Ed Sheeran’s new single “Eyes Closed” tributes to his late friend Jamal

Last Updated on October 3, 2023 by SPN Editor

The British singer and songwriter Ed Sheeran return back with painful music in memory of his friend Jamal and of course his wife’s health issues which are killing him from within.

Ed Sheeran frequently draws upon his own life experiences to compose music that evokes a profound emotional response from his fans.

However, his latest single ‘Eyes Closed’ holds a much deeper meaning as it is dedicated to his late friend Jamal Edwards.

The Loss of a Friend

Jamal Edwards was a music producer who gave Ed Sheeran his first big break in the music industry. He was also Ed’s best friend. In February 2022, Jamal passed away at the young age of 31, following a cardiac arrest caused by cocaine and alcohol.

The tragic news came at a time when Ed’s pregnant wife Cherry Seaborn was also going through a health scare, having discovered a tumor with no route to treatment until after the birth.

Ed Sheeran’s Emotional Journey

In a sneak peek for his upcoming Disney+ documentary ‘The Sum of it All’, Ed Sheeran opens up about the difficult times he faced. The documentary shows footage of Ed breaking down in tears as he mourns the loss of his friend Jamal. In the clip, Ed also talks about his wife Cherry’s health scare and how it affected him.

The Unlikely Road to Stardom

The documentary also looks back at Ed’s journey to becoming a global superstar. The ‘Shape of You’ singer reminisces about his younger days and how unlikely it was for a “small” and “ginger” boy with a stutter to achieve such fame. Ed credits Jamal for being the one who believed in him and supported him throughout his career.

Turning Pain into Music

Ed Sheeran is renowned for his unparalleled talent in harnessing his emotional state into his musical creations. He has time and again leveraged his personal encounters to compose music that profoundly connects with his ardent listeners.”

In the documentary, he explains how he wrote about his pain and loss after Jamal’s death. The new single ‘Eyes Closed’ is a tribute to his late friend and talks about the pain of losing someone and how certain things can bring back memories and intensify the pain.

In a recent Instagram post, Ed Sheeran provided insights into the inspiration behind his latest song, stating, “This track delves into the profound emotion of losing someone – the overwhelming feeling of constantly hoping to encounter them again, being constantly reminded of the memories shared and experiences enjoyed together.”

Ed Sheeran missed Jamal in the Trailer

In the latest trailer for his upcoming Disney+ documentary ‘The Sum of It All’, Ed Sheeran reflects on his improbable journey to fame – from a young, shy, and red-haired boy struggling with a stutter to a global sensation. “That guy doesn’t grow up to be a pop star,” he remarks, acknowledging the unlikelihood of his success.

The trailer also features Ed reminiscing about his breakthrough moment and the person who believed in him from the start – Jamal, whose encouragement propelled Ed’s career to new heights. “You have to wait for someone to say that’s great, and for me, that’s Jamal. And then the successes started happening,” Ed reveals.

Final Thoughts

Ed Sheeran’s upcoming Disney+ documentary ‘The Sum of it All’ promises to be an emotional journey that will take fans through the highs and lows of the singer’s life. From his unlikely road to stardom to the loss of his friend Jamal, the documentary promises to be an intimate look into the singer’s life.

The new single ‘Eyes Closed’ is a poignant tribute to his late friend and will surely resonate with fans who have experienced loss and griefed within the last 36 months.

The documentary is set to be released on May 3rd on Disney+.