Nina (Ed Sheeran song)

Last updated

"Nina"
Song by Ed Sheeran
from the album x
Released20 June 2014 (2014-06-20)
Genre
Length3:45
Label
Songwriter(s) Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid
Producer(s) Jake Gosling

"Nina" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and Northern Irish singer Johnny McDaid. It was recorded by the former for his second studio album, x (2014), and it appeared as the sixth track. [1] The song was produced by Jake Gosling. "Nina" samples elements of "Welcome to My World" by Wretch 32, written by Jermaine Scott, Isra Andja-Diumi Lohata and Jay Lee Robert Hippolyte.

Contents

Background

Sheeran wrote this with Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol when the pair first got together in 2013 in Nashville, Tennessee to work on tracks for Sheeran's then-upcoming studio album "x". "The first song we wrote together was 'Nina,' a love song about heartbreak, both self-inflicted and otherwise, where he basically calls someone up and advises her not to be with him," McDaid told Billboard magazine. "That sort of self-deprecating diary is pretty honest. Most people are fearful of being naked in front of the world, and afraid to expose their weaknesses. Ed isn't."[ citation needed ]

The pair became close friends and moved to Los Angeles together to continue working on x. Sheeran introduced McDaid to Courteney Cox, who became the girlfriend of the Snow Patrol member. Sheeran penned this about Scottish singer-songwriter Nina Nesbitt, who toured with him and also had a small cameo role in his "Drunk" video. The pair were also romantically involved for around a year. Sheeran explained during a Spotify track by track: "When you're a musician and you date someone, there's always an in-between. Like, you put your family and your friends first, always, and then your career second. But when you date someone, they kind of fall in between the family and friends and career, and you don't really know whether they're more important than the career or whether they're more important than family - so this is a song about that."[ citation needed ]

"You just need to find someone that's OK with it, and I think by the time you have kids, that's when your family comes first, and that's where the woman comes, because she's your family now," he added. "I think kids change everything, but up until then it's different. My family understand I had to go away for 12 months last year, but until you find a partner who'd happy with that, you shouldn't even bother. Well, you shouldn't bother committing." The song is based on a sample of the piano from Wretch 32's "Welcome To My World," which is a track from the British rapper's third mixtape, Retrospective. [2]

Critical reception

In a Billboard track-by-track review, writer Jason Lipshutz stated: "Following the quick name-check of Stevie Wonder and Bon Iver's "Re: Stacks," Sheeran once again tries to hide away from the world with a girl, but the (music) world keeps pulling him away from love. With descending piano notes and a rollicking pop hook, this one should be earmarked as a future single." [3]

Composition

"Nina" is written in the key of F-sharp minor with the tempo of 92 BPM. [4]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from x album liner notes: [5]

Charts

Chart (2014)Peak
position
Ireland (IRMA) [6] 75
UK Singles (Official Charts Company) [7] 57

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [8] Gold40,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI) [9] Gold400,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny McDaid</span> Northern Irish musician and producer (born 1976)

John McDaid is a singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer from Northern Ireland. He is a member of the band Snow Patrol and has written songs with artists including Ed Sheeran, P!nk, and Robbie Williams.

Jake Nathan Gosling is an English record producer and songwriter. Best known for his production work for English singer Ed Sheeran, he has also been credited on releases for acts including Lady Gaga, The Libertines, James Bay, Shawn Mendes, All Time Low, One Direction, Major Lazer, Christina Perri, Shania Twain, 5 Seconds of Summer, Paloma Faith, and Wiley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Need Me, I Don't Need You</span> 2011 single by Ed Sheeran

"You Need Me, I Don't Need You" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released in the United Kingdom on 26 August 2011 as the second single from his debut studio album, + ("Plus").

<i>+</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Ed Sheeran

+ ("Plus") is the debut studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 9 September 2011 by Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album is considered Sheeran's commercial breakthrough. He previously released five EPs independently. Jake Gosling and Sheeran produced the majority of the album, with additional production by American hip hop producer No I.D.

"Tenerife Sea" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was written by Sheeran, Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol, and Foy Vance, and produced by Rick Rubin. The song was released on 20 June 2014 as part of his second studio album, x. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 93 and peaked at number 62.

<i>x</i> (Ed Sheeran album) 2014 Ed Sheeran album, pronounced multiply

x is the second studio album by English singer-songwriter, Ed Sheeran. It was released on 20 June 2014 in Australia and New Zealand, and worldwide on 23 June through Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. The album received positive reviews from music critics. It was an international commercial success, peaking at No. 1 in 15 countries, while topping both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200. x also reached the top five in seven other countries and was the best selling album of 2014 in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Five singles were released from the album: "Sing", "Don't", "Thinking Out Loud", "Bloodstream", and "Photograph".

