"Curtains"
Song by Ed Sheeran
from the album −
Released5 May 2023 (2023-05-05)
Length3:44
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Aaron Dessner
Music video
"Curtains" on YouTube

"Curtains" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 5 May 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records as the eighth track from his fifth studio album, − ("Subtract"). Sheeran wrote the song with producer Aaron Dessner. Sheeran announced the song alongside the album on 1 March 2023, setting up several pre-order opportunities.[1]

Composition and lyrics

The song is lyrically about putting in the work to come to a peace of mind.[2] Sheeran shows a sense of uncertainty and fatality while pushing through tough times.[3] The song also contains electric guitar and is about getting through grief.[4] It is built around a minor chord progression made by Aaron Dessner and is reminiscent of Avril Lavigne-style grunge.[5]

Critical reception

Nick Levine of NME felt that the song "has a springier rhythm, plus rock guitars that recall The Cranberries and a genuinely anthemic chorus, sounds like a future single".[6] Maura Johnston of Rolling Stone felt that it "turns a game of hide and seek into a metaphor for dragging oneself out of life's muck".[7]

Music video

The official music video for "Curtains" premiered alongside all the remaining videos for every song on the album on 5 May 2023, the same day that the album was released, as part of its visual album. Taking place in a forest, the video depicts Sheeran coming across a group of people running around him. The video alternates between blue, where Sheeran is disoriented and tries to avoid other people, and orange, where Ed is joyful and has fun with them, mists. As the video ends with the mist clearing up and Sheeran and everybody else walking away, a brief shot shows Sheeran in the blue mist being happy too.[8]

Charts

Chart performance for "Curtains"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[9] 24
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[10] 31
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[11] 61
Germany (Official German Charts)[12] 87
Global 200 (Billboard)[13] 73
Ireland (IRMA)[14] 23
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[15] 61
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[16] 25
Portugal (AFP)[17] 200
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[18] 40
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[19] 33
UK Singles (OCC)[20] 16
US Billboard Hot 100[21] 97

References

  1. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (1 March 2023). "New Ed Sheeran album, Subtract, informed by 'fear, depression and anxiety'". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  2. ^ Murray, Robin (4 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran – Subtract | Reviews". Clash. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  3. ^ Petridis, Alexis (5 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran: Subtract review – easily his best ever album". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  4. ^ Empire, Kitty (6 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran: Subtract review – a grownup record that swings from coping to not coping". The Observer. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  5. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (5 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran review, Subtract: Aaron Dessner collaboration proves that less is definitely more". The Independent. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  6. ^ Levine, Nick (5 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran – - review: his troubled times laid bare". NME. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  7. ^ Johnston, Maura (5 May 2023). "Review: Ed Sheeran's 'Subtract'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  8. ^ Mier, Tomás (5 May 2023). "Ed Sheeran Wants to See the Sunshine in Blue 'Curtains' Video". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 20 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  15. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  16. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
  18. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Curtains". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  21. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
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