Eyes Closed (Ed Sheeran song)
{{short description|2023 single by Ed Sheeran}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox song
| name = Eyes Closed
| type = single
| cover = Ed Sheeran - Eyes Closed.png
| alt =
| artist = Ed Sheeran
| album = −
| released = 24 March 2023
| genre = Folk pop
| length = 3:14
| label =
| writer =
- Ed Sheeran
- Max Martin
- Johan Schuster
- Fred Gibson
| producer =
- Max Martin
- Shellback
- Fred Again
- Aaron Dessner
| prev_title = F64
| prev_year = 2023
| next_title = Boat
| next_year = 2023
| misc = {{External music video|{{YouTube|u6wOyMUs74I|"Eyes Closed"}}|type=single}}
}}
"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, −. The song was produced by Max Martin, Shellback, Fred Again,
and Aaron Dessner, and the former three producers wrote it with Sheeran. "Eyes Closed" debuted and peaked at the top of the UK Singles Chart.
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/08/arts/music/ed-sheeran-subtract-review.html|title=Ed Sheeran Lets His Tears Flow on '-'|author=Jon Pareles|work=New York Times|access-date=9 May 2023|date=8 May 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/ed-sheeran-review-eyes-closed-b2307090.html|title=Ed Sheeran review, Eyes Closed: Emotional, candid songwriting that hits home
|author=Roisin O'Connor|work=The Independent|access-date=9 May 2023|date=24 March 2023}}
Sheeran announced the song alongside the album on 1 March 2023, setting up several pre-order opportunities.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/01/new-ed-sheeran-album-subtract-informed-by-fear-depression-and-anxiety|title=New Ed Sheeran album, Subtract, informed by 'fear, depression and anxiety'|last=Beaumont-Thomas|first=Ben|website=The Guardian|date=1 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/music/ed-sheeran-shares-snippet-of-emotional-new-song-eyes-closed-off-upcoming-album-subtract/|title=Ed Sheeran Shares Snippet of Emotional New Song 'Eyes Closed' Off Upcoming Album 'Subtract'|last=DeSantis|first=Rachel|website=People|date=9 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}} In a TikTok posted on the same day, it was revealed that it will be the lead single of the album.{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/ed-sheeran-previews-upcoming-single-eyes-closed-listen-3411262|title=Ed Sheeran previews upcoming '-' single 'Eyes Closed'|last=Skinner|first=Tom|website=NME|date=10 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}}
The song pays tribute to his former music entrepreneur and close friend Jamal Edwards, who died in February 2022 from a drug overdose.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ed-sheeran-eyes-closed-song-inspiration-jamal-edwards-1235286894/|title=Ed Sheeran Says 'Eyes Closed' Is About 'Losing Someone,' Remembers Late Friend Jamal Edwards|last=Aniftos|first=Rania|magazine=Billboard|date=15 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}} He had been exchanging text messages with Edwards about an upcoming music video, while having dinner with Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn, and then he learned the next day that his best friend was gone.{{cite magazine |last1=Hiatt |first1=Brian |title=Ed Sheeran Confesses: Tears, Trauma, and Those Bad Habits |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/ed-sheeran-new-album-subtract-tour-cover-story-interview-1234694319/ |access-date=20 September 2023 |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=21 March 2023}} 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".{{cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-03-15-ed-sheeran-reveals-heartbreaking-inspiration-behind-new-song-eyes-closed/|title=Ed Sheeran Reveals Heartbreaking Inspiration Behind New Song 'Eyes Closed'|last=Gonzalez|first=Rebekah|website=IHeart|date=15 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}} Edwards' funeral was the first one Sheeran had ever attended in which the deceased was not cremated, which means he remembers the moment he placed dirt on his friend's grave.{{cite news |last1=Larson |first1=Lauren |title=Ed Sheeran Knows the One Song You'll Remember Him For |url=https://www.gq.com/story/ed-sheeran-hype |access-date=8 October 2023 |work=GQ |date=4 October 2023}} In addition to the death of Edwards, his wife Cherry was diagnosed that same month with a tumour that could not be operated on until after she had delivered their second child in June, and then his friend Shane Warne died in early March. He has cited his feelings of "fear, depression and anxiety" as the inspiration behind the song.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ed-sheeran-new-single-eyes-closed-release-date-1235282707/|title=Ed Sheeran Gives Fans a Sneak Peek at New Song 'Eyes Closed': Here's When It Arrives|last=Bowenbank|first=Starr|magazine=Billboard|date=9 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}}
The song was prominently featured in the first trailer of Sheeran's Disney+ documentary, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All, which explores details of his private life.{{cite web|url=https://www.heart.co.uk/showbiz/celebrities/ed-sheeran-dancing-with-my-eyes-closed-song-meaning-lyrics-listen/|title=Ed Sheeran Dancing With My Eyes Closed: New song meaning, lyrics, where to listen|last=Dear|first=Alice|website=Heart|date=21 March 2023|access-date=22 March 2023}}
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". Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis noted that the song featured percussive guitar playing and that the chorus was "insistent" and "radio friendly".{{Cite news |last=Petridis |first=Alexis |date=24 March 2023 |title=Ed Sheeran: Eyes Closed review – the most unradical of reinventions |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/mar/24/ed-sheeran-eyes-closed-review-the-most-unradical-of-reinventions |access-date=27 March 2023 |issn=0261-3077}} 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.{{Cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=Ed Sheeran's 'Eyes Closed' offers candid songwriting that hits home - review |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/ed-sheeran-review-eyes-closed-b2307090.html |access-date=27 March 2023 |website=The Independent |language=en}}
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. 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."
