“Curtains” by Ed Sheeran is a song about the struggles of mental health and the desire for freedom and sunshine. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist has been hiding away, and while he/she may have been found, it’s time to come out of the darkness and face the light.
The song begins with the plea, “Can you pull the curtains? Let me see the sun shine,” which sets the tone for the rest of the song. The idea of curtains being a metaphor for hiding away from the world is not new in Ed Sheeran’s songwriting. In “Save Myself” from his album ÷, he sings about how he needs to take care of himself instead of putting on a facade for others. In “Curtains,” the protagonist seems to have realized that it’s time to let the sun shine in and move on from the hiding place.
The lyrics also touch on the theme of playing games, and how it can be exhausting to keep up the facade. The lines “How long it’s been since we started the game? I can’t be seen, and you won’t find me today” suggest a sense of fatigue with the hiding and seeking. This theme is also present in “Happier” from ÷, where Sheeran sings about pretending to be happy for an ex-lover’s sake.
The chorus of “Curtains” is catchy and uplifting, as Sheeran sings, “Let me see the sun shine, shine, shine.” It’s a call to action to break free from the darkness and embrace the light. The lyrics also touch on the idea of starting anew, with the lines “And tomorrow’s another day” and “Tears dry, we’ll leave no trace.”
The second verse of the song touches on the idea of keeping up appearances and how it can be a struggle to maintain a facade. The lines “But in some days feels like I’m trapped in a hole, but I keep the quit so the ones around me don’t know” suggest a sense of loneliness and isolation. This theme is also present in “Castle on the Hill” from ÷, where Sheeran sings about feeling nostalgic for his childhood and how his friends have all moved away.
The bridge of the song is perhaps the most emotional, with Sheeran singing, “And you say that I’m here and that I don’t have to carry it alone, and the outside pays in your soul, still fighting the dark ’cause you leave me so cold.” It’s a cry for help, and the idea of not having to carry the weight alone is a powerful message.
“Curtains” is a poignant and emotional song about the struggles of mental health and the desire for freedom and sunshine. Ed Sheeran’s lyrics are powerful and relatable, and the song is sure to resonate with many listeners. The idea of coming out of hiding and embracing the light is a message of hope that many people can benefit from.
Watch: Ed Sheeran – ‘Curtains’
Listen now: Ed Sheeran – ‘Curtains’
About Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran is a singer-songwriter from England who rose to fame in the mid-2010s with his unique blend of acoustic pop and folk music. Born in 1991 in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Sheeran started playing guitar and writing songs at a young age and moved to London in his late teens to pursue a career in music.
His breakthrough came in 2011 with the release of his debut album “+”, which spawned hits such as “The A Team” and “Lego House”. The album was a critical and commercial success, earning Sheeran numerous awards and nominations, including a Grammy nomination for Best Song of the Year.
Sheeran’s music is characterized by his distinctive voice, his ability to write catchy and relatable songs, and his skill at blending different genres of music. His lyrics often deal with personal experiences, relationships, and themes of love, loss, and resilience. Sheeran is known for his live performances, which often feature just him and his guitar, and his collaborations with other artists such as Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, and Justin Bieber.
You may also like: