Shivers

"Shivers" by Ed Sheeran is a vibrant and energetic exploration of the intoxicating rush of new love and intense physical attraction. The song captures the moment of falling head over heels for someone, a feeling so powerful it's compared to being struck by "an arrow to the heart." The central theme revolves around the overwhelming, almost involuntary, physical and emotional response—the titular "shivers"—that the singer experiences when close to his romantic interest. This is not a metaphor for fear, but for an exhilarating, fiery passion and desire. The lyrics paint a picture of total infatuation, where every detail of the person is intoxicating, from the taste of their kiss to the sight of their smile. The song's narrative is one of joyous celebration, focusing on the desire to prolong these euphoric moments, to "dance 'til the sunlight cracks" and keep the feeling alive. It delves into both the passionate, physical side of the relationship and the profound emotional connection, conveying a sense of surrendering completely to love and the vulnerability that comes with it.

The song narrates the intense and exhilarating experience of falling deeply in love. It begins with the feeling of being struck by Cupid's arrow, an immediate and powerful attraction to someone new. The protagonist is captivated by every detail of this person, from the unique taste of their kiss, which is described as being like "strawberries and somethin' more," to their smile, which he wants to "drink." This infatuation is all-encompassing, sparking a desire for spontaneous adventures like late-night drives and dancing under the stars. There's a sense of wanting to possess every moment and every aspect of this newfound connection.

The central theme is the physical and emotional reaction this person provokes—a feeling so intense it's described as "shivers." This isn't a cold or nervous sensation, but rather an electric thrill that comes with closeness. The lyrics express a longing to be inseparable, to stay up all day and night, completely consumed by the relationship. The feeling is described as a fire in the soul, a passionate and vibrant energy that makes the narrator feel incredibly alive. He wants to be the one his partner desires, to be the source of their joy, and to share in every intimate moment.

As the song progresses, the intensity deepens. The narrative moves to more intimate settings, like the backseat of a car in the moonlight, highlighting a raw and powerful physical desire. There's a vulnerability expressed in the lines, "you could tear me apart, put me back together and take my heart," which shows a complete surrender to this love. The protagonist admits to never having loved so intensely before, acknowledging that this connection has broken down all his previous emotional barriers. The recurring chorus reinforces the central idea: the 'shivers' are a delightful, addictive reaction to his partner's presence, and he wants to keep the celebratory feeling of their love going indefinitely, even after the party ends.

Ed Sheeran wrote "Shivers" at the end of his Divide tour in late summer 2019. He set up a studio for two weeks at a rented farm in Suffolk, England, where the tour concluded, with the intention of experimenting and seeing what music would emerge. The writing process for "Shivers" was unusually lengthy for Sheeran, taking three full days. He explained that he felt the song "was too special to get wrong." The track was co-written with several of his frequent collaborators: Steve Mac, Johnny McDaid, and Fred Again.. Kal Lavelle is also credited as a writer, reportedly because of thematic similarities to her own song of the same name. "Shivers" was initially intended to be the lead single from his album = (Equals). However, Sheeran decided to release "Bad Habits" first, feeling it was a better fit for the summer, while "Shivers" had a more "autumnal" feel. The song was officially released on September 10, 2021.

"Shivers" uses direct and evocative metaphors to convey the intensity of newfound love and attraction.

• Arrow to the Heart: The opening line, "I took an arrow to the heart," is a clear and classic metaphor for falling in love suddenly and unexpectedly, alluding to Cupid, the Roman god of desire. This immediately establishes the song's theme of a powerful, inescapable romantic connection.
• Consuming a Person's Essence: Sheeran uses sensory metaphors like "I wanna drink that smile" to express an intense desire for intimacy that goes beyond the physical. It symbolizes a wish to internalize and fully experience the joy and essence of his partner.
• Soul's on Fire: The phrase "Like my soul's on fire" is a powerful metaphor for the passion and exhilarating energy the relationship ignites within him. It signifies a deep, spiritual, and all-consuming excitement rather than simple affection.
• Shivers: The central metaphor of the song, "give me the shivers," is re-contextualized from a feeling of cold or fear to one of electrifying excitement and desire. It's the physical manifestation of the emotional and chemical rush of being close to someone you're intensely attracted to.

The music video further expands on this symbolism, with some interpretations suggesting a modern retelling of the Eros (Cupid) and Psyche myth. Bright colors in the video symbolize passion and joy, while imagery of dancing represents the essence of romantic connection.

The predominant emotional tone of "Shivers" is one of pure, unadulterated joy and euphoria. It captures the dizzying excitement and giddy energy of the initial stages of falling in love. This is created through a combination of an upbeat, fast tempo (around 141 BPM), a driving dance-pop beat, and Sheeran's enthusiastic vocal performance. The lyrics are filled with positive and passionate declarations like "I love it when you do it like that" and "my soul's on fire," which contribute to the song's celebratory atmosphere.

