A LITERARY ANALYSIS OF

THROUGH THE LENSES OF FORMALISM AND

HISTORICAL-BIOGRAPHICAL CRITICISM

FORMALISM APPROACH:

We can never deny that music is a universal language that allows people to connect with one
another. It transcends boundaries between two people because one can share their story with other
people even though they do not share the same language. Music also triggers your emotions and
memories. Every time we hear a certain song, it brings up past events; it can be sad, happy, or
painful. These things only prove that there is a significant relationship between music and literary text,
which both affect the audience's emotions and how they expound on the song.

“Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton is one of the melancholic pieces that makes the audience
associate their emotions with the song. In this regard, the song will be analyzed and tried to expound
on through a formalist approach to discover what elements, imagery, and symbolism are used. In this
way, the audience will fully understand why this song will always be relatable, whatever period may
come.

A.CHARACTERS
The main person in the song is Eric Clapton, who sings and writes the song. He's talking about his
feelings and experiences of losing someone close to him. There's also someone who has passed
away, but we don't know who exactly.

B.SETTINGS
The song doesn't say exactly where it takes place, but it's about life on Earth and the idea of heaven,
where people go after they die.

C.POINTOFVIEW
The song is like Eric Clapton talking directly to us about how he feels. He uses words like "I" and "my" to
show it's his own thoughts and emotions he's sharing.
 ANALYSIS
FORM
The song has a Verse-Verse-Bridge-Verse-Verse structure. It does
not have a chorus but includes a bridge before the third verse.

However, the song includes a refrain at the end of each verse

that discusses the song's main idea. In this case, the phrase or the
refrain at the end of each verse used was: Here in heaven

The rhyme scheme used in the first, second, and final verses is
AABBC, with an emphasis on the refrain "Here in heaven" at the
end. Aside from this, one more thing about this song is that its first
and last verses are the same, with the speaker emphasizing the
need to be strong and to remind himself that he doesn't belong
in heaven.

First and last verse:

(A) Would you know my name if I saw you in heaven?
(A) Would it be the same if I saw you in heaven?
(B) I must be strong and carry on
(B) 'Cause I know I don't belong
(C) Here in heaven

Second verse:
(A) Would you hold my hand if I saw you in heaven?
(A) Would you help me stand if I saw you in heaven?
(B) I'll find my way through night and day
(B) 'Cause I know I just can't stay
(C) Here in heaven

Furthermore, in the brief bridge following the second refrain, the

first, second, and third lines all end with the es/se rhyme family. It
is brief in comparison to the others, with only three lines and an
AAA scheme.

Bridge:
(A) Time can bring you down, time can bend your knees
(A) Time can break your heart, have you begging please
(A) Begging please
Finally, the verse after the bridge contains three lines that follow
the AAB rhyme scheme, highlighting the peace that exists
beyond the door. The final lyric of the verse concluded with the
song's title, "Tears in Heaven."

Third verse:
(A) Beyond the door, there's peace, I'm sure
(A) And I know there'll be no more
(B) Tears in heaven

IMAGERY
Visual Imagery: Visual imagery paints pictures in our minds using
words. For example, when the song talks about “Beyond the
door, there's peace, I'm sure" , it makes us imagine a calm place
on the other side. It's like creating a contemporary movie of a
serene place beyond a door. "Would you know my name if I saw
you in heaven?", This line makes you imagine seeing someone
you've lost in heaven, picturing how you'd recognize and
connect with them again.

Auditory Imagery: Auditory imagery describes sounds. In "Tears in

Heaven," even though it mainly focuses on visuals and emotions,
there are parts where sounds are subtly mentioned. As an
example,, the soft guitar strumming and Clapton's emotional
singing can make us feel like we're hearing these sounds, adding
to the song's mood.

Emotional Imagery: Emotional imagery triggers feelings in us.

Throughout the song, Clapton uses emotional descriptions to
show deep sadness, yearning, and hope. Lines like "Time can
bring you down, time can bend your knees" make us feel strong
emotions, showing how vulnerable and sorrowful the singer is.

Symbolic Imagery: Symbolic imagery goes beyond literal

meanings to convey deeper messages. For example, "Beyond
the door, there's peace, I'm sure" the image of a door symbolizes
the passage from life to death, representing moving from this
world to the next. "I must be strong and carry on" The idea of
carrying on symbolizes resilience and strength in tough times,
showing how people cope with loss and challenges.
 FIGURES OF SPEECH&SYMBOLISM
Clapton’s song “Tears in Heaven” shows despair and sadness
through poetic devices. It is about grief and pain that he
experienced. Throughout the song, Clapton employs a variety of
musical techniques to express his sorrow. Although all of these
tactics help to convey his despair, the most effective device in
Clapton's song is his heartbreaking lyrics. The title itself highlights
the enduring nature of loss that continues beyond death.

