Ed Sheeran Azizam Explained: Lyrics, Sound, and Meaning

Ed Sheeran’s new single Azizam was released on 4 April 2025 and runs just 2 minutes and 42 seconds.

It’s the first taste of his upcoming album Play, and while it doesn’t reinvent his sound, it shows he’s ready to do something a little different without leaving behind what people expect from him.

After two quieter albums (Subtract and Autumn Variations), Sheeran sounds more relaxed and confident.

The production feels brighter, and vocally, he’s in good shape. This isn’t a massive departure, but it’s clear he’s having fun again.

What Does Azizam Mean?

“Azizam” is a Farsi word that translates to “my dear” or “my beloved.”The song takes inspiration from Persian culture and was sparked by a suggestion from producer Ilya Salmanzadeh, who wanted to reflect his Iranian heritage.

The lyrics are a tribute to Sheeran’s wife, and the tone is affectionate, casual, and easy to connect with.

It fits into Sheeran’s long-running theme of writing from a personal, relationship-driven lens—but here, the cultural framing adds a wider emotional texture.

The Sound of Azizam: A Sound That Flirts With the Exotic but Settles on the Familiar

The track mixes Sheeran’s usual acoustic pop with traditional a mix of South Indian and Persian instruments like the ghatam, daf, santoor, and hammered dulcimer.

These additions add depth and colour to the background without overpowering the arrangement. You’ll hear group vocals, shimmering synths, and a post-chorus hook designed for repetition.

There’s a slight electronic pulse running under the melody, and the rhythm is mid-tempo and steady, made for summer playlists and casual dancing.

And yet, despite the instrumentation, this still sounds unmistakably like an Ed Sheeran song.

There’s a touch of Michael Jackson in the rhythm, a bit of early 2000s boyband sheen in the vocal layers, and the acoustic guitar remains the spine of the production.

The Guardian called it “incredibly English” despite the cultural nods—and that’s fair. It’s a global reference wrapped in a Sheeran-style delivery​.

The strongest moment might be the post-chorus. It’s simple, repetitive, and undeniably sticky: “Be mine, be mine, azizam.”

Line-by-Line Breakdown of Azizam Lyrics

[Chorus]
“Meet me on the floor tonight / Show me how to move like the water / In between the dancin’ lights”
This sets the scene. It’s night-time, it’s carefree, and the focus is physical connection. The dancing lights could be club lights or city lights—he keeps it vague enough for it to feel universal.

[Verse 1]
“I wanna be nowhere but here with you now / I wanna be one in the space”
The verses stick to simple ideas: presence, closeness, and being absorbed in a moment.

“Tangled and wrapped in your cloud / Close to your face”
A soft, sensory image. The “cloud” could be metaphorical for someone’s aura, or just the feeling of being so close you lose track of where one person ends and the other begins.

[Pre-Chorus]
“Tomorrow can wait, losin’ time in this place / I don’t care what they say, we can do it our way”
Classic Sheeran messaging—personal freedom, tuning out the outside world, and doing things the way that feels right for the people involved.

[Post-Chorus]
“Azizam / Be mine, be mine, azizam”
The title comes in as a gentle chant. The repetition works. It’s not overthought—it’s instinctive, and it sticks.

[Verse 2]
“I wanna get lost in your ocean and drown / I wanna be careless and free”
The imagery builds on the earlier lines. He keeps returning to themes of being immersed in someone else, letting go of structure or control.

“I wanna live here in the moment we found / I wanna be all that you see”
This is one of the most open lines. It reads like a hope rather than a demand—he wants to be enough.

The Story Behind Azizam by Ed Sheeran

Sheeran debuted Azizam in New Orleans during a pop-up performance with the Soul Rebels brass band.

He later shared a snippet on YouTube, giving fans an early taste before the official release.

The studio version includes instrumentation from Persian and Indian musicians, as well as background vocals from the Citizens of the World Choir, a group of refugees and their allies.

This blend is part of Sheeran’s ongoing effort to draw from different cultures while still writing about personal, emotional themes.

Producer Ilya Salmanzadeh was the creative spark behind the song. “It was like opening a door to a completely new and exciting world,” Sheeran said. “Music connects us all, and really is a universal language.”

Azizam Music Video: What’s Out, What’s Coming

A music video featuring British-Iranian comedian Omid Djalili was filmed in South London and includes a wedding scene.

However, as of now, this video has not been released. Instead, on April 4, 2025, Sheeran released a “Pink Heart” video, filmed in various U.S. cities and Ipswich, England, during his promotional tour.

This video captures Sheeran holding a pink, heart-shaped balloon, symbolising the song’s romantic theme.

The visuals match the lightness of the track—there’s no heavy symbolism, just a playful vibe to go with the music.

How the Song’s Been Received

Fans seem happy to hear Sheeran back in this space. Many have called it a return to form, praising its simplicity and energy.

A review clip from a fan’s first reaction video sums it up: “That Persian influence there—yeah. Super fun. I want an extended version.”​

Critics have been a bit more cautious. The BBC praised the cultural experiment, noting how the Middle Eastern influence may give Sheeran a new foothold with global listeners​. 

The Guardian pointed out that the Persian sounds feel more like seasoning than substance—but admitted the hook is undeniably sticky​.

A Short Song with a Long Tail

Azizam isn’t groundbreaking, and it’s not trying to be. It’s short, catchy, and made for warm evenings and easy listening.

There’s a lot going on behind the scenes—from global instruments to choir vocals—but the final product is as straightforward as it gets.

Ed Sheeran isn’t rewriting the rules here. He’s just loosening up, leaning into melody, and maybe having more fun than he’s had in a while. That’s enough to make this worth a listen—and probably a repeat.

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Ed Sheeran Azizam Lyrics

Chorus
Azizam
Meet me on the floor tonight
Show me how to move like the water
In between the dancin’ lights
Be mine, be mine, azizam

Verse 1
I wanna be nowhere but here with you now
I wanna be one in the space
I wanna be tangled and wrapped in your cloud
I wanna be close to your face

Pre-Chorus
Well, tomorrow can wait, losin’ time in this place
Till the sun is awake, be like a magnet on me
I don’t care what they say, we can do it our way
And if love’s just a game, thеn come and play

Chorus
Azizam
Meet me on the floor tonight
Show mе how to move like the water
In between the dancin’ lights
Be mine, be mine, azizam

Post-Chorus
Azizam
Azizam

Verse 2
I wanna get lost in your ocean and drown
I wanna be careless and free
I wanna live here in the moment we found
I wanna be all that you see

Pre-Chorus
Well, tomorrow can wait, losin’ time in this place
Till the sun is awake, be like a magnet on me
I don’t care what they say, we can do it our way
And if love’s just a game, then come and play

Chorus
Azizam
Meet me on the floor tonight
Show me how to move like the water
In between the dancin’ lights
Be mine, be mine, azizam
Meet me on the floor tonight
Show me how to move like the water
In between the dancin’ lights
Be mine, be mine, azizam

Post-Chorus
Azizam
Azizam