Another year, another Valentine’s Day. A day meant for love and affection and yet, here I am without even a “Galentine’s Day” to keep my love going. Instead, Ed Sheeran’s voice is my sweet relief as he is a master at telling a story – a love story, mostly – through his lyrics that almost everything can relate to; lyrics that will probably make your heart wrench. There is an intensity to the way he sings that makes you feel connected and less lonely when it comes on your Spotify. Anyway, these are my three favorite romantic Ed Sheeran songs. Here’s to another Valentine’s Day.
One – Ed Sheeran
The first time I heard this song, all I thought was, “Wow.” To be quite honest, this has been one of my personal favorites since day one. Opening with the delicate acoustic guitar notably linked with Sheeran, “One” has a strikingly beautiful sense of vulnerability through engaging lyrics, letting each line spill into the next. There is a sad resonance that he is singing about a friend he loves but can do nothing about or else he’d ruin the friendship. It hits home on so many levels, it feels right to play the song on repeat.
Favorite Lyrics: Take my hand and my heart and soul/I will only have these eyes for you.
Tenerife Sea – Ed Sheeran
Every time I listen to this song, the first word that comes to my mind is sweet. This song sounds like summer – soft, lush, and purely sweet. Ed Sheeran explained that “neither of us wanted to be [at the Grammy’s] – you just want to be with this one person” and that is how “Tenerife Sea” came to be. It’s a simple, yet beautiful song about noticing small things about your significant other – like the way hair falls or how they look in an outfit – and wanting to be with them completely. There is a certain innocence between the strumming, the lyrics, and the execution that creates such a delicate composition.
Favorite Lyrics: And all of the voices surrounding us here/They just fade out when you take a breath.
Perfect – Ed Sheeran
If you want that perfect Valentine’s Day song, this is it; this song is perfect – not even sorry for the pun. Sheeran has a passion in which you can tell every word is true; the lyrics so personal and enthralling. Even though the song started out as just guitar, the added instruments are simple and compelling, yet compliment his voice exquisitely. What’s even better about this song is that each chorus in this song is just a smidge different and all the minor changes create a powerful progression throughout. This song has more emotion in four and a half minutes than I have shown to anyone in my life. I am absolutely in love with this song like Sheeran is in love with his school sweetheart – absolutely perfect.
Favorite Lyrics: But darling, just kiss me slow/Your heart is all I own.