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.{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Surej |date=24 March 2023 |title=Ed Sheeran struggles with love and loss in 'Eyes Closed' music video |url=https://www.nme.com/en_asia/news/music/ed-sheeran-struggles-with-love-and-loss-in-eyes-closed-music-video-3419670 |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=NME |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Ed Sheeran's 'Sadness' Is a 'Big Blue Monster' in Music Video for New Single 'Eyes Closed' |url=https://people.com/music/ed-sheeran-eyes-closed-single-music-video-sadness-is-big-blue-monster/ |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=24 March 2023 |title=Ed Sheeran Reflects on His Grief Journey in Moving New Song "Eyes Closed" |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1369184/ed-sheeran-reflects-on-his-grief-journey-in-moving-new-song-eyes-closed |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=E! Online}}
Live performances
"Eyes Closed" was performed on 1 April 2023 on The Jonathan Ross Show and on 7 May on American Idol.{{Cite magazine |last=Brandle |first=Lars |date=8 May 2023 |title=Ed Sheeran and Alanis Morissette Show Top 8 'Idol' Contestants How It's Done |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/tv-film/ed-sheeran-alanis-morissette-show-top-8-idol-1235323861/ |access-date=22 September 2023 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}
Accolades
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="border:none; margin:0;"
|+Awards and nominations for "Eyes Closed" ! scope="col"| Organization ! scope="col"| Year ! scope="col"| Category ! scope="col"| Result ! class="unsortable" scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}} |
| rowspan="2" scope="row"| MTV Video Music Awards
| rowspan="2"| 2023 | Best Pop | {{nom}} |
|---|
| Best Cinematography
| {{nom}} |
| scope="row"| Global Awards
| 2024 | Best Song | {{nom}} | {{Cite web |date=4 March 2024 |title=The Global Awards 2024: Full list of nominees & how to vote |url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/news/the-global-awards-2024-nominees-vote/ |access-date=5 March 2024 |website=Classic FM}} |
Charts
{{col-begin}}
{{col 2}}
=Weekly charts=
{{col 2}}
=Monthly charts=
=Year-end charts=
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center"
|+ 2024 year-end chart performance for "Eyes Closed" ! scope="col"| Chart (2024) ! scope="col"| Position |
| scope="row"| Estonia Airplay (TopHit){{cite web|url=https://tophit.com/chart/top/radio/hits/ee/annual/2024|title=Top Radio Hits Estonia Annual Chart: 2024|publisher=TopHit|access-date=10 February 2025}}
| 149 |
|---|
| scope="row"| US Adult Contemporary (Billboard){{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/2024/adult-contemporary-songs/|title=Adult Contemporary Songs – Year-End 2024|magazine=Billboard|access-date=15 December 2024}}
| 10 |
{{col-end}}
Certifications
{{Certification Table Top|caption=Certifications for "Eyes Closed"}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|id=2023-07-24|access-date=21 July 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Austria|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=19 March 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=single|title=Eyes Closed|artist=Ed Sheeran|award=Platinum|number=2|relyear=2023|certyear=2025|access-date=7 March 2025}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Denmark|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|id=14082|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=3 July 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=28 February 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Italy|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|id=13207|access-date=22 September 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|source=radioscope|access-date=28 December 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Poland|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2024|access-date=17 July 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Gold|type=single|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|id=ed-sheeran-eyes-closed|access-date=12 November 2023}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|artist=Ed Sheeran|title=Eyes Closed|award=Platinum|type=single|relyear=2023|relmonth=3|certyear=2024|access-date=20 June 2024}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=single|title=Eyes Closed|artist=Ed Sheeran|award=Platinum|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|id=18960-2403-1|access-date=8 December 2023}}
{{Certification Table Separator|title=Streaming}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Sweden|type=single|artist=Ed Sheeran|award=Platinum|relyear=2023|certyear=2023|source=artist|access-date=20 October 2023}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true|streaming=true|noshipments=true|streamsonly=true}}
Release history
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|+ Release history and formats for "Eyes Closed" ! scope="col"| Region ! scope="col"| Date ! scope="col"| Format(s) ! scope="col"| Version ! scope="col"| Label ! scope="col"| {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |
| scope="row"| Various
| rowspan="3"| 24 March 2023 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | rowspan="3"| Original | rowspan="2"| {{hlist|Asylum|Atlantic|Warner}} | align="center"| {{Cite web |title=Eyes Closed - Single by Ed Sheeran |url=https://music.apple.com/gb/album/eyes-closed-single/1676979434 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327103038/https://music.apple.com/gb/album/eyes-closed-single/1676979434 |archive-date=27 March 2023 |access-date=24 March 2023 |publisher=Apple Music (UK)}} |
|---|
| scope="row"| United Kingdom |
| scope="row"| Italy
| Warner |
| scope="row"| Various
| rowspan="2"| 27 March 2023 | {{hlist|Digital download|streaming}} | Piano | {{hlist|Asylum|Atlantic|Warner}} |
| rowspan="2" scope="row"| United States
| Hot adult contemporary radio | rowspan="2"| Original | rowspan="4"| Atlantic |
| 28 March 2023 |
| scope="row"| Canada
| 19 April 2023 | CD single | Piano | align="center"| |
| scope="row"| Various
| 19 May 2023 | Remix | Lost Frequencies remix | align="center"| |
References
{{reflist}}
{{Ed Sheeran songs}}
Category:Asylum Records singles
Category:Atlantic Records singles
Category:Number-one singles in Latvia
Category:UK singles chart number-one singles
Category:Songs written by Ed Sheeran
Category:Songs written by Max Martin
Category:Songs written by Shellback (record producer)
Category:Songs written by Fred Again
Category:Song recordings produced by Max Martin
Category:Song recordings produced by Shellback (record producer)