Ed Sheeran’s sweet new single “Shivers” captures those nervous butterflies we all feel in new romance. The track shot to number one on Spotify’s Worldwide Top 200 list minutes after its release. The music video became an instant hit and pulled in over 5 million views during its first weekend.
“Shivers” comes from Sheeran’s upcoming album = (Equals), set to drop October 29. The song perfectly shows those early love jitters with lyrics like “Heart’s a little faster, palms are getting wet, Every time I see you, it’s like our first meeting”. Eight countries have already certified this hit track Platinum, showing why Sheeran stands out as one of modern music’s most versatile artists.
His previous single “Bad Habits” ruled the charts for 10 straight weeks, which put extra pressure on Sheeran for “Shivers” to succeed. The response has been overwhelming – fans and critics love it. The track landed in Spotify’s Top 10 just 48 hours after release.
The Story Behind ‘Shivers’
Ed Sheeran’s career reached a turning point when he created “Shivers.” He finished his massive Divide tour in late summer 2019 and headed to a rented farm in Suffolk, England. He set up a temporary studio with his collaborators “to see what happened”. This countryside creative session ended up producing one of his most infectious tracks.
How the song came to life
“Shivers” took a different path from Sheeran’s usual quick writing style. The song needed three days to complete, which was unusual. Sheeran said, “I felt it was too special to get wrong”. This careful approach stood in stark contrast to his typical rapid songwriting method.
Several accomplished writers contributed to the track. Sheeran’s team included Johnny McDaid, Kal Lavelle, and Steve Mac, while Fred Again joined as co-producer. McDaid, Sheeran’s close friend and frequent collaborator, described their creative process openly: “We just decided to have playtime, wondering what would come along. It’s rarely prescriptive… it’s open to possibility and wonder”.
Ed Sheeran’s inspiration for the track
Sheeran shared his inspiration for “Shivers” during The Howard Stern Show. He said he “wanted to capture the excitement of the first time that you would hang out with someone… the first time you feel a spark basically”. The song’s lyrics and upbeat melody reflect this theme of romantic anticipation.
The meaning behind the title
“Shivers” captures those nervous butterflies people feel in early romance. The song describes new love’s physical reactions – faster heartbeat, sweaty palms, and that electric feeling when seeing someone special.
The song played a vital role in naming Sheeran’s fourth studio album. Fans thought the album would be called “–” (Minus) to continue his mathematical symbol theme. But Sheeran explained: “I was making the record and I wrote a song called ‘Shivers’ and I was like, ‘This doesn’t really feel like [Minus]'”. This led him to choose “=” (Equals), which better matched the song’s optimistic energy.
Sheeran’s original plan was to release “Shivers” as the album’s lead single. He changed his mind and picked “Bad Habits” for summer release since “Shivers always felt more autumnal”.
Exploring the Lyrics: Love’s Butterflies in Words
“Shivers” shows poetic brilliance in the way it captures those heart-fluttering moments of new attraction. Ed Sheeran uses vivid language that strikes a chord with anyone who has felt that electric spark of budding romance.
Key lines that capture nervous excitement
The first verse opens with “I took a while, ’cause I’m taking my time,” which sets up the careful approach to new love. Physical signs of nervousness become the focus as the lyrics move forward: “Heart’s a little faster, palms are getting wet, Every time I see you, it’s like our first meeting.” These words paint a perfect picture of our body’s response when someone catches our eye.
Sheeran’s pre-chorus confession “Ooh, you got me under pressure” highlights that overwhelming feeling you get around someone who makes your pulse race. The song concludes in an explosive chorus where he declares, “I wanna make you feel like you’re the only girl in the world.”
How the lyrics reflect early romance
The song’s story follows the path many new relationships take – from uncertainty to complete surrender of feelings. Lines such as “Want you close as dusk falls” and “Take my name, take my heart” reveal the journey from that first spark to a deeper emotional bond.
Sheeran finds the sweet spot between showing vulnerability and expressing desire. To name just one example, see “So come on, give me a chance” – it shows his openness to risk rejection for a shot at happiness, something we’ve all felt in new romance.
Use of imagery and repetition
Powerful imagery fills the track, especially with “ooh” sounds that mirror the breathlessness of passionate moments. The phrase “gives me the shivers” works as both the song’s foundation and its catchiest hook.
Bridge sections repeat “kiss me” to build tension that matches the growing anticipation in new relationships. This approach, combined with the song’s steady rhythm, recreates that heart-racing feeling of falling in love. These elements make “Shivers” connect with listeners deeply, even though it comes from Sheeran’s personal experience.
The Sound of Emotion: Musical Composition and Production
“Shivers” shows how Ed Sheeran can blend different genres. The song proves his exceptional storytelling while exploring new musical territory.
Acoustic roots and modern pop blend
“Shivers” takes a bold step away from Sheeran’s acoustic style. The song embraces electronic and dance-pop sounds. The track combines upbeat rhythm with quick guitar riffs. Layered vocal harmonies create a fuller sound experience. While different from his folk style, Sheeran keeps his acoustic elements alive. The song uses pizzicato strings that add a playful bounce throughout. This unique riff gives character to the track and stays strong as the chords change.
The song brings back heavy acoustic guitar sounds that remind listeners of his earlier hit “Sing”. This clever callback shows how Sheeran blends his classic sound with new ideas.
Role of producers Johnny McDaid and Fred again..
Several talented musicians came together to create “Shivers.” Johnny McDaid from Snow Patrol helped write and produce the song. McDaid and Sheeran’s partnership goes back to 2013 when they worked on Sheeran’s second album. They went on to create huge hits together, including “Shape of You” – now the most streamed song that ever spread.