"One" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, x (2014). Sheeran wrote the song immediately after releasing his debut album, + (2011). It marked the last occasion wherein Sheeran wrote about his former girlfriend, who inspired all the romantic compositions on +. "One" was produced by frequent collaborator Jake Gosling and its music was based primarily on acoustic guitar. Critics were generally positive toward the song; it was noted for its guitar-driven sound and Sheeran's use of falsetto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thinking Out Loud</span> 2014 single by Ed Sheeran

"Thinking Out Loud" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran recorded for his second studio album, × (2014). It was written by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, and produced by frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. It was released in the US on 14 August 2014 as the album's third single.

"I'm a Mess" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, x (2014). It features production from frequent collaborator Jake Gosling. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 72 and rose to number 49 due to strong download sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afire Love</span> 2014 song

"Afire Love" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, × (2014). The song is about Sheeran's late grandfather who suffered from Alzheimer's disease. The record, which was produced by Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid, samples elements of "Remembering Jenny" composed by Christophe Beck for the soundtrack to the American television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bloodstream (song)</span> 2014 song by Ed Sheeran

"Bloodstream" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his second studio album, × (2014). It was written by Sheeran, Rudimental, and Snow Patrol members Johnny McDaid and Gary Lightbody, and produced by Rick Rubin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Photograph (Ed Sheeran song)</span> 2015 single by Ed Sheeran

"Photograph" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his second studio album, × (2014). Sheeran wrote the song with Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid, who had a piano loop from which the composition developed. After recording several versions with other producers, Sheeran eventually solicited help from Jeff Bhasker; the collaboration generated a version that Bhasker further enhanced for months. The ballad derives its music primarily from an acoustic guitar, piano and programmed drums. With visually descriptive lyrics, it discusses a long-distance relationship inspired by Sheeran's own experience of being away from his then-girlfriend while he was on tour.

"Eraser" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his third studio album ÷ (2017). Serving as the opening track of the album, it was written and produced by Sheeran and Johnny McDaid. After the album's release, it charted at number 14 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Runaway" is a song written by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran and American rapper and singer Pharrell Williams then it was recorded by the former for his second studio album, x (2014) which appeared as the ninth track. The song was produced solely by Pharrell Williams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Visiting Hours (song)</span> 2021 promotional single by Ed Sheeran

"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.

<i>=</i> (album) 2021 studio album by Ed Sheeran

= ("Equals") is the fifth studio album by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 29 October 2021 through Asylum and Atlantic Records. The album was supported by five singles: "Bad Habits", "Shivers", "Overpass Graffiti", "The Joker and the Queen", and "2step". The song "Visiting Hours" was released as a promotional single.

"Tides" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It is the first track on his fifth studio album, = (2021). It was written and produced by Sheeran, Johnny McDaid and Foy Vance with Joe Rubel as its additional producer. After the album's release, it charted at number 43, 63, 169, 83, and 75 on Australia, Canada, France, South Africa and Sweden, respectively as well as charting at number 68 on the Global 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Joker and the Queen</span> 2022 single by Ed Sheeran featuring Taylor Swift

"The Joker and the Queen" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, taken from his fifth studio album, =, that was released on 29 October 2021 by Asylum and Atlantic Records. Sheeran wrote and produced the song with Johnny McDaid, Fred, and Sam Roman. A duet version of the song, featuring American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, was released on 11 February 2022 as the album's fourth single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Overpass Graffiti</span> 2021 single by Ed Sheeran

"Overpass Graffiti" is a song by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released through Asylum and Atlantic Records on 29 October 2021, as the third single from his fifth studio album, = (2021). It was written and produced by Sheeran, Johnny McDaid and Fred.

"First Times" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran from his fifth studio album = (2021), appearing as the third track on its tracklisting. It was written and produced by Sheeran, Johnny McDaid and Fred Again. After the album's release, it charted at number 31, 50, 33, 126, 27, and 52 on Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, New Zealand and Sweden, respectively as well as charting at number 48 on the Global 200.

References

  1. ↑ "Ed Sheeran Shares 'x' Track List". Billboard . 9 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  2. ↑ "Nina by Ed Sheeran". Songfacts. 9 April 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  3. ↑ "Ed Sheeran, 'x': Track-By-Track Review". Billboard . 23 June 2014. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  4. ↑ "Nina". musicnotes. 21 April 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  5. ↑ x (Deluxe Edition Compact Disc liner notes). Ed Sheeran. Warner Music. 2014.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  6. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 28, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  7. ↑ "Official Singles Chart UK Top 100 - 6th July 2014". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  8. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Nina". Music Canada . Retrieved 6 October 2024.
  9. ↑ "British single certifications – Ed Sheeran – Nina". British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved 6 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.