Eyes Closed (Ed Sheeran song)

"Eyes Closed" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 24 March 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records as the lead single from his fifth studio album, − ("Subtract"). The song was written by Sheeran, Max Martin, Shellback, and Fred Again and produced by Aaron Dessner, Martin, Shellback, and Fred. "Eyes Closed" entered at the top of the UK Singles Chart.

"Eyes Closed"
Single by Ed Sheeran
from the album −
Released24 March 2023
GenreFolk pop
Length3:14
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Ed Sheeran singles chronology
"F64"
(2023)		 "Eyes Closed"
(2023)		 "Boat"
(2023)
Music video
"Eyes Closed" on YouTube

Background and promotion

"Eyes Closed" started in 2018 as a collaboration between Sheeran and pop producer Max Martin. Originally a love song, it was reworked in 2022 by Sheeran and Dessner, with a different instrumentation and lyrics detailing the loss of a dear friend.[1][2] Sheeran announced the song alongside the album on 1 March 2023, setting up several pre-order opportunities.[3] On 9 March, he shared a preview of the song on his socials, performing parts of the song on an acoustic guitar and a piano.[4] In a TikTok posted on the same day, it was revealed that it will be the lead single of the album.[5]

The song pays tribute to his former music entrepreneur and close friend Jamal Edwards, who died in February 2022 from a drug overdose.[6] Talking about the loss, Sheeran revealed, "Blue was Jamal's colour, but now is all I feel. And I guess music helps heal, so I'm dancing with my eyes closed to try get through it".[7] He cited his feelings of "fear, depression and anxiety" as the inspiration behind the song.[8]

The song was prominently featured in the first trailer of Sheeran's upcoming Disney+ documentary, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All, that will explore details of his private life.[9]

Composition and lyrics

In the song, Sheeran's voice has a rich timbre and his falsetto softens when he sings the refrain on the chorus, "I keep dancing with my eyes closed".[10] Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis noted that the song featured percussive guitar playing and that the chorus was "insistent" and "radio friendly".[11] Originally written as a breakup song, it took on new meaning after Sheeran suffered personal losses. The lyrics feel "more personal" and "explicitly linked to a very specific event", that of the death of Jamal Edwards.[11][10]

Critical reception

Roisin O'Connor of The Independent, rated the song four stars and wrote that "much of the emotional heft" of the song was in Sheeran's delivery.[10] In a mixed review, The Guardian's Alexis Petridis gave the song three stars out of five, writing that "you already know if you’ll love it, loathe it with every fiber of your being" or "simply marvel at its effectiveness without being moved."[11]

Music video

The Harvey-inspired music video for "Eyes Closed" was released alongside the single. Directed by Mia Barnes, the video depicts Sheeran being followed by a big blue monster that only he can see during his night out, representing his grief. He soon finds other people with their own monsters, before finally facing his own and singing the song's final line, causing it to disappear.[12][13][14]

Live performances

"Eyes Closed" was performed on 1 April 2023 on The Jonathan Ross Show and on 7 May on American Idol.

Charts

Certifications
Certifications for "Eyes Closed"
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[59] Silver 200,000double-dagger

double-dagger Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history
Release history and formats for "Eyes Closed"
Region Date Format(s) Version Label Ref.
Various 24 March 2023
Original
[60]
United Kingdom CD single [61]
Italy Radio airplay Warner [62]
Various 27 March 2023
  • Digital download
  • streaming
 Piano
  • Asylum
  • Atlantic
  • Warner
 [63]
United States Hot adult contemporary radio Original Atlantic [64]
28 March 2023 Contemporary hit radio [65]

References
  1. Jon Pareles (8 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran Lets His Tears Flow on '-'". New York Times. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  2. Roisin O'Connor (24 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran review, Eyes Closed: Emotional, candid songwriting that hits home". The Independent. Retrieved 9 May 2023.
  3. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (1 March 2023). "New Ed Sheeran album, Subtract, informed by 'fear, depression and anxiety'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  4. DeSantis, Rachel (9 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Shares Snippet of Emotional New Song 'Eyes Closed' Off Upcoming Album 'Subtract'". People. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  5. Skinner, Tom (10 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran previews upcoming '-' single 'Eyes Closed'". NME. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  6. Aniftos, Rania (15 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Says 'Eyes Closed' Is About 'Losing Someone,' Remembers Late Friend Jamal Edwards". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  7. Gonzalez, Rebekah (15 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Reveals Heartbreaking Inspiration Behind New Song 'Eyes Closed'". IHeart. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  8. Bowenbank, Starr (9 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Gives Fans a Sneak Peek at New Song 'Eyes Closed': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  9. Dear, Alice (21 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Dancing With My Eyes Closed: New song meaning, lyrics, where to listen". Heart. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  10. "Ed Sheeran's 'Eyes Closed' offers candid songwriting that hits home - review". The Independent. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  11. Petridis, Alexis (24 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran: Eyes Closed review – the most unradical of reinventions". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. Singh, Surej (24 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran struggles with love and loss in 'Eyes Closed' music video". NME. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
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