“Photograph” by Ed Sheeran is more than just a song; it’s an emotional experience that deeply resonates with anyone who has loved, lost, and cherished memories. Ed Sheeran, known for his soulful lyrics and captivating melodies, penned this masterpiece, which has become an anthem for expressing love and longing. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to Sheeran’s music, this blog post will unravel the beautiful and poignant layers of “Photograph.” We’ll explore the lyrics, the meaning behind them, and why this song holds a special place in so many hearts.
The Meaning of “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran
“Photograph” by Ed Sheeran, it’s a deeply emotional reminder of love’s enduring power. Through heartfelt lyrics and a tender melody, Sheeran captures the essence of cherishing moments, preserving memories, and holding onto the past while moving forward. The song’s gentle guitar strums combined with Sheeran’s soulful voice create a poignant atmosphere that resonates with listeners, evoking feelings of nostalgia and warmth. It’s a universal anthem for anyone who has experienced love, loss, and the bittersweet beauty of remembering loved ones through photographs. In a world that moves so fast, “Photograph” invites us to pause, reflect, and truly appreciate the snapshots of our lives.
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Lovin’ can hurt
Lovin’ can hurt sometimes
But it’s the only thing that I know
And when it gets hard
You know it can get hard sometimes
It is the only thing that makes us feel alive
[Pre-Chorus]
We keep this love in a photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closin’
Hearts are never broken
And time’s forever frozen still
[Chorus]
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holdin’ me closer till our eyes meet
You won’t ever be alone
Wait for me to come home
[Verse 2]
Lovin’ can heal
Lovin’ can mend your soul
And it’s the only thing that I know, know
I swear it will get easier
Remember that with every piece of ya
Mm, and it’s the only thing we take with us when we die
[Pre-Chorus]
Mm, we keep this love in this photograph
We made these memories for ourselves
Where our eyes are never closin’
Hearts were never broken
And time’s forever frozen still
[Chorus]
So you can keep me
Inside the pocket of your ripped jeans
Holdin’ me closer till our eyes meet
You won’t ever be alone
And if you hurt me
Well, that’s okay, baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages, you just hold me
And I won’t ever let you go
Wait for me to come home
[Bridge]
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
Wait for me to come home
[Chorus]
Oh, you can fit me
Inside that necklace you got when you were sixteen
Next to your heartbeat, where I should be
Keep it deep within your soul
And if you hurt me
Well, that’s okay, baby, only words bleed
Inside these pages, you just hold me
And I won’t ever let you go
[Outro]
When I’m away, I will remember how you kissed me
Under the lamppost back on Sixth Street
Hearin’ you whisper through the phone
“Wait for me to come home”
Lovin’ Can Hurt
The Pain of Love
The song begins with the line, “Lovin’ can hurt, lovin’ can hurt sometimes.” These words set the tone for the entire song, reminding us that love isn’t always easy. Love can bring joy, but it can also bring pain. This duality is something everyone can relate to, making the song universally resonant.
The Only Thing That I Know
Sheeran follows with, “But it’s the only thing that I know.” Despite the pain, love is a fundamental part of human experience. It’s something we all understand on a deep level. This line emphasizes that love, despite its challenges, is essential and worth enduring.
Making Us Feel Alive
The verse concludes, “It is the only thing that makes us feel alive.” Here, Sheeran captures the essence of love as something that gives life meaning. Even when love hurts, it reminds us that we are alive, feeling, and experiencing the world.
We Keep This Love in a Photograph
Memories Captured
The pre-chorus begins, “We keep this love in a photograph, we made these memories for ourselves.” Photographs serve as tangible reminders of our most cherished moments. Sheeran highlights how we use photos to preserve memories, keeping them alive in our hearts.
Eternal Moments
“Where our eyes are never closin’, hearts are never broken, and time’s forever frozen still.” These lines beautifully convey how photographs capture perfect moments. In a photo, time stands still, and everything remains just as it was.
The Immortality of Love
By keeping love in a photograph, Sheeran suggests that love can transcend time. Photos allow us to hold onto moments of happiness and love, making them eternal in our minds and hearts.
Inside the Pocket of Your Ripped Jeans
A Personal Keepsake
“So you can keep me inside the pocket of your ripped jeans.” This line introduces the chorus and brings a sense of intimacy. Keeping a photo in your pocket is a personal and cherished act, representing how close we hold our loved ones.
Holding Me Closer
“Holdin’ me closer till our eyes meet.” Sheeran paints a picture of closeness and connection. Even when apart, the photo keeps the memory of love alive, bridging the distance between two hearts.
Never Alone
“You won’t ever be alone.” The reassurance here is profound. The photograph symbolizes that love and memories can keep us company, even in moments of solitude. This line offers comfort and solace to anyone missing a loved one.
Lovin’ Can Heal
The Healing Power of Love
In the second verse, Sheeran sings, “Lovin’ can heal, lovin’ can mend your soul.” This line balances the earlier theme of love’s pain by showing its healing power. Love has the capacity to heal wounds and restore our spirits.
Easier with Time
“I swear it will get easier, remember that with every piece of ya.” Sheeran acknowledges that time can heal the pain of loss, emphasizing the importance of holding onto love and memories.
The Only Thing We Take With Us
“And it’s the only thing we take with us when we die.” This profound statement suggests that love and memories are the most important things we carry throughout our lives and beyond.
We Made These Memories for Ourselves
Creating Lasting Memories
The pre-chorus repeats, emphasizing the significance of creating and preserving memories. Sheeran reminds us that the effort we put into making memories is what makes them so special.
Eyes Never Closin’
“Where our eyes are never closin’, hearts were never broken, and time’s forever frozen still.” Again, these lines highlight the timeless nature of memories captured in photographs.
Cherishing the Past
By repeating this idea, Sheeran reinforces the importance of cherishing our past and the love we’ve experienced.
If You Hurt Me
Accepting Pain
“And if you hurt me, well, that’s okay, baby, only words bleed.” This line from the chorus acknowledges that words can cause pain, but it’s a pain that can be endured. It emphasizes resilience and forgiveness in love.
Holding on Through Pages
“Inside these pages, you just hold me, and I won’t ever let you go.” The imagery of pages and holding on is powerful, symbolizing how love and memories are preserved in written and photographic form.
Wait for Me to Come Home
“Wait for me to come home.” This recurring line is a promise of return, providing hope and reassurance that love will endure despite separation.
Fit Me Inside That Necklace
Symbolic Keepsakes
“Oh, you can fit me inside that necklace you got when you were sixteen.” Personal items like a necklace symbolize how we keep memories and loved ones close to us.
Deep Within Your Soul
“Next to your heartbeat, where I should be, keep it deep within your soul.” Sheeran’s words evoke deep emotional connections, suggesting that love resides not just in physical keepsakes but also deep within our souls.
Words Bleed, But Love Endures
“And if you hurt me, well, that’s okay, baby, only words bleed.” Reiterating the earlier sentiment, Sheeran underscores that while words can wound, the essence of love remains strong.
When I’m Away
Fond Remembrances
“When I’m away, I will remember how you kissed me.” This line from the outro highlights the power of memory in sustaining love during times of separation.
Nostalgia and Longing
“Under the lamppost back on Sixth Street, hearin’ you whisper through the phone.” These specific details create a vivid picture of nostalgia and longing, making the memories feel real and immediate.
Eternal Promise
“Wait for me to come home.” The song concludes with this line, leaving listeners with a sense of hope and a promise that love will endