I See Fire
"I See Fire" is a song by the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was commissioned for the soundtrack of the 2013 film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, where it was played over the closing credits. The Hobbit director, Peter Jackson, asked Sheeran to write a song for the movie after Jackson's daughter, Katie, suggested Sheeran. Sheeran saw the film, wrote the song, and recorded most of the track elements on the same day.
"I See Fire"
The song was released as a digital download on 5 November 2013. Its music video was released the same day. It entered the UK Singles Chart at number 13 and reached number one in New Zealand on its sixth week, Sheeran's first number-one single there. "I See Fire" was nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Original Song.
Background[edit]
"I See Fire" plays over the first section of the closing credits of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug,[1] an epic fantasy adventure film directed by New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson. Released on 13 December 2013, it is the second installment in the three-part film series based on the novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien.[1] The Hobbit follows the quest of a home-loving hobbit, a fictional, diminutive humanoid, to win a share of the treasure guarded by the dragon, Smaug.
Sheeran has a lifelong devotion to the novel of Tolkien.[2] His grandfather owns a first edition copy. It was the first book Sheeran's father read to him as a child,[2] and the first book that he read himself.[3] On 5 November 2013, Sheeran announced his involvement in the soundtrack in a series of online posts, which included his thanking Jackson for the opportunity.[3] He is also a fan of Jackson's films.[4]
Jackson was introduced to Sheeran's music by his daughter, Katie,[5] who attended Sheeran's concert in Wellington, New Zealand, in March 2013.[4] Jackson, having learned Sheeran's regard toward his films,[5] met him over lunch the following day where they exchanged email addresses.[4]
In late 2013, Jackson and Fran Walsh, who co-produced and co-wrote the film, were searching for an artist who would write and record the song. Following Katie's advice, they decided to tap Sheeran.[6] Jackson sent a message to Sheeran, who was in the Mediterranean island of Ibiza attending a wedding ceremony,[5][7] asking if he would be interested in the project, which Sheeran accepted. Departing from London, Sheeran and his manager, Stuart, arrived in Wellington within 48 hours.[6]
Single and video release[edit]
"I See Fire" was released on 5 November 2013 through iTunes, initially in the United States and then worldwide within the next 36 hours.[11] It was later released on 10 December 2013 as part of the film's soundtrack, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, through WaterTower Music and Decca Records.[12] Sheeran released "I See Fire" while on tour in support of his debut album; it was the first solo record that he released, two years since his last. Initially, the track was announced as a non-inclusion in his next album,[3] subsequently titled x. However, it appeared on the deluxe edition of that album. Sheeran announced the inclusion on 9 April 2014.[13]
The official music video for "I See Fire" directed by Shane Ramirez premiered on 5 November 2013, along with the release of the song. The video shows Sheeran performing and recording the vocals,[9] the songwriting and recording of live instruments, behind the scenes,[6] all throughout interspersed with shots from the film. The footage which shows Sheeran performing and recording the song is shot in black-and-white, while the rest shown in full color.[14] The video, which is uploaded in the Warner Bros. Pictures channel in YouTube, had accumulated over 114 million views as of December 2021, making it the most popular video on their channel.
Cover versions[edit]
The American singer-songwriter Peter Hollens recorded a version of the song. Hollens had previously recorded "Misty Mountain" off the soundtrack for the first installment of The Hobbit series. His version of "I See Fire" features "98 different sound tracks" layered onto "8–14 vocal parts" that Hollens recorded.[36]
The Norwegian DJ and record producer Kygo released a remixed version of the song which became popular.[37] Kygo's success is attributed largely to the reception of his remixed version of "I See Fire".[38] Less than two years later, the remix had been played 26 million times on SoundCloud.[39] As of May 2018, the version has been played over 62 million times on SoundCloud.[40]
The New Zealand musical trio Sol3 Mio released a cover version of "I See Fire" in support of New Zealand's participation at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[41]
German band Feuerschwanz released a Folk Metal cover of the song in 2020.[42]