There's also a strong undercurrent of longing and desire, expressed through the repeated "I wanna..." phrases in the pre-chorus. While overwhelmingly positive, the song does touch on a hint of vulnerability and the intensity of complete emotional surrender, with lines like "you could tear me apart... and take my heart." The music mirrors this emotional build-up; the verses create a sense of tension with their staccato strings, which is then released in the explosive, vibrant, and cathartic chorus.

"Shivers" was a massive commercial success, further cementing Ed Sheeran's status as a global pop superstar. Upon its release, the song debuted at number one on the singles charts in the United Kingdom and Ireland, notably dethroning his own previous single, "Bad Habits," after its 11-week reign. It also topped the charts in countries like Germany, Austria, and Switzerland and peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100.

The song's music video, directed by Dave Meyers and co-starring actress AnnaSophia Robb, became very popular, noted for its wild, surreal, and energetic visuals which include nods to Elton John. "Shivers" received significant positive feedback from fans and became a staple in live performances, known for prompting sing-alongs. The track was featured on numerous compilations, such as Now That's What I Call Music!, and inspired social media trends, particularly on TikTok. A K-pop remix featuring Korean stars Jessi and Sunmi was also released, broadening its international appeal.

"Shivers" is built on a foundation of a fast-paced, danceable rhythm with a tempo of approximately 141 beats per minute. The song follows a standard four-chord progression (Bm-G-D-A) that repeats throughout most of the track, providing a consistent and catchy structure. The rhythmic drive is established from the beginning with the plucky pizzicato string riff and is propelled by a strong, consistent beat featuring a mix of electronic drums and hand claps.

The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, primarily using couplets (AABB) and simple end rhymes to maintain a pop-friendly structure. For example, in the first verse, "yours" rhymes with "more," and "far" rhymes with "stars." This simple scheme makes the lyrics easy to follow and sing along to. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the instrumental is crucial; Sheeran's vocal melody often creates tension against the chords. For instance, in the chorus, the melody centers on notes that create a pleasant dissonance with the underlying harmony, which then resolves, making the hook more compelling. The rhythm is energetic and propulsive, perfectly matching the song's lyrical themes of excitement and boundless energy.

Musically, "Shivers" marks a shift for Sheeran into a more dance-pop and electronic sound, while retaining his core singer-songwriter elements. A key musical technique is the prominent use of a repetitive, staccato pizzicato string riff that opens the song and serves as its main hook. This technique is atypical for mainstream pop and creates a sense of tension and bounce that lives up to the song's title. The arrangement builds by layering acoustic guitar, a driving bassline, percussion claps, synths, and warm horns in the chorus to create an energetic and full soundscape.

Lyrically, Sheeran employs vivid and direct imagery ("Lipstick on my guitar," "dancin' underneath the stars") and sensory details ("strawberries and somethin' more") to create a relatable and immersive narrative. The structure relies heavily on repetition, particularly in the pre-chorus and the extremely catchy chorus, which makes the song highly memorable. Sheeran's vocal delivery shifts throughout the song, moving from melodic and rich tones in the verses to an energetic, and at times falsetto, delivery in the chorus, enhancing the emotional dynamism.

What is the meaning behind Ed Sheeran's song 'Shivers'?

'Shivers' is about the exhilarating and intense feeling of falling deeply in love. The 'shivers' represent the electric, physical thrill and euphoria experienced when close to a romantic partner, capturing the passion and excitement of a new relationship.

When was 'Shivers' by Ed Sheeran released?

Ed Sheeran released 'Shivers' on September 10, 2021. It was the second official single from his fifth studio album, '=' (Equals).

Who did Ed Sheeran write 'Shivers' with?

Ed Sheeran co-wrote 'Shivers' with his frequent collaborators Steve Mac, Johnny McDaid, and Kal Lavelle. The track was produced by Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Fred Again..

What do the lyrics 'I wanna drink that smile' mean?

The lyric 'I wanna drink that smile' is a metaphor for wanting to completely absorb and experience the joy and essence of his partner. It expresses a deep level of intimacy and infatuation beyond just physical attraction.

What is the main instrument in 'Shivers'?

The most distinctive instrument in 'Shivers' is the pizzicato (plucked) string section that plays the main recurring riff. This unique sound provides the song's catchy, bouncy feel and is central to its identity.

Was 'Shivers' supposed to be the first single from the album '='?

Yes, Ed Sheeran revealed that 'Shivers' was originally intended to be the lead single for the album. However, he decided to release 'Bad Habits' first for the summer, feeling that 'Shivers' had a more 'autumnal' vibe.

Who stars in the music video for 'Shivers'?

The music video for 'Shivers' stars Ed Sheeran alongside American actress AnnaSophia Robb, who plays his love interest in a series of surreal and energetic scenes. The video was directed by Dave Meyers.