Loading AI tools
2021 promotional single by Ed Sheeran From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Visiting Hours" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 19 August 2021 as the promotional single from his fifth studio album, =, the same day he announced the album. The song was produced by Sheeran and Johnny McDaid.[1]
"Visiting Hours" | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Promotional single by Ed Sheeran | |
from the album = | |
Released | 19 August 2021 |
Genre | Folk-pop |
Length | 3:35 |
Label | |
Songwriter(s) |
|
Producer(s) |
|
Music Video | |
"Visiting Hours" on YouTube |
On 2 March 2021, Australian music promoter Michael Gudinski died at the age of 68. Sheeran first performed "Visiting Hours" at Gudinski's funeral on 24 March 2021 as a tribute to him in Australia, delivering an emotional performance.[2] Gudinski's close friends and fellow musicians, Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Barnes, as well as comedian Jimmy Carr, provide backing vocals on the song. He finished the song during his two weeks of mandatory quarantine because of COVID-19 rules due to his decision to travel to Australia. On 19 August 2021, Sheeran released the song as a promotional single and announced the album.[3] A live performance video, which was filmed in St. Stephen's Church in Hampstead, London, was also released with the song.[4] Sheeran stated that he "finished writing this song going through proper grief for the first time, and for me its one of the most important songs on =".[5]
Lyrically, "Visiting Hours" is an ode to the late Michael Gudinski, an Australian music promoter. In the first verse, Sheeran makes a reference to his daughter, Lyra Seaborn Sheeran, wishing that Gudinski had got to meet her: "I wish that Heaven had visiting hours / So I could just show up and bring the news / That she's getting older and I wish that you'd met her / The things that she'll learn from me, I got them all from you".[6]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[7]
Chart (2021) | Peak position |
---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[8] | 3 |
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[9] | 28 |
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[10] | 31 |
Canada AC (Billboard)[11] | 40 |
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[12] | 51 |
Denmark (Tracklisten)[13] | 16 |
Euro Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[14] | 2 |
France (SNEP)[15] | 169 |
Germany (Official German Charts)[16] | 46 |
Global 200 (Billboard)[17] | 21 |
Ireland (IRMA)[18] | 8 |
Italy (FIMI)[19] | 68 |
Lithuania (AGATA)[20] | 44 |
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[21] | 52 |
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[22] | 11 |
Norway (VG-lista)[23] | 9 |
Portugal (AFP)[24] | 86 |
Singapore (RIAS)[25] | 24 |
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[26] | 33 |
South Africa (TOSAC)[27] | 26 |
South Korea (Gaon)[28] | 183 |
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[29] | 16 |
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[30] | 8 |
UK Singles (OCC)[31] | 5 |
US Billboard Hot 100[32] | 75 |
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA)[33] | Gold | 35,000‡ |
Canada (Music Canada)[34] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[35] | Gold | 45,000‡ |
Italy (FIMI)[36] | Gold | 50,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI)[37] | Platinum | 600,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.