Ed Sheeran, the British singer-songwriter known for hits like “Shape of You” and “Perfect,” has released a new romantic work single titled “Shivers.” The upbeat, pop-soul track captures the thrilling feelings of new love and infatuation. “Shivers” gives fans a glimpse into Sheeran’s personal life, as the lyrics directly reference his wife, Cherry Seaborn. But the song also has a universal appeal, as Sheeran’s smooth vocals and skilled songwriting break down the emotions that come with falling hard for someone.
“Shivers” is the first single off Sheeran’s upcoming fifth studio album “=” (pronounced Equals), set for release on October 29, 2021. The track dropped on September 10, along with a music video showing Sheeran and his wife depicted as animated characters. The song has already broken records, shooting to #1 on charts around the world. Critics and fans alike are praising “Shivers” for its infectious joy and clever lyrics about the intoxicating feelings of new love.
Meaning and Inspiration Behind “Shivers”
Ed Sheeran has said “Shivers” was written as a tribute to his wife, Cherry Seaborn, whom he married in January 2019. The two first met as classmates at Thomas Mills High School in Framlingham, England, when Sheeran had a crush on Seaborn. They reconnected years later and started dating in 2015. The song reflects Sheeran’s excitement and nervousness as his friendship with Seaborn developed into romance.
Several lyrics directly reference Seaborn and Sheeran’s real-life love story:
“Took me back to when you were in school, and all I thought about was you.”
“You are the only one who makes it feel like home.”
Sheeran sings about having butterflies whenever he sees or touches Seaborn. He wants to stay up all night with her, take things slowly, and make her feel “like heaven.” The song perfectly encapsulates the intoxicating rush of emotions at the start of a new relationship.
While inspired by Sheeran’s personal life, “Shivers” is a universal song about the joy of finding someone who “makes it feel like home.” The lyrics discuss familiar feelings anyone with a new crush can relate to. Sheeran expertly captures the small, special moments that make one fall head over heels, like catching the other person’s eye across the room or getting tingles from an unexpected touch of the hand.
Musical Style of “Shivers”
“Shivers” continues Sheeran’s signature sound – an infectious blend of pop, folk, rock, and R&B anchored by his smoothies tenor voice and acoustic guitar. The upbeat song combines a driving bassline, handclaps, piano riffs, snapping percussion, and bursts of brass. The chorus breaks into an impassioned falsetto as Sheeran sings about getting lost in his lover’s eyes.
The track pulls inspiration from classic soul love songs, with its groovy beat and cascading strings. Music critics have compared “Shivers” to upbeat, lovestruck hits like Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love” and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Though different from his past hits, the song encompasses Sheeran’s versatility and brings a fresh, funky sound while remaining emotional and romantic at its core.
Bringing “Shivers” to Life
Sheeran co-wrote “Shivers” with longtime collaborators Johnny McDaid and Foy Vance, with whom he also co-produced the track. His team encouraged him to write an upbeat “pure pop” song to contrast with the more melancholy singles he’s recently put out.
To bring the track to life, Sheeran layered various instrumentation and background vocals using his loop pedal. He sings, beatboxes, plays acoustic guitar, bass, piano, and more on the recording. Horns and strings were later added in the studio. Sheeran also crafted unique vocal textures, like the stuttering “sh-sh-shivers” motif.
Sheeran said he faced challenges learning to play the trumpet, an instrument that took six months of intense practice to record for the track. However, he pushed himself to gain new skills to perfectly execute his vision for the song.
The music video for “Shivers” brings the romantic lyrics to life through animation. Sheeran and Seaborn are depicted as quirky cartoon characters, dancing together and showing affection. Animated Ed walks underwater in diving gear to reach his love. Floating lilypads in the shape of hearts, butterflies, and playful fish surround the couple, visually representing the song’s ideas of being “love drunk” and getting butterflies. The vibrant visuals capture the whimsy and rush of new love.
Reception: Reviews, Records & Awards
“Shivers” has been a huge hit globally, breaking records and earning Sheeran praise from critics and colleagues alike.
- Debuted at #1 in the UK, becoming Sheeran’s 11th number-one single (tying an all-time chart record)
- Debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in its first week in the US
- Broke the Spotify record for most streams in a single day (12.2 million on September 13)
- Earned over 100 million global streams in its first 11 days of release
- Received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year
| Week | Streams |
|---|---|
| 1 | 80 million |
| 2 | 100 million |
| 3 | 120 million |
Critics have called the song:
- “An upbeat, playful love song brimming with charm” (Variety)
- “A feelgood classic packed with vivid romance” (NME)
- “His most instantly lovable single to date” (The Line of Best Fit)
Elton John, Sheeran’s mentor, said: “I love Ed Sheeran’s new single ‘Shivers.’ It’s gonna be a smash!”
Taylor Swift, Sheeran’s friend and collaborator, tweeted: “AGH CONGRATS BUDDY!! This song is magic, just like you.”
The widespread success of “Shivers” shows Sheeran has another hit on his hands with his familiar knack for love songs full of sweet details.
