“Heaven Is Here” by Florence + The Machine
As its title implies, “Heaven Is Here” is a song which relies heavily on religious terminology. It has been concluded that what’s actually transpiring is the vocalist seducing the addressee in a romantic sort of way.
But it’s safe to say that her game, if you will, probably wouldn’t appeal to everyman. Indeed trying to kick it to a guy while utilizing what can be classified as occultic jargon may even, all things considered, scare some away.
So the implication would be that the addressee is a likeminded individual, someone who wouldn’t be intimidated for instance by Catholics being likened to “the devil” and the vocalist metaphorical alluding to getting to heaven via “an escape rope tied around (her) neck”. So let’s conclude by saying, most simply put, that this is an unconventional love song.
Facts about “Heaven Is Here”
On 7 March 2022, “Heaven Is Here” became the second single issued from Florence + the Machine’s album “Dance Fever”, which is the group’s fifth studio album. And this is a project which is brought to us by Polydor Records.
This song was written entirely by Florence Welch, who also had a hand in producing it. And the other producers are as follows:
- Jack Antonoff
- Kid Harpoon
- Dave Bayley
This was the first song Florence Welch wrote after quarantining due to the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Florence, this was actually the first song she wrote while in lockdown.
The direction of the music video to this track is credited to Autumn de Wilde.
Florence + the Machine is actually a musical act from London, but the aforementioned music video was shot in the Ukraine. However, it was done so in 2021, prior to the 2022 Russia -Ukraine war. So with the nation being embroiled in armed conflict as of the actual dropping of the clip, Florence lent her verbal support to a couple of the dancers featured therein who “are currently sheltering” in the Ukraine.
Florence draws upon Witchcraft influence when she mentions “Oh, bring your salt, bring your cigarette/Draw me a circle and I’ll protect”. The Magic Circle is often cast with the usage of salt, chalk, or flour. This ritual is used as a protective barrier between the witches and those that they summon.
The American Indians and Alaska Natives believe that traditional tobacco can be used for medicinal purposes, both inculcating cultural and spiritual importance. However, traditional tobacco differs from commercial tobacco (e.g. cigarettes) when addressing the subject of the spiritual realm. In this case, the possibility of the cigarette’s presence in was probably for one’s consumption. Welsh goes on to say that she will protect, as one can only assume to be, the summoner.
In Psalm 107:33 of the Bible reads “He turns rivers into deserts, springs of water into thirsty ground”. When claiming her power over her man, Welsh says “I went to the water, drank every drop/I’ll turn your sea to a desert”. She is simply saying that she has the capability to turn ‘sea to a desert’, thus it’s up to her wish to either feed or starve her man.
Heaven is believed to be secured by twelve gates, as Revelation 21:21 portrays each to be “made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.” Shiny things are attractive to her as she shows with “More Catholic taste than the Devil/All gilded and golden, yes, I’m your girl”, which could be why Welsh feels more drawn to Heaven than Hell.
The colour red has multiple symbolic meanings ranging from courage, anger, love, and war. When she dons on her “red dress” “with (her) gun in (her) hand)”, and saying that she always gets her man, it leaves us guessing if she is out to protect her man from enemies or kill him.
The conflicting thoughts going on in the song about how Welsh feels about her man is evident throughout. From protection in the start to a showcase of power over him as the song progresses, we can only deduce that she is trying to get the best of both worlds. Evidently, in an article by NME, Welsh shared her feelings about her gender and career. Being in her thirties and wanting to start a family, she realises it isn’t as simple as compared to her other male artists. The struggle to make these decisions is not easy, and it can leave one torn between choosing the options.
At the end of the song, she addresses how her self-written songs has been an escape from her daily pressures, bringing her to a place where there’s no more sorrow – Heaven.