Fred again.. (Frederick Gibson) brought his skills as co-producer. He added programming, bass, drums, guitar, and keyboard. The production team, with Steve Mac, spent three days perfecting the song’s sound—much longer than Sheeran usually takes. This extra time shows their dedication to getting every detail right.
How the music builds emotional tension
The song’s composition captures the nervous excitement in the lyrics perfectly. The quick, energetic tempo creates instant anticipation. It mirrors your heartbeat when you’re falling for someone.
The four-chord pattern (Bm G D A) repeats to create a mesmerizing effect. The song builds tension through clever use of dissonance. The melody sometimes clashes with the chords underneath. This musical technique feels like the beautiful uncertainty of new love.
The chorus releases all that built-up emotion. Sheeran’s voice jumps to falsetto at key moments and makes the hook impossible to forget. These carefully chosen musical elements turn “Shivers” into something more than just another love song.
Visuals and Reactions: Music Video and Fan Response
The official music video for “Shivers” came out with the single on September 10, 2021. Dave Meyers directed this visual masterpiece that amplifies the song’s emotional pull. Meyers had worked with Sheeran before on “Bad Habits” and “Antisocial.” The video has racked up over 350 million views by June 2024.
Storyline and symbolism in the video
The story unfolds as a whimsical love tale between Sheeran and actress AnnaSophia Robb. Their first encounter happens at a diner. The narrative takes viewers through several fantastical scenes. Sheeran “dies” but comes back to life after getting a text from his love interest. The couple dances in a bird-filled hotel and Sheeran fights off attackers while wearing knight armor. The surreal scenes show Sheeran channeling his inner Elton John, complete with sequins and feathers[191].
Butterflies appear throughout the video as symbols of new romance’s physical “shivers”. Dreamlike sequences show Sheeran soaring through the air. These moments capture the emotional highs of falling in love.
Fan reactions on social media
“Shivers” became a social media sensation with overwhelmingly positive responses. Thousands of viral TikTok videos featured the song. This showed how much younger audiences connected with it. The track found unexpected fame beyond music circles when HBO’s “Hard Knocks” used it as background music for an Aaron Rodgers montage.
Critical reviews and chart performance
The song turned into a soaring win. It knocked Sheeran’s own “Bad Habits” off the UK charts’ top spot. The track hit top ten positions across multiple countries and gathered over 600 million Spotify streams.
Critics had mixed feelings. GQ’s Jonathan Heaf called it “a sexy, rocketing song that has hand claps in the bridge and is music to dance to”. Some reviewers thought the music video’s creativity outshined what they saw as a “generic pop tune.” They felt the beat became “un-listenable beyond the tenth time”.
How the video boosts the song’s message
The video’s striking visuals match the song’s themes. Each fantasy scene shows new love’s emotional journey. Nervous anticipation comes through in waiting for texts. Euphoric connection shines in dance sequences. The video’s colorful, high-energy style fits the track’s upbeat tempo. This creates a complete audiovisual experience that drives home the song’s emotional power.
Conclusion
“Shivers” shows Ed Sheeran’s growth as an artist and his authentic storytelling skills. The song captures those universal butterflies we feel during early romance through vivid lyrics and dynamic production. The track took an unusual three days to write, but this careful approach worked well as shown by its huge commercial success and effect on listeners.
The song did more than just top charts and streaming numbers. It shaped Sheeran’s album direction and led him to name the album “=” instead of “–”. The track also shows his readiness to explore dance-pop territory while keeping his distinctive musical identity.
Sheeran, McDaid, and Fred again.. worked together to turn a simple concept into something extraordinary. Their combined expertise created a sound that perfectly matches the emotional story told through the lyrics.
Listeners connect deeply with “Shivers” because it expresses an emotional experience most people know firsthand. They can enjoy it through headphones or watch its fantastical music video. The song shows why Sheeran stays relevant and loved throughout his career – he finds fresh ways to express universal feelings while expanding his artistic range.
Critics might compare it to his earlier work, but “Shivers” achieved what great pop music should do. It connected with audiences worldwide and gave them three minutes of joyful escape. This mix of relatability and musical skill will keep the song as a highlight in Sheeran’s impressive catalog for years.
FAQs
Q1. What inspired Ed Sheeran to write “Shivers”? Ed Sheeran wanted to capture the excitement and nervous energy of falling in love for the first time. He aimed to express those initial butterflies and spark felt when hanging out with someone special.
Q2. How long did it take Ed Sheeran to write “Shivers”? Unlike his typically quick writing process, “Shivers” took Ed Sheeran an unusually long three days to complete. He felt the song was too special to get wrong and wanted to perfect every element.
Q3. Who collaborated with Ed Sheeran on “Shivers”? The song was a collaborative effort involving several accomplished writers and producers. Johnny McDaid, Kal Lavelle, and Steve Mac are credited as co-writers, while Fred Again served as co-producer alongside Sheeran.
Q4. How does the music video for “Shivers” enhance the song’s message? The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, features a whimsical love story with fantastical scenarios. It visually represents the emotional rollercoaster of new love, complementing the song’s themes and upbeat tempo with colorful, high-energy esthetics.
Q5. How did “Shivers” impact Ed Sheeran’s album direction? “Shivers” played a crucial role in determining the title of Sheeran’s fourth studio album. Initially expected to be called “–” (Minus), the creation of “Shivers” led Sheeran to choose “=” (Equals) instead, reflecting the song’s more optimistic energy.