Eyes Closed (Ed Sheeran song)

"Eyes Closed" is a song by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 24 March 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records as the lead single from his upcoming sixth studio album, − ("Subtract"). "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)
Music video
"Eyes Closed" on YouTube

Background and promotion

Sheeran announced the song alongside the album on 1 March 2023, setting up several pre-order opportunities.[1] 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.[2] In a TikTok posted on the same day, it was revealed that it will be the lead single of the album.[3] The song supposedly pays tribute to his former music entrepreneur and close friend Jamal Edwards, who died in February 2022 from a drug overdose.[4] 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".[5] He cited his feelings of "fear, depression and anxiety" as the inspiration behind the song.[6]

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.[7]

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".[8] Writing for The Guardian, Alexis Petridis noted that the song featured percussive guitar playing and that the chorus was "insistent" and "radio friendly".[9] 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.[9][8]

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.[8] In a mixed review, Petridis gave the songs 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."[9]

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.[10][11][12]

Live performances

"Eyes Closed" was performed on 1 April 2023 on The Jonathan Ross Show.

Charts
Chart performance for "Eyes Closed"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[13] 6
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[14] 7
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[15] 2
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[16] 21
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[17] 9
Canada AC (Billboard)[18] 7
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[19] 12
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[20] 9
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[21] 80
Denmark (Tracklisten)[22] 8
Finland (Suomen virallinen lista)[23] 31
France (SNEP)[24] 103
Germany (Official German Charts)[25] 13
Global 200 (Billboard)[26] 16
Hungary (Single Top 40)[27] 16
Ireland (IRMA)[28] 4
Italy (FIMI)[29] 66
Japan (Japan Hot 100)[30] 92
Lithuania (AGATA)[31] 51
Luxembourg (Billboard)[32] 22
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[33] 15
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[34] 27
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[35] 11
Norway (VG-lista)[36] 11
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[37] 16
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[38] 60
Portugal (AFP)[39] 89
Singapore (RIAS)[40] 21
Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[41] 34
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[42] 41
South Korea (Circle)[43] 139
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[44] 10
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[45] 8
UK Singles (OCC)[46] 1
US Billboard Hot 100[47] 26
US Adult Contemporary (Billboard)[48] 16
US Adult Top 40 (Billboard)[49] 11
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[50] 18
Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100)[51] 93

Release history
Release history and formats for "Eyes Closed"
Region Date Format(s) Label Ref.
Various 24 March 2023
[52]
United Kingdom CD single [53]
Italy Radio airplay Warner [54]
United States 27 March 2023 Hot adult contemporary radio Atlantic [55]
28 March 2023 Contemporary hit radio [56]

References
  1. Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (1 March 2023). "New Ed Sheeran album, Subtract, informed by 'fear, depression and anxiety'". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  2. DeSantis, Rachel (9 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Shares Snippet of Emotional New Song 'Eyes Closed' Off Upcoming Album 'Subtract'". People. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  3. Skinner, Tom (10 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran previews upcoming '-' single 'Eyes Closed'". NME. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  4. Aniftos, Rania (15 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Says 'Eyes Closed' Is About 'Losing Someone,' Remembers Late Friend Jamal Edwards". Billboard. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  5. Gonzalez, Rebekah (15 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Reveals Heartbreaking Inspiration Behind New Song 'Eyes Closed'". IHeart. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  6. 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.
  7. Dear, Alice (21 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran Dancing With My Eyes Closed: New song meaning, lyrics, where to listen". Heart. Retrieved 22 March 2023.
  8. "Ed Sheeran's 'Eyes Closed' offers candid songwriting that hits home - review". The Independent. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  9. Petridis, Alexis (24 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran: Eyes Closed review – the most unradical of reinventions". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  10. Singh, Surej (24 March 2023). "Ed Sheeran struggles with love and loss in 'Eyes Closed' music video". NME. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  11. "Ed Sheeran's 'Sadness' Is a 'Big Blue Monster' in Music Video for New Single 'Eyes Closed'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  12. "Ed Sheeran Reflects on His Grief Journey in Moving New Song "Eyes Closed"". E! Online. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  13. "ARIA Top 50 Singles Chart". Australian Recording Industry Association. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  14. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  15. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  16. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  17. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  18. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  19. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  20. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  21. "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 202313 into search. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  22. "Track Top-40 Uge 13, 2023". Hitlisten. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  23. "Ed Sheeran: Eyes Closed" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  24. "Top Singles (Week 13, 2023)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  25. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  26. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  27. "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  28. "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  29. "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 13" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  30. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Japan Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  31. "2023 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. 31 March 2023. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  32. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Luxembourg Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  33. "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 14, 2023" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  34. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  35. "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  36. "Singel 2023 uke 13". VG-lista. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  37. "OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay" (Select week 25.03.2023–31.03.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 3 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  38. "OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie" (Select week 24.03.2023–30.03.2023.) (in Polish). OLiS. Retrieved 6 April 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  39. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  40. "RIAS Top Charts Week 13 (24 - 30 Mar 2023)". RIAS. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  41. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 202313 into search. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  42. "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202313 into search. Retrieved 3 April 2023.
  43. "Digital Chart – Week 13 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  44. "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 13". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  45. "Ed Sheeran – Eyes Closed". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
  46. "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  47. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 4 April 2023.
  48. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  49. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  50. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved 8 April 2023.
  51. "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Billboard Vietnam Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  52. "Eyes Closed". Spotify. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  53. "Eyes Closed Signed CD Single". Warner Music Official Store. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 24 March 2023.
  54. Mompellio, Gabriel. "ED SHEERAN "Eyes Closed" | (Radio Date: 24/03/2023)" (Press release) (in Italian). Airplay Control. Archived from the original on 24 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  55. "Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  56. "Top 40/M Future Releases". All Access. Archived from the original on 22 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
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