
The Heartwarming and Emotional Meaning Behind Visiting Hours by Ed Sheeran
Table of Contents
Introduction
Ed Sheeran, the Grammy-winning artist, has always been known for his soulful lyrics and melodies that touch our hearts. This time he has done it again with his recent release “Visiting Hours”. The song is an ode to his friend and mentor, Michael Gudinski, who passed away earlier this year. The track is a beautiful tribute that showcases Sheeran’s emotional depth while providing a sense of closure to his friend’s passing.
Background on Michael Gudinski and Ed Sheeran’s Friendship
Michael Gudinski was an Australian music businessman and founding chairman of the Mushroom Group. Gudinski was instrumental in launching the careers of some of Australia’s most successful musicians, including Kylie Minogue and Cold Chisel. He even pushed for Australian legislation to help in the recognition of the music industry, which earned him an Order of Australia in 2006.
However, it was his friendship with Ed Sheeran that brought him more into the public spotlight. The two met when Sheeran was touring Australia and stayed at Gudinski’s house. Since then, they have been great friends, and Gudinski even helped catapult Sheeran’s career in Australia. Gudinski was one of the first people to believe in Sheeran’s music, and they remained friends until Gudinski’s untimely death in March 2021.
The Lyrics and Meaning Behind Visiting Hours
The song starts with Sheeran reflecting on his life, wondering whether he has done enough to leave a lasting impact. He talks about his fear of not being remembered and the uncertainty of what happens after we die. As the song progresses, the listener realizes that Sheeran is in a hospital and is visiting his dying friend, Michael Gudinski.
The chorus is a beautiful tribute to Gudinski, where Sheeran sings, “So won’t you say hello to the others? They’ll be singing: ‘We love you, love you.’ Yeah, they’ll be singing: ‘We love you, love you,’ all around the world now. I’m thinking of you and I’ll see you soon.” The “others” in the lyrics are referring to other people Sheeran has lost, like his grandmother and friend Freddie.
The bridge of the song shows Sheeran opening up his heart about the pain of losing a loved one. He sings, “So call me if you need a friend.” The message is resonant and affirms the idea that when we lose someone we care about, it’s okay to lean on others for comfort.
The Inspiration Behind Visiting Hours
According to an interview with Nova Radio, Sheeran states that he wrote the song in under an hour while he was on a break from his tour. He explains that the day before, he visited Michael Gudinski in the hospital, and the song is the conversation he wished they could have had had Gudinski been awake. Sheeran goes on to say that he wanted to inspire people to have open conversations about death and grief, and show gratitude to the people they love while they are still here.
The Impact of the Song on Audience and Sheeran’s Fans
The song has brought people to tears with its honesty and beauty. Sheeran’s fans and supporters have come forward to say that they relate to the song and that it has helped them deal with their grief or even reach out to their loved ones. Several fans have shared on social media how much the song has helped them in their healing process.
The track has been streamed over 6 million times on Spotify and has been added to several popular playlists like Today’s Top Hits, The A-List: Pop, and Easy. The strong and positive reception of Visiting Hours has assisted in igniting a conversation around grief and loss.
Conclusion
The loss of a loved one can be excruciating and can take a toll emotionally and mentally. Ed Sheeran’s Visiting Hours provides us with a way to process and deal with the pain of losing someone. The track showcases how powerful music can be and how it can bring people together to provide comradery and comfort. It is a reminder that we need to cherish every moment with the people we love, and tell them how much they mean to us while they are still alive.
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