Sing

"Sing" by Ed Sheeran is a departure from his typical acoustic, singer-songwriter style, venturing into a more upbeat, R&B, and funk-driven sound. The song's meaning revolves around a spontaneous and intense romantic and physical connection during a night out. The lyrics describe a whirlwind encounter, likely inspired by a night in Las Vegas, filled with drinking, dancing, and immediate chemistry. The narrator is urging his new love interest to drop her inhibitions and fully engage with the passion they're both feeling. Phrases like 'Come on, get involved' and 'Feel it rushing through you from your head to toe' are a direct and sensual plea for reciprocation. The song captures the feeling of being completely engrossed in a new person, to the point where the surrounding crowd and noise ('ignoring everybody here / We wish they would disappear') fade into the background. It's a celebration of living in the moment, seizing an unexpected connection, and the exhilarating feeling of mutual desire.

The song narrates a high-energy, spontaneous night out, possibly in Las Vegas. It begins with the narrator feeling a bit out of place and looking for a drink, perhaps to ease into the social setting. He meets a woman, and there's an immediate, palpable chemistry between them. She provides him with some Dutch courage in the form of a drink, and he quickly becomes captivated by her. The narrative unfolds with a sense of urgency and escalating passion, moving from a crowded room to a more intimate connection. The central theme is a direct and pressing invitation for this romantic interest to reciprocate his feelings and get involved, to let go and feel the connection that's rushing between them from head to toe. The lyrics convey a whirlwind of emotions—excitement, desire, and the thrill of a new, intense attraction. He describes the love as being 'ablaze' and sees 'flames on the side of the stage,' using the concert-like atmosphere as a metaphor for the intensity of his feelings. He repeatedly asks her to 'set the tone' and to let him know if she feels the same way, highlighting a need for clear communication amidst the chaotic energy of the night. The repeated plea, 'Come on, get involved,' serves as the song's core message, urging a move from passive attraction to active participation in whatever is unfolding between them. The setting is vibrant and noisy, with background music and a crowd that seems to fade away as he focuses solely on her. The pre-chorus and chorus sections are a direct address, a sensual and insistent call for her to fully engage with the moment and the powerful connection they share.

"Sing" was written by Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams, with Williams also handling production and providing uncredited backing vocals. The song was recorded on December 7, 2013, and released on April 7, 2014, as the lead single from Sheeran's second studio album, × (Multiply). The collaboration marked a significant shift in Sheeran's sound. Initially, Sheeran was hesitant about the song, as it was a departure from his folk-rock style, but it was created to generate hype for the new album. The creation process was a new experience for Sheeran; Pharrell provided the track first, and Sheeran wrote the song over it, which was a different method for him. The song was directly inspired by the pop and R&B styles of Justin Timberlake, particularly his albums Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds. Sheeran himself stated, 'It was pretty close to a direct inspiration.' The lyrical content is based on a real-life experience Sheeran had during a night out in Las Vegas.

The lyrical content of "Sing" is more direct than symbolic, but it uses vivid imagery to convey its message. The line, 'This love is ablaze / I saw flames on the side of the stage,' uses the metaphor of fire to represent the sudden and intense passion the narrator feels. This isn't a slow-burning love but an instantaneous, all-consuming fire. The setting of a loud, crowded venue or club also acts as a symbolic backdrop. The narrator's ability to focus solely on one person amidst the chaos ('All that I can hear is music from the back') symbolizes the overwhelming nature of his attraction, making everything else irrelevant. His request for her to 'come on, set the tone' can be seen as a metaphor for taking control and initiating the next step in their burgeoning relationship, moving it from a passive encounter to an active engagement.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "Sing" is one of exhilaration, flirtatious energy, and confident desire. The song captures the electrifying feeling of instant, mutual attraction on a night out. This upbeat and 'funky' mood is a deliberate departure from the more 'melancholy, acoustically-driven' work Sheeran was known for. The emotion is built through the combination of the driving, danceable beat produced by Pharrell Williams, the 'choppy guitar riffs,' and Sheeran's vocal delivery. The verses convey a sense of urgent storytelling, while the shift to a high falsetto in the chorus expresses a feeling of release and pure, joyful wanting. There's a palpable sense of confidence and seduction in the lyrics as the narrator boldly asks his interest to 'get involved,' creating a soundscape that is both sensual and energetic.

