Ed Sheeran manages to tie love and pop anthems into the perfect mix which only a few artists can achieve. Again, he proves that he can fuse heartfelt lyrics to an infectious beat with ‘Shivers.’ The song was released as the second single of his album “= (Equals)” on September 10th, 2021, and quickly became a fan favorite.
This debuted at number one in the UK, taking away his smash hit “Bad Habits“, and ruled the charts in several countries including Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland. It charted at number five in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 2021. Despite being another pop song, what makes “Shivers” more special? Now, let’s explore his creation, its themes, and its impact.
Ed Sheeran details the lovestruck jitters in sweet new single, “Shivers” – Understanding Creator’s Arc
‘Shivers’ was written during the latter half of his Divide tour, at a rented farm in Suffolk and, as part of his setup, a makeshift studio. This song was different from many of his previous hits, which came together in one day, and took three days to complete, a very long date for Sheeran. ‘He said ‘Shivers’ just ‘felt too special to get wrong,’ that’s why he was so careful with every beat and spitting every lyric.’ This song played an interesting part in deciding the album title from the expected “– (Minus)” to “= (Equals), making the album more energetic and lighthearted.
Musical Composition: A Dance-Pop Delight
Except for the “Once Before” and “End,” “Shivers” is a dance-pop track full of energy right from the get-go. The repetitive chord progression makes the song’s 3 minutes and 58 seconds catchy. Sheeran takes his usual acoustic-driven ballads and layers them with an upbeat tempo and electric production, though this differs from the rest of his work.
It is a pulsating rhythm that the song lives on, and conjures up a sonic atmosphere at once intimate and electric. It perfectly captures that rush of emotion when you fall head over heels for someone, from the first beat it invites listeners to dance.
In Lyrical Themes: Love, Euphoria, and Longing
Like with so many love songs, Sheeran is no stranger to penning songs about love, but “Shivers” comes with a new twist, one that oozes uncontainable excitement. Passionate infatuation is outlined in the lyrics, with lines like ‘I wanna be that guy, I wanna kiss your eyes’ in deep admiration and desire. During the rush of being in love, when you feel like you’re alive and invincible, certain chorus lines express it well; ‘You give me the shivers, baby, you wanna dance till the sunlight cracks.’
This isn’t just physical attraction, Sheeran manages to tone emotional depth with sensuality and the song becomes a love anthem of the lovers who are desperate to be with each other.
The Music Video: A Whimsical Fantasy
Energized by the dreamlike visuals of Dave Meyers’ music video for ‘Shivers,’ the band’s gift continues to thrill, encourage, and inspire their rise to the top. While this video leans into exaggerated fantasy (Sheeran dates the servers at a diner, then encounters surreal happenings in a morgue), starring Ed Sheeran alongside actress AnnaSophia Robb, the visuals are beautiful. The video also compliments the already playful and cheerful nature of the song. The video is quite popular, with 373 million views as of Jan 2025.
Production: Crafting the Perfect Pop Hit
A song like “Shivers” isn’t made happen overnight, it takes a lot of work. These are some key elements that make its production so effective:
- Upbeat Tempo & Danceable Beat: The track has a fast pace that prevents you from staying still.
- Layered Instrumentation: Sheeran uses electronic elements in addition to conventional instruments to interweave electronic elements with traditional elements to enrich its sounds.
- Dynamic Vocal Performance: His vocal performance is dynamic, taking it from soft and intimate to high energy in pure bursts, all in the frame of absolutely passionate emotional highs and lows.
Each production choice enhances the song’s ability to resonate with listeners, making it one of Sheeran’s most engaging releases.
Critical & Commercial Success
“Shivers” was met with overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critics praised its infectious energy, calling it a return to Sheeran’s more upbeat roots following introspective tracks like “Visiting Hours”. It has gained over 373 million views on youtube on a single version. Including all other video versions it would be around 450-500 million views, also it has a record of 600 millions plus streams on spotify. The song’s success reaffirmed his position as a leading force in contemporary pop, proving that he can effortlessly blend sincerity with mass appeal. Beyond the charts, “Shivers” became a staple at concerts, lighting up arenas as fans sang and danced along. It solidified itself as more than just a hit it became an experience.
Final Thoughts: A Celebration of Love & Life
At its heart, “Shivers” is a celebration of love, energy, and the electrifying moments that make life exciting. It’s a song that reminds us what it feels like to be utterly captivated by someone, to lose ourselves in the moment, and to dance until the sunrise. With its irresistible melody, heartfelt lyrics, and lively production, “Shivers” is yet another example of why Ed Sheeran continues to reign as one of the biggest pop artists of our time. Whether you’re falling in love or simply looking for a song that makes you feel alive, “Shivers” delivers every single time.