Ed Sheeran, after being on a hiatus for an entire year, has made his big comeback. He blew listeners away with two, very different, songs: "Shape of You" and "Castle on the Hill". Both songs are beautiful and amazing in their own special way. "Castle on the Hill", as a college student, hit home just a little differently. Anyone who has grown up and moved away can relate to the nostalgic lyrics of the song.
[Verse 1]
“When I was six years old I broke my leg// I was running from my brother and his friends// and tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down// I was younger then...”
Times were much simpler when we were little. We didn’t care about what mess we made, and our biggest problems were as simple as running from someone just a bit bigger than us. Life was much simpler when we were younger, and things have changed a lot since then.
[Pre-Chorus 1]
“Take me back to when I// Found my heart and broke it here// Made friends and lost them through the years// I’ve not seen the roaring fields in so long, I know I’ve grown// But I can’t wait to go home”
Your hometown is filled with memories, both good and bad. You have fallen in love there and grown as a person there. You have also had your heart broken, and have been hurt there. You’ve lost yourself there just as many times as you’ve found yourself. From grade school to now, you have had countless people come in and out of your life. There are certain people who aren’t meant to be your friend for a lifetime, but you know exactly which friends will be by your side forever. With all of this, you know that it has helped you grow into the person you are today. And even though you love where you are now, you cannot wait to get back to the place that molded you, home.
[Chorus]
“I’m on my way// Driving at 90 down those country lanes// Singing to “Tiny Dancer”// And I miss the way you make me feel, it’s real// We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill”
Headed home makes your heart giddy and maybe makes you speed a bit… Personally, I know I am guilty of doing that on those empty Pennsylvania highways... until I get into New Jersey, and I no longer can with all of the traffic. You won’t find me singing to “Tiny Dancer” but you can find me jamming to anything that reminds me of the people I am coming home to, and that reminds me of a simpler time. The closer you get to home, the giddier you feel and the more you think about how much you miss everything and everyone from home. It makes you think about the smallest memories you have made through the years at home, and all of the things you glorify from where you grew up, like watching the sunset over the castle on the hill...
[Verse 2]
“Fifteen years old and smoking hand-rolled cigarettes// Running from the law through the backfields and getting drunk with my friends// Had my first kiss on a Friday night, I don’t reckon that I did it right// But I was younger then...”
In this verse, you can see how time has progressed and how Ed and his friends have grown up. It reminds us college kids about the things that we might have done in high school, no matter what it was. In college, you reflect on the things you did in high school and you can see how much you’ve developed. You learn to laugh at your awkward high school self because you know you have grown and learned a lot through the years.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
“Take me back to when// We found weekend jobs, when we got paid// We’d buy cheap spirits and drink them straight// Me and my friends have not thrown up in so long, oh how we’ve grown// But I can’t wait to go home”
This verse makes me laugh because it reminds me of college freshmen trying to party in college. They drink whatever they can find, usually very cheap alcohol. The first few times partying, you and your friends might drink more than you should have and find yourself throwing up. Hopefully, after time progresses, you have learned your limits. In another sense, throwing up can represent any mistake that you have made. With each mess up, you have grown and now you don’t make those same mistakes anymore. However, even though you have matured (you can now hold your liquor in terms of Sheeran’s example), you can’t wait to get home to your roots.
[Chorus]
“I’m on my way// Driving at 90 down those country lanes// Singing to “Tiny Dancer”// And I miss the way you make me feel, it’s real// We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill”
The chorus of this song also reminds me of a very important person in my life, my boyfriend. Being long distance has made me appreciate every little moment with him even more. When we are apart, I miss the feeling that seeing his smile in person, or holding his hand brings, “I miss the way you make me feel, it’s real”. Being able to tell him “I’m on my way!” is a rare thing while we are apart, but it’s a wonderful feeling when I am able to send him a text as simple as that. Driving on the country roads of Northeast Pennsylvania to the busy streets of Philly is something I look forward to. When we are apart, I cherish the memories of when we had the luxury of being so close to each other, to when we watched the sunset over the castle on the hill…
[Bridge]
“One friend left to sell clothes//One works down by the coast// One had two kids but lives alone// One’s brother overdosed// One’s already on his second wife// One’s just barely getting by// But these people raised me// And I can’t wait to go home”
You and your friends have grown up and you are all in different places, doing completely different things. Things have truly changed, and continue to. In a blink of an eye, everyone will be starting their own lives, going their separate ways and doing things they never thought they would do. Regardless of what people grow into, these are the people that “raised” you, they were a big part of making you who you are today. No matter where you are in life now, you can’t wait to get back to them, they will always be a part of you.
[Chorus]
“I’m on my way, I still remember// These old country lanes// When we did not know the answers// And I miss the way you make me feel, it’s real// We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill// Over the castle on the hill// Over the castle on the hill”
I remember driving with my friends and talking about life, where we were going to college or what we were going to study, and we were stressed over it all... We didn’t know the answers. I would give anything to go back to those days when we thought life was stressful, even though it was much simpler. There are times when I would give anything to go back to the feeling my childhood friends, my loved ones, and my home brought me. To when we did simple things, like “watching the sunset over the castle on the hill”.