"Sing" was a massive commercial success and marked a pivotal moment in Ed Sheeran's career, showcasing his versatility beyond folk-pop. It became his first-ever number-one single in the UK and also topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. In the US, it peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100, at the time his highest-charting single there. The song received critical acclaim, with many critics praising the change in musical direction and drawing favorable comparisons to the work of Justin Timberlake and Pharrell Williams. Its R&B and funk-infused pop sound was a significant departure that broadened his audience. The music video, featuring a puppet caricature of Sheeran on a wild night out, became highly memorable and even featured a cameo from Sheeran and Pharrell themselves. "Sing" successfully generated immense hype for its parent album, × (Multiply), which went on to be a global bestseller, solidifying Sheeran's status as a worldwide superstar.

"Sing" is driven by a strong, upbeat rhythmic structure with a tempo perfect for dancing. The rhythm is built on what's described as a 'booming drum line straight out of the 80's hip-hop scene' combined with a funky, syncopated acoustic guitar riff. This creates a powerful groove that underpins the entire track. Lyrically, Sheeran employs a mix of perfect and near rhymes in his verses, often delivered in a rapid, rhythmic patter that blurs the line between singing and rapping. For instance, in the second verse, he rhymes 'ablaze' with 'stage' and 'days'. The chorus, with its soaring falsetto, has a more straightforward, melodic rhythm that contrasts with the percussive verses. The rhyme scheme is relatively simple, focusing on couplets and short, memorable phrases to enhance the song's catchy, pop-oriented nature. The interplay between the staccato rhythm of the verses and the smoother, more melodic flow of the chorus creates a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

"Sing" showcases a significant stylistic shift for Ed Sheeran, heavily influenced by producer Pharrell Williams. The song is built on a foundation of R&B and funk, characterized by a 'choppy guitar riff,' complex layers of percussion, and a prominent bassline. A key musical technique is Sheeran's use of a 'rubbery falsetto' in the chorus, a stark contrast to his usual vocal delivery and a clear nod to influences like Justin Timberlake and The Rolling Stones' "Miss You". The vocal arrangement includes Sheeran's signature rapid-fire, half-sung, half-rapped verses, which adds rhythmic complexity and showcases his versatility. Pharrell's production is evident in the polished, danceable beat and his distinct ad-libbed backing vocals that punctuate the track. The song's structure relies on a catchy, repetitive guitar hook and a driving beat that makes it instantly memorable and danceable, a deliberate move away from his acoustic ballad comfort zone.

What is Ed Sheeran's song 'Sing' about?

'Sing' is about a spontaneous and intense romantic encounter during a night out, reportedly inspired by an experience in Las Vegas. The lyrics convey a story of instant chemistry, urging a love interest to let go of inhibitions and embrace the passionate connection between them.

Who produced and co-wrote 'Sing' with Ed Sheeran?

The multi-talented artist Pharrell Williams co-wrote and produced 'Sing'. He also provided his signature uncredited backing vocals and ad-libs throughout the track, heavily influencing its funky, R&B sound.

Was 'Sing' influenced by Justin Timberlake?

Yes, Ed Sheeran has explicitly stated that 'Sing' was directly inspired by Justin Timberlake's music. He cited Timberlake's albums 'Justified' and 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' as major influences for the song's R&B and pop style.

When was 'Sing' by Ed Sheeran released?

'Sing' was released on April 7, 2014, as the lead single from his second studio album, '×' (pronounced 'Multiply').

What genre is the song 'Sing'?

'Sing' is primarily categorized as an R&B and pop song, with strong funk influences. This marked a significant departure from the folk-pop and acoustic style of his debut album.

How did 'Sing' perform on the charts?

'Sing' was a major commercial success. It became Ed Sheeran's first-ever UK number-one single and also reached the top spot in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland. It peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

What is the story behind the music video for 'Sing'?

The music video follows a puppet caricature of Ed Sheeran on a wild night out. The puppet gets drunk, sings karaoke, visits a strip club, and eventually picks up the real Ed Sheeran and Pharrell Williams from a studio. The concept was loosely based on a debaucherous night out Sheeran had.