Reviews/Analysis Of Emeli Sande's, Clown

The Music Video:


Emeli Sandé  2012

When reflecting/reviewing this music video , Sande made the following comment :

"It's about how I felt when I was trying to get signed, I was going for all these meetings and people were looking at me like 'What do we do with you'? It's about not allowing yourself to be judged by others or to be taken for an idiot. I feel the video reflects that"

This reflects Sandé's first experiences in the music industry and shows how hard it is to get signed by record labels.


Q Magazine

In an interview with Q Magazine, Sandé made the following comment :

"It's about trying to get into the industry, keeping faith in myself when I felt that many of the labels didn't have faith in me. It's about being called a clown or an idiot for wanting to chase after what you want, because people will always say you're rubbish and all the rest of it, but if you don't follow what you want to do then you won't achieve anything fulfilling."

Vigilantcitizen.com




This website reviewed Emeli Sandé’s video as the following :

“Clown” is simple, subtle and artistic but nevertheless conveys a very clear and disturbing message about the music industry and those that rule it.
Is “Clown” about Emeli Sandé “selling her soul” to the elite?
This video conveys a simplistic message about never trying to be something you aren't.
The video takes on the appearance of a 1920s B&W style silent film.

Image Analysis

Emeli taken in by two soldiers

Emeli is given a pen in order to sign a contract.

As a man steps up to Emeli, she gives a look saying “Why you touching me for?”

Emeli is given the paternal “look at me when I’m talking to you” move by a man in uniform.

She is also gets lectured and talked down as a menacing finger is being wagged at her.

By running his hand across his throat, this man is saying that Emeli’s career is over. Also, since these men are in uniforms and that Emeli is a prisoner, she will probably be killed … Maybe in “strange circumstances”, not unlike many other uncompromising artists.

The Clown

-About giving up

-About giving in to pressure

-Being excepted

-People force you into things

-You may not always feel accepted

This is what I hope to achieve in my music video

- Clear message

- Being accepted

-Showing changes in narrative