Azizam

"Azizam" is a celebration of love, connection, and cultural exploration. The song's title, a Persian term of endearment meaning "my dear" or "my beloved," is the key to its core message. It's a love song dedicated to Ed Sheeran's wife, Cherry Seaborn, expressing a deep desire for closeness and intimacy. The lyrics revolve around the theme of wanting to be completely present with a loved one, to the point of losing oneself in the moment and in their affection. The recurring invitation to the dance floor symbolizes a space of shared joy, freedom, and connection where the two can become one.

Beyond its romantic message, "Azizam" represents a significant cultural fusion. The song was born from a suggestion by its Swedish-Iranian producer, Ilya Salmanzadeh, to explore the music of his Persian heritage. Sheeran has expressed that this process was like 'opening a door to a completely new and exciting world,' noting similarities between Persian musical elements and the Irish traditional music he grew up with, highlighting music's power as a universal language. Therefore, the song is not just a personal love letter, but also a respectful and celebratory tribute to Persian culture, blending Sheeran's pop sensibilities with new rhythms, scales, and instrumentation.

The song is a passionate and heartfelt declaration of love and an invitation to connect on a deep, intimate level. The narrator expresses an overwhelming desire to be completely present with their beloved, wanting to be tangled and lost in their presence. The setting is a vibrant dance floor, illuminated by dancing lights, which becomes a metaphorical space for their connection. The repeated use of the Persian term of endearment, "Azizam," which translates to "my dear" or "my beloved," anchors the song's romantic theme and cultural influence.

The first verse establishes a longing for closeness, using imagery of being wrapped in a cloud and wanting to be near their lover's face. There's a sense of urgency and a desire to live in the moment, as the narrator insists that 'tomorrow can wait.' They feel an irresistible pull towards their partner, describing it as a magnetic attraction. The pre-chorus builds on this by dismissing outside opinions and framing their love as a game they are eager to play, emphasizing a carefree and personal approach to their relationship.

The chorus is a direct and joyous invitation: "Meet me on the floor tonight." The narrator wants their partner to show them how to move with the fluidity of water, a metaphor for effortless grace and deep connection. It's a plea for unity and possession in the most romantic sense, repeated in the earnest call, "Be mine, be mine, Azizam."

The second verse deepens the theme of immersive love, with the narrator wanting to get 'lost in your ocean and drown,' a powerful metaphor for being completely consumed by their feelings. This desire for total immersion is paired with a wish to be 'careless and free,' living fully in the beautiful moment they have found together. The song concludes by reinforcing this central plea, with the repetition of "Azizam" becoming a mantra of love and devotion, encapsulating the song's celebratory and cross-cultural expression of affection.

"Azizam" was released on April 4, 2025, as the lead single from Ed Sheeran's eighth studio album, reportedly titled 'Play'. The song was written and produced by Sheeran alongside Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid, and Savan Kotecha. The impetus for the song's unique sound came from co-producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, who is of Swedish-Iranian heritage. He suggested to Sheeran that they try making music inspired by Persian culture. Sheeran embraced the idea, finding the exploration into new musical traditions inspiring.

The track features a blend of Sheeran's signature pop style with a vibrant dance beat and distinct Persian musical influences. Several Iranian and Indian musicians contributed to the recording, playing traditional instruments such as the daf, santoor, and lute to create its authentic cross-cultural soundscape. The song was released under Sheeran's own label, Gingerbread Man Records, and distributed by Warner Records.

Following the main release, a Persian version of the song featuring the iconic Iranian singer Googoosh was released on April 18, 2025. The official music video, directed by Iranian-American filmmaker Saman Kesh, was released on April 17, 2025. It depicts a Persian wedding theme and features notable Iranian personalities like Googoosh, Andy, and Omid Djalili, further cementing the song's cultural tribute.

The song is built on a vibrant, high-tempo dance rhythm that fuses pop with Persian influences. This rhythmic foundation creates an infectious and celebratory feel, encouraging movement and reflecting the lyrical theme of dancing. The meter is a standard 4/4 time signature, typical for a dance-pop track, making it accessible and catchy.

