
Somethings gone inside me
And I can't get it back
As the singer reaches a vulnerable state of being, they feel as if some part of them has been lost and can't be recovered.
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wake with good intentions
But the day, it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
The artist enters each day with aspirations to do well, but they are worn down and ultimately exhausted by the end of the day, causing them to lose themselves.
When I'm stealing from a car
You're not gonna like me
I'm nothing like before
As the artist finds themselves resorting to an immoral act, they anticipate the disapproval of their loved ones and acknowledge that they are a different person from before.
When I lose another friend
Will you learn to leave me
Or give me one more try again
As the singer continues making mistakes, they are afraid of losing the people close to them and wonder if anyone would ever extend grace towards them for one more chance.
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
Despite their frequent shortcomings, the singer still holds onto hope that they will be better and aims to start each day with good intentions.
You say that you're away
I try but always break
'Cause the day always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
The artist seems to be addressing a significant other or someone they care for, confessing that they struggle to uphold their commitments due to the exhaustion that arises from everyday life.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Michael Spencer, Shahid Khan, Hugo Chegwin, Harry Craze, Adele Emily Sande
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Elton
Will you recognize me
In those flashing lights?
I try to keep my heart beat
But I can't get it right
Will you recognize me
When I'm lying on my back?
Something's gone inside me
And I can't get it back
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
But the day it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
But the day it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
[x2]
Will you recognize me
When I'm stealing from the poor?
You're not gonna like me
I'm nothing like before.
Will you recognize me
When I lose another friend?
Will you learn to leave me?
Or give me one more try again
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
But the day it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
But the day it always lasts too long
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
Then I'm gone
[x2]
Oh heaven, oh heaven
I wait with good intentions
[x3]
You say that you're away
I try but always break
'Cause the day always lasts too long
Then I'm gone [x15]
Brandon Endo
She is one of the most gifted vocalists ever. It's a shame that not too many people in Hawaii know about this talented, entertaining, and beautiful singer. She's one my favs.
Barsxs Alicia
I cry myself to sleep with this song a few times a year 😔
Stephen Oneill
what a voice, if you don't feel good when you listen to this, your dead inside! I absolutely and completely love this track, beautiful beautiful beautiful.
Lina Baron
Pure perfection! Please export more of these British artists to America!
Sam Attar
every time I hear this version i burst in tears lol
Peter Frances
She is absolutely amazing. And her vocals...incredible
Christina Cover
These lyrics are very special to me. This song is AWESOME! Emeli is incredible!
ZLJJCloud
that 5th chord always hit my sweet spot
Alex Q.
I can feel she was living the moment.. the moment of success, gratitude and love 💘
MrsXurru
Beautiful and awesome voice!