Ed Sheeran Performs 'Boat,' 'Eyes Closed' and 'Life Goes On' from 'Subtract' | On Deck

Sheeran pulls out his signature acoustic guitar to sing "Boat," "Eyes Closed," and "Life Goes On" from his newest album.

There's nothing like Ed Sheeran's vocals and a guitar. On Tuesday, Rolling Stone premiered a special episode of On Deck, featuring a performance from the magazine's recent cover story, performing three songs from his new album Subtract from Moonfire Ranch in Malibu.

The video sees Sheeran — dressed in a leather jacket and a white shirt — performing "Boat" on guitar with his eyes closed. The original recording featured Aaron Dessner, who produced Sheeran's album, playing piano.

Then, Sheeran plays "Life Goes On," the touching song about his friend Jamal Edwards, who died in February 2022 of cardiac arrhythmia brought on by cocaine use. “My best friend died,” he told Rolling Stone about his friend during a recent cover story. “And he shouldn’t have done... I’ve always had real lows in my life. But it wasn’t really till last year that I actually addressed it.”

[ericbrown]

His voice is so consistent. There’s no drop off when he’s performing live or you listen to his voice professionally recorded. His ability to sing immaculately both live and recorded is an incredible talent.

[lasammi]

Absolutely cannot wait to see him later this year. His voice is a at new level on the new. Songwriting at its finest is what Subtract is.

[SuzanaMarkovski]

Mr.Sheeran you are unbelievable and i think you know that. My bow. Greetings from Slovenia.

[kimmccallister]

I am 67.years old.He is one of my favorites.GodBless Ed

[ryanmyue]

"cool"
0:12 Boat
3:12 Life Goes On
6:24 Eyes Closed

[zazasakhat]

Ed and his music speak to my heart. Subtract is a masterpiece, and Ed is a legend.

[edhp]

Such a brilliant voice with such feeling ❤❤❤😊

[bobbieglynn]

His voice! His words! They touch my heart every time💕💕💕

[ForeverSweetx]

I'm crying. Ed has a gift of putting difficult emotions into beautiful words that capture the exact feelings one feels. And the music is transcends all language. I let my 95 year old grandpa listen to Eyes Closed & he said "Why is he crying?" Beautiful ED!

[bethanyvrooman]

This new album is just so raw and real. I’ve always liked Ed and had respect for his songwriting abilities (I’m pretty sure there’s a recording somewhere from ten years ago of me sing The A Team), but I was never a true, consistent fan of him until this album. I just connect with these songs more than I have with any of his past songs. What he went through to inspire these songs is awful for anyone to go through. But it’s real. It’s human. I connect with it. The grief he expresses is so reflective of my own grief from losing a friend who was like my brother in February of 2020. Ed just puts it into words far more eloquently than I ever could. I truly, truly appreciate the vulnerability of this album. It must have been hard to share something so personal with the world, but I’m so glad he did.

[imurph]

6:28 “The essence of his sound makes my heart soar to softer places and gives me ease”.

[alinehaubert]

I love this album so much that it's been on repeat here since it was released.

[NbaLiveever]

Love this album, I literally play it daily ❤️👏🏽🔥

[sylviafrank-sxlr]

Ed Sheeran is not just a musician, he is a visionary who pushes all boundaries ! 😊

[Mor_timer]

Thank God I get to experience Ed's music at this point in my life... he is such an amazing vibe

[lucylewis]

This song ‘ the waves won’t break my boat’ reminds me that even with the disabilities I have, that I keep fighting through the horrible pain and don’t give up because in Ed’s words, the waves won’t break my boat. I’m such a fan ! And would love you to meet me and my cats. That would be a dream come true. Ed you’re so talented 👍🏻well done

[CJoanLin]

Subtract is my favorite album. It’s deep and beautiful. Can’t stop listening to all the tracks. 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼💛💛💛

[louisegoodman]

Ed is SO PURE. We all can relate to his songs. I ABSOLUTELY cried sooo much at his Documentary recently on Disney. I Love Him 💙

[TravelwithBreezy]

This album is my playlist while driving around Ireland getting lost in small towns.

[SusanGambie]

I cant stop listening to your album, your vocals have so much feeling . these songs have so much meaning to me . I hope your ok🥰🥰🥰❤💌💌💌