Symbolism:
BEYOND THE DOOR
It might be interpreted as a symbol of the afterlife or a place of
serenity and tranquility. It implies that there is a realm beyond
our physical existence where we might seek solace.

Beyond the door

There's peace, I'm sure
And I know there'll be no more
Tears in heaven
Repetition:
TIME
Throughout the song we see that the word “Time” is repeating.
This represents that passing of time and the difficulty of healing
takes time. It expresses Clapton's recognition that time alone
may not completely cure emotional wounds.

Time can bring you down

Time can bend your knees
Time can break your heart
Have you begging please
Begging please
Personification:
I MUST BE STRONG AND CARRY ON
The trait of being strong and persevering is personified, stating a
sense of responsibility and resilience. It shows Clapton's
determination to deal with the loss and keep living despite the
pain he endured. To continue living even though it is hard.

I must be strong
And carry on
'Cause I know I don't belong
Here in heaven
Metaphor:
WOULD YOU BE THE SAME? IF I SAW YOU IN HEAVEN
This statement draws on the concept of seeing a loved one in
heaven and wonders if the experience would be the same as it
was on Earth. It captures the confusion and wonder surrounding
the idea of the afterlife. If they will still be able to recognize
someone in the afterlife.

Would you know my name?

If I saw you in heaven
Would you be the same?
If I saw you in heaven

MUSICALCOMPOSITION
To delve deeper into the musical composition of Eric Clapton's
"Tears in Heaven," it's important to understand both its structural
elements and the emotional context that informs its musical
choices.

Key and Modulation

"Tears in Heaven" is primarily set in the key of A major, which
provides a sonic landscape that is both bright and reflective. The
choice of key supports the song's emotional duality—its sense of
hope and deep sorrow. The song does not feature dramatic key
changes (modulations) which is common in pop and rock music
to escalate emotional intensity; instead, it maintains its emotional
depth through other means, such as its lyrical content and
Clapton's expressive performance.

Chord Progressions and Harmony

The chord progressions in "Tears in Heaven" are relatively simple
yet effective in conveying emotion. The verse progression
elegantly moves through chords within the A major scale,
including the primary chords (I, IV, V) and several secondary
chords that add color and emotional depth. This harmonic
simplicity allows the listener to focus on the melody and lyrics.
The chorus ("Would it be the same...") introduces a slight
variation in the chord progression, creating a lift that emphasizes
the song's poignant questioning. The harmonic movement is
carefully crafted to evoke a sense of longing and
contemplation.
 Melody
The melody of "Tears in Heaven" is notable for its singable, lyrical
quality. It stays within a relatively narrow range, making it
accessible and emotionally direct. Clapton delivers the melody
with a gentle, conversational style, which enhances the song's
intimate feel. The melody's simplicity ensures that the focus
remains on the emotional weight of the lyrics.

Rhythm and Tempo

The song's tempo is moderate, with a gentle, consistent rhythm
that supports its reflective nature. The rhythm section is
understated, with the acoustic guitar providing the main
rhythmic drive. The use of fingerstyle guitar technique allows
Clapton to blend melody, harmony, and rhythm seamlessly,
creating a rich acoustic texture that doesn't overpower the
song's delicate emotional balance.

Instrumentation and Arrangement

Instrumentation in "Tears in Heaven" is predominantly acoustic,
centering around Clapton's fingerstyle guitar playing. The
acoustic guitar lays the foundation for the song, with additional
instruments like keyboard and soft percussion filling out the
arrangement without detracting from the song's intimate feel.
The use of minimal electric instruments ensures that the acoustic
qualities shine, aligning with the song's introspective and
sorrowful themes.

Emotional Context
The emotional depth of "Tears in Heaven" cannot be overstated.
Written after the tragic death of Clapton's four-year-old son,
Conor, the song serves as a poignant expression of Clapton's
grief and his reflections on loss, love, and the afterlife. The
musical elements—melody, harmony, rhythm—work in concert
to convey a sense of profound loss and the search for peace.
The song's composition is a testament to the power of music to
express deep, personal emotions in a universally relatable way.

SYNTHESIS
Losing loved ones is one of the hardest points in one's life. It gives a poignant and bizarre feeling, a
realization that someone cannot be with your life anymore because their journey in our world is
already done. “Tears in Heaven” by Eric Clapton shows and proves that its structure, symbolism,
devices, and musical composition blend well to depict the raw emotion of grief and longing for
someone who is not with us. However, despite expressing deep grief, the song also reminds the
audience to not view their memory of their loved one as a sad memory but instead be thankful
and at peace that they are now finding comfort and peace after death.