Single Review: Ed Sheeran – ‘I See Fire’
2 min read
The ginger-haired singer who won over the world with his multi-platinum album + is back. Whilst it may not be music from a new album just yet, Ed Sheeran returns with an original song written and co-produced by himself for the upcoming movie The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.As well as writing the track within three days, Sheeran played all instruments involved in the song (except the cello) and learnt to play violin especially for it, which is an impressive feat for any musician.
I See Fire is both beautiful and haunting. It begins with an acapella chorus, with nothing but Sheeran’s angelic voice filling the ear of the listener. For half the song, the track has a stripped back feeling with just Sheeran’s voice and guitar. Then the violin and other instruments are gradually introduced, building to the emotion and passion felt by the end of the song. I See Fire is not a happy ballad by any means; the haunting lyrics include lines such as “And with that shadow upon the ground/I hear my people screaming out” and “If this is to end in fire/Then we shall all burn together.” This song is Ed Sheeran at his best; the emotion invested is unparalleled.
I See Fire is to be played over the closing credits, with Peter Jackson stating that the song carries the emotional resonance of the film, and provides a voice and sensibility for the audience to process what they have just experienced. Whilst the song is beautiful and passionate, it foretells a haunting, and possibly devastating, end to the movie.
