"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.

[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.

[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.

"[8] Capturing his reaction to watching the film,[5] Sheeran immediately began writing the lyrics "from the perspective of being a dwarf".

[2] Sheeran revealed he was given complete freedom in the creative process, while receiving ready inputs from Jackson and his co-filmmakers.

[6] Flight of the Conchords' touring cellist Nigel Collins added cello parts as dictated by Sheeran.

[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.

[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 footage which shows Sheeran performing and recording the song is shot in black-and-white, while the rest shown in full color.

In his review of the single, Nick Catucci of the Entertainment Weekly stated that although looming in the song is a "flame-broiled disaster", Sheeran "keeps his strumming cool, and a hopeful flame burning for Bilbo".

[15] For Rolling Stone, Ryan Reed wrote: "The haunting track is right in line with Sheeran's trademark style, filled with dramatic crooning and quiet acoustic guitars.

[25] The British Phonographic Industry certified the single silver on 26 December 2014, denoting sales of 400,000 units.

[29] It has been certified two-time platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association, denoting sales of 140,000 copies as of 2014.

[33][34] The Guardian columnist Tim Dowling suggests that the report is an indication of "very popular, slightly mellow songs that keep cropping up on sleep playlists" but not a list of a "carefully curated journey to unconsciousness".

His version of "I See Fire" features "98 different sound tracks" layered onto "8–14 vocal parts" that Hollens recorded.