Ed Sheeran will release the first single from his upcoming album "Subtract" next Friday.  The song is called "Eyes Closed", and it's about the death of his friend Jamal Edwards.

Ed says, quote, "This song is about losing someone, feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them, and everything just reminds you of them and things you did together.

"You sorta have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss, but certain things just bring you right back into it."

He adds, quote, "Blue was Jamal's color, but now is all I feel.  I guess music helps heal, so I'm dancing with my eyes closed to try get through it."

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)