The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) and simple perfect rhymes to enhance memorability and its song-like quality. For example, in the verses, 'now' rhymes with 'cloud' and 'space' with 'face'. The pre-chorus follows a similar pattern ('place'/'awake', 'me'/'play'). This simple structure allows the focus to remain on the melody and the emotional delivery of the lyrics. The repetition of the titular phrase "Azizam" at the end of key lines in the chorus acts as a rhythmic and melodic anchor, reinforcing the song's central theme and cultural flavor.

"Azizam" showcases a significant stylistic shift for Ed Sheeran by blending his pop songwriting with world music elements. Musically, the track is notable for its fusion of a Western dance-pop beat with Persian musical influences. This is achieved through the use of traditional instruments like the daf (a frame drum), santoor (a hammered dulcimer), and lute, which provide a unique rhythmic and melodic texture. The production, handled by Sheeran with Ilya, Savan Kotecha, and Johnny McDaid, is polished and modern, with shimmering synths and layered percussion creating a 'bouncy, mellow groove'. Sheeran's vocal delivery is earnest and heartfelt, with subtle vocal effects adding a dreamlike quality.

Lyrically, the song uses simple, direct, and repetitive language to create a powerful emotional impact. The primary literary technique is the repetition of the word "Azizam," which functions as a lyrical hook and a constant term of endearment, grounding the song's emotional core. The lyrics employ vivid but accessible imagery and metaphors, such as being 'tangled and wrapped in your cloud' or getting 'lost in your ocean,' to express intense love and desire. The narrative voice is direct and intimate, creating a personal and sincere feel.

"Azizam" stands out in Ed Sheeran's discography for its explicit and celebratory embrace of non-Western musical traditions, specifically Persian culture. Its release was timed to coincide with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, further highlighting its cultural nod. The song was largely inspired by its Swedish-Iranian producer, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and features traditional Persian instruments and rhythms. This cultural fusion was widely noted in media coverage, with many outlets explaining the meaning of the word "Azizam" to a global audience. The collaboration with legendary Iranian singer Googoosh on a separate Persian version of the track, and the inclusion of prominent Iranian figures in the music video, further solidified its cultural impact and respectful engagement with the Iranian arts community. The song sparked considerable discussion online, with many fans, particularly those of Iranian heritage, expressing emotional and positive reactions to the cultural crossover.

The lyrics of "Azizam" employ several key metaphors to convey the depth of romantic love and connection:

• The Dance Floor: This serves as the central symbolic space in the song. It represents a place of freedom, intimacy, and shared experience where the lovers can connect away from the world's gaze. The invitation, "Meet me on the floor tonight," is a call to enter this shared, almost sacred, space.
• Moving Like Water: The line, "Show me how to move like the water," is a metaphor for achieving a state of fluid, effortless, and harmonious connection. Water symbolizes adaptability, grace, and depth, suggesting a desire for a relationship that is natural and intuitive.
• Ocean and Drowning: The lyric "I wanna get lost in your ocean and drown" is a powerful hyperbole for complete immersion in love. The ocean represents the vastness and all-encompassing nature of his feelings for his beloved, and the act of 'drowning' symbolizes a willing surrender to that love.
• Magnetism: The simile "Be like a magnet on me" illustrates an irresistible and powerful attraction. It speaks to a force that is natural, undeniable, and beyond conscious control, pulling the two lovers together.

The most significant recurring motif in the song is the word "Azizam" itself. Repeated in the chorus and post-chorus, this Persian term for "my dear" or "my beloved" acts as the song's central hook and emotional anchor. Its repetition is not just for memorability; it constantly reinforces the theme of love and endearment while highlighting the song's cross-cultural nature. Each time it is sung, it's a direct, heartfelt address to the beloved.

Another recurring phrase is the invitation, "Meet me on the floor tonight." This line, central to the chorus, establishes the main setting and symbolic action of the song – connecting through dance. It's a recurring call to intimacy and shared joy. The plea "Be mine, be mine" is also repeated, emphasizing the desire for commitment and exclusivity within this celebratory and loving context.