Eyes Closed (Ed Sheeran song)

2023 single by Ed SheeranTemplate:SHORTDESC:2023 single by Ed Sheeran

 Songwriter(s) | * Ed Sheeran
* Max Martin
* Johan Schuster
 Producer(s) | * Max Martin
* Shellback
* Fred Again

"**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.
Sheeran announced the song alongside the album on 1 March 2023, setting up several pre-order opportunities. 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. In a TikTok posted on the same day, it was revealed that it will be the lead single of the album.

The song pays tribute to his former music entrepreneur and close friend Jamal Edwards, who died in February 2022 from a drug overdose. 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". He cited his feelings of "fear, depression and anxiety" as the inspiration behind the song.

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.

## 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". 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.

## 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.

## Live performances

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

## Charts

Template:Col 2### Weekly charts

Template:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chartTemplate:Single chart

Weekly chart performance for "Eyes Closed"
 Vietnam (Vietnam Hot 100) | 93

Template:Col 2

### Monthly charts

Monthly chart performance for "Eyes Closed"
 South Korea (Circle) | 168

Template:Col end

## Certifications

Template:Certification Table Top
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Entry
Template:Certification Table Bottom

## References

1. ↑ Jon Pareles (8 May 2023). Ed Sheeran Lets His Tears Flow on ‘-’. New York Times.
2. ↑ Roisin O'Connor (24 March 2023). Ed Sheeran review, Eyes Closed: Emotional, candid songwriting that hits home. The Independent.
3. ↑ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (1 March 2023). New Ed Sheeran album, Subtract, informed by 'fear, depression and anxiety'.
4. ↑ DeSantis, Rachel (9 March 2023). Ed Sheeran Shares Snippet of Emotional New Song 'Eyes Closed' Off Upcoming Album 'Subtract'.
5. ↑ Skinner, Tom (10 March 2023). Ed Sheeran previews upcoming '-' single 'Eyes Closed'.
6. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
7. ↑ Gonzalez, Rebekah (15 March 2023). Ed Sheeran Reveals Heartbreaking Inspiration Behind New Song 'Eyes Closed'.
8. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
9. ↑ Dear, Alice (21 March 2023). Ed Sheeran Dancing With My Eyes Closed: New song meaning, lyrics, where to listen.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Ed Sheeran's 'Eyes Closed' offers candid songwriting that hits home - review (en) (24 March 2023).
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>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 (en).
13. ↑ Ed Sheeran's 'Sadness' Is a 'Big Blue Monster' in Music Video for New Single 'Eyes Closed' (en).
14. ↑ Ed Sheeran Reflects on His Grief Journey in Moving New Song "Eyes Closed" (24 March 2023).
15. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
16. ↑ Crowley Charts: Top 100 Brasil – Reference Week: May 8, 2023 - May 12, 2023 (08/05/2023 - 12/05/2023) (pt-BR). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. *Note: In SEMANA REFERÊNCIA select 08/05/2023 - 12/05/2023. To access the full Top 100, click on VER TOP 100 COMPLETO and enter your name and email. Then enter the code you received by email*.
17. ↑ Crowley Charts: Top 10 Pop Internacional – Reference Week: May 8, 2023 - May 12, 2023 (08/05/2023 - 12/05/2023) (pt-BR). Crowley Broadcast Analysis.
18. ↑ Latvijas radio stacijās spēlētākās dziesmas TOP 18. nedēļa (lv). LAIPA (May 9, 2023).
19. ↑ 2023 13-os savaitės klausomiausi (Top 100) (lt). AGATA (31 March 2023).
20. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
21. ↑ OLiS – oficjalna lista airplay (pl). OLiS.
22. ↑ OLiS – oficjalna lista sprzedaży – single w streamie (pl). OLiS.
23. ↑ RIAS Top Charts Week 13 (24 - 30 Mar 2023). RIAS.
24. ↑ Digital Chart – Week 13 of 2023 (ko).
25. ↑ Top 5 | 8 – 15 Juni 2023 (nl). Nationale Top 40 Suriname (June 12, 2023).
26. ↑ Template:Cite magazine
27. ↑ Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart May 2023. TopHit.
28. ↑ Digital Chart – April 2023 (ko).
29. ↑ Eyes Closed - Single by Ed Sheeran. Apple Music (UK).
30. ↑ Eyes Closed Signed CD Single. Warner Music Official Store.
31. ↑ Template:Cite press release
32. ↑ Eyes Closed (Piano Version) - Single by Ed Sheeran. Apple Music (UK).
33. ↑ Hot/Modern/AC Future Releases.
34. ↑ Top 40/M Future Releases.