Themes and Meaning Behind the Lyrics
Sheeran’s lyrics on “Shivers” vividly capture the emotions of a new crush or the honeymoon phase of a relationship. He compares these feelings to:
- Nervous butterflies in your stomach overwhelm you whenever you see your love
- A rollercoaster ride with ups and downs you want to repeat
- Shaking from excitement whenever you touch
- Getting intoxicated and losing control of this person
- A saccharine sweetness whenever they’re near
Sheeran sings about being head over heels in love, where simply holding hands or catching eyes with his partner across the room sends a visceral thrill through his body. He gets a dopamine rush from their presence, like being on drugs.
The song expresses an all-consuming infatuation where you can’t stop thinking about the object of your affection. Sheeran sings, “All I know is I can’t stop thinking of you.” In the chorus, he proclaims his lover is “the only one who makes it feel like home” – they have become his entire world.
While using hyperbolic metaphors, Sheeran captures specific moments that reflect the early stages of romance. He sings about staying up talking all night when you first start dating, reliving your shared past, showing off for your crush, flirting across the room at a party, and hooking up in a car.
Beyond Sheeran’s personal experiences, these lyrics present a universal portrait of love and what it means to be enamored with someone. Overall, the song explores human desires for connection, romance, and finding a sense of home in a partner.
Significance of “Shivers” in Sheeran’s Career
“Shivers” marks an upbeat, danceable departure from Sheeran’s previous smashes. Many of his biggest ballads, like “Thinking Out Loud” and “Perfect,” are emotional, serious, aromantic slow-burners. But this new single captures the giddy excitement of fresh infatuation through its energetic beat and lyrics.
The song showcases Sheeran’s musical versatility and growth. He continues to expand the boundaries of his signature sound on “Shivers,” incorporating new textures like the rich brass and strings. Sheeran said he purposefully wanted to create an upbeat “pure pop” song compared to his usual acoustic ballads.
Lyrically, “Shivers” provides intimate insight into Sheeran’s current life and mindset four years after his last album. The romantic lyrics reveal his sheer joy and Contentment after marrying Seaborn. Sheeran speaks from the perspective of a devoted husband and life partner – a new role for the singer, who’s spent much of his career heartbroken or pining.
With his first new music since 2019, Sheeran proves his staying power as a top voice in pop music. “Shivers” showcases his evolution and sets the stage for his highly anticipated new album. The track demonstrates his songwriting chops remain top-notch as he crafts yet another infatuating love song destined for repeat listens.
“Shivers” in the Context of Sheeran’s Catalogue and Career
“Shivers” is the lead single from Sheeran’s upcoming fourth solo studio album called “=” (Equals), set for release on October 29, 2021. The song marks his long-awaited return to music after taking an extended break following his record-breaking 2017-2019 world tour.
The new album “=” is the fourth installment in Sheeran’s symbol album series, preceded by + (Plus – 2011), x (Multiply – 2014), and ÷ (Divide – 2017). Each record explores a different phase of Sheeran’s musical and personal journey:
Debut as a young, heartbroken singer-songwriter trying to make it
x Finding fame and success, grappling with stardom
÷ Settling into superstardom; finding love and connection
= Contentment with life, marriage, and fatherhood
“Shivers” fits into Sheeran’s catalog as an upbeat love song reflecting his current settled domestic life. While much of his early work contained heartbreak or angst, his songs have grown happier as he’s found stability in his relationship with Seaborn.
Other Songs About Cherry Seaborn:
Several Sheeran tracks have been inspired by his wife Cherry, including:
- “Perfect” (2017) – declares his love and proposal song
- “Best Part of Me” (2019) – Cherry brings out the best in him
- “Put It All On Me” (2019)- she supports him
- “Beautiful People” (2019) – being in awe of her
Upcoming “=” Album Details:
Sheeran has described “=” as his most personal record, encompassing themes of love, loss, and fatherhood. He wrote and recorded much of the album during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
- 14 tracks
- Genres: Pop, folk, rock, R&B, and more
- Collaborations: None announced yet
- Producers: Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Foy Vance
- Release Date: October 29, 2021
The remainder of Sheeran’s 2021:
- Promoting “Shivers” and the upcoming “=” album
- Potentially releasing more singles
- Performing on shows like Saturday Night Live
- Planning a 2022 tour once the album is out
Sheeran’s Career Highlights and Achievements:
Since his debut in 2011, Sheeran has become one of the world’s biggest music stars. His accolades include:
- Over 150 million records sold worldwide
- Four Grammy Awards and nine Brit Awards
- Billboard Artist of the Decade (2019)
- Two entries in Guinness World Records, including best-selling artist in UK chart history
Sheeran has also collaborated with artists like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Eminem, and Beyoncé. He performed everywhere, from The Grammys to the Olympic Games closing ceremony.
Overall, “Shivers” adds to Sheeran’s legacy as a top pop hit-maker and talented storyteller of the journeys of love and life.
Conclusion
With his infectious new single “Shivers,” Ed Sheeran once again delivers an irresistible pop love song that makes listeners swoon. The upbeat track provides a glimpse into Sheeran’s current personal joy since marrying Cherry Seaborn while expertly capturing universal emotions of new love and infatuation. “Shivers” showcases musical growth from Sheeran as he expands his sound into soulful, funky territory. The song broke records upon release and earned Sheeran more praise for his skilled songwriting, resonating with millions worldwide. “Shivers” proves Sheeran remains at the cutting edge of pop music as he offers more insight into his sound evolving in tandem with his life. This sweet, romantic hit single overflows with feel-good energy destined to make it a wedding dancefloor favorite for years to come.
