"Boat" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 21 April 2023 through Asylum and Atlantic Records as the second single from his fifth studio album, ("Subtract"). Sheeran wrote the song with producer Aaron Dessner.[1]

"Boat"
Single by Ed Sheeran
from the album
Released21 April 2023 (2023-04-21)
Length3:05
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)Aaron Dessner
Ed Sheeran singles chronology
"Eyes Closed"
(2023)
"Boat"
(2023)
"Life Goes On"
(2023)
Music video
"Boat" on YouTube

Background and promotion

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Sheeran announced the song alongside the album on 1 March 2023, setting up several pre-order opportunities.[2] On 17 April, he shared a preview of the song on his socials, with a clip of its accompanying music video, in which he said that it was the first song that he had recorded for his new album.[3]

Composition and lyrics

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In a press release on the same day that the song was released, Sheeran used the song serves as "a metaphor for depression; a track that combats the struggles of feeling very low and not knowing how to break the cycle".[4] The song is led by a soft guitar melody, in which he shows his emotional strength as he sings on the chorus: "The more that I love, the less that I feel / The times that I jumped never were real / They say that all scars will heal, but I know / Maybe, I won't / But the waves won't break my boat / But the waves won't brеak my boat".[5]

Music video

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The official music video for "Boat", directed by Mia Barnes, was released alongside the song on 21 April 2023. It sees Sheeran around waves in a beach in the United Kingdom.[6] When he enters the ocean, he gets swallowed by the waves as he tries to go to the shore.[7]

Charts

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Chart performance for "Boat"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[8] 48
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[9] 71
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[10] 42
Global 200 (Billboard)[11] 125
Ireland (IRMA)[12] 21
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[13] 86
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[14] 23
South Korea BGM (Circle)[15] 38
South Korea Download (Circle)[16] 126
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[17] 69
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[18] 35
UK Singles (OCC)[19] 15
US Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles (Billboard)[20] 20

References

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  1. ^ Aniftos, Rania (21 April 2023). "Ed Sheeran Captures Life's Dark Moments With New Single 'Boat': Stream It Now". Billboard. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  2. ^ Beaumont-Thomas, Ben (1 March 2023). "New Ed Sheeran album, Subtract, informed by 'fear, depression and anxiety'". The Guardian. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  3. ^ Rowley, Glenn (17 April 2023). "Ed Sheeran Previews 'Subtract' Single 'Boat': Here's When It Arrives". Billboard. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  4. ^ Singh, Surej (21 April 2023). "Watch Ed Sheeran get engulfed by waves in music video for new single, 'Boat'". NME. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  5. ^ Gonzalez, Alex (21 April 2023). "Ed Sheeran Weathers A Harrowing Storm On His New Song, 'Boat'". Uproxx. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  6. ^ Zemler, Emily (21 April 2023). "Ed Sheeran Struggles With Depression in Poignant New Single 'Boat'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  7. ^ Sacal, Andrea (21 April 2023). "Ed Sheeran Is Swallowed By Waves In "Boat" Music Video". Hypebeast. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Boat". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  10. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  11. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
  12. ^ "Official Irish Singles Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  13. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Boat" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  14. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Boat". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 13 May 2023.
  15. ^ "BGM Chart – Week 16 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  16. ^ "Download Chart – Week 18 of 2023". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved 11 May 2023.
  17. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Boat". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  18. ^ "Ed Sheeran – Boat". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
  19. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 12 May 2023.
  20. ^ "Ed Sheeran Chart History (Bubbling Under Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved 16 May 2023.