1. "I'm well aware of certain things that can destroy a man like me/ But with that said give me one more"
Let's talk about how strong this line is. Let's just take a moment to thank Ed Sheeran for talking about how difficult life can be and how some choose to preserve past all of that in order to achieve greatness. Which he has achieved, because he is a precious man that deserves the best.
2. "Had my first kiss on a Friday night, I don't reckon that I did it right/ But I was younger then, take me back to when"
No one ever forgets how they felt with those first awkward love encounters. No one forgets their first crush or their first kiss or the way that everything was simpler then as well. Who can encompass all of those sentiments in just 4 minutes and 21 seconds? Oh yeah, actual Saint Ed Sheeran, that's who.
3. "And I've been known to give my all/ And jumping in harder than/ Ten thousand rocks on the lake"
Raise your hand if you're the type that likes to give your all into everything no matter how badly you get hurt? Oh you're not? Well, Ed and I understand each other, so we can just put our raised hands all up in your face.
4. "We talk for hours and hours about the sweet and the sour/ And how your family is doing okay"
Leave it to Ed to make a song about loving a girl's body, and also make it about not only loving a girl's body. This song makes me simultaneously want to go to a club but also makes me want to cry at first date feelings. Oh Ed, you beautiful complicated man, you.
5. "We are still kids, but we're so in love/ Fighting against all odds/ I know we'll be alright this time"
The temptation to write out the entire lyrics to "Perfect" was so great. But I think my editor might wonder if I've lost it. She wouldn't be wrong. Ed Sheeran killed me with this song. Every line is almost like living a dream. It's slow dancing with your high school sweetheart and praying that it's not just a high school thing. How dare Ed write songs about my life without my consent. Just kidding, but keep doing it please.
6. "Oh, I could have that voice playing on repeat for a week/ And in this packed out room swear she was singing to me"
Ed invented a new genre of music with this song. It's called fiddle hip hop. Not a fan? Then find some culture.
7."Ain't nobody hurt you like I hurt you/ But ain't nobody love you like I do"
I like to think of this as the cousin of Adele's "Hello." As in, someone realizing what they've lost and rather than be angry at the person that's moved on, they try and learn from their mistakes. I also like to think of it as the reason why I invested in waterproof mascara.
8. "But still, I'm just keeping it real/ Still looking at your instagram and I'll be creeping a lil"
This is just relatable, what can I say? I mean who can say they don't want to write a roast song dedicated to your ex's downgrade? That's what I thought.
9. "She is the flint that sparks the lighter/ And the fuel that will hold the flame"
Get you a man who sees you as inspiration and motivation. And if you've found someone that is that for you, listen to Ed sing about the comfort of love and domesticity in this world.
10. “You know we are made up of love and hate/ But both of them are balanced on a razor blade”
Humans are complicated little creatures. Ed knows it. I know it. We have the capacity to do so many awesome things but that also means we've got the ability to be crappy. We just gotta decide what we want to do, you know?
11. “I'm feeling younger/ Every time that I'm alone with you”
My mom has always told me that true love never ages. It is never tampered with by time. Ed Sheeran understands Mama Diaz. So that's pretty freaking cool.
12.”I hope that I see the world as you did cause I know/ A life with love is a life that's been lived”
It is my honest belief that the most important thing in this life is to love and be loved. I think he understands me. I think I've never been able to put the sentiment in words, and yet here comes this little ginger genius to make it sound simple.
13. “You're like something that God has sent me/I want you, baby, solamente”
Okay, this is totally biased but Spanish is the most beautiful language on Earth and I will fight anyone who disagrees. “Barcelona” is just everything I want in life. It's traveling and dancing and speaking sultry spanish to the ones you love. What more could you want?
14. "Someone told me, 'Always say what's on your mind’/ And I am only being honest with you/ I get lonely and make mistakes from time to time”
Ed wants to remind you to not sweat the small stuff. Stuff happens, you're still alive. Things are going to be okay! Really, I need this reminder daily.
15. "I never worried about the king and crown/ 'Cause I found my heart upon the southern ground”
BREAK SOCIETY’S RULES FOR LOVE MATE. Also shoutout to William Sheeran and Nancy Mulligan for being total rebels. Your badassery gave us Ed Sheeran, so I'm pretty thankful.
16. “Oh, I'm here again/ Between the devil and the danger/ But I guess it's just my nature”
Listen, I am the worst and best person in the world. I think we all can relate. Apparently so can Ed Sheeran. “Save Yourself” is the anthem that tells you to think about yourself for once. Something that a lot of people I know need to do more often.
In short: Ed Sheeran remains great and I remain in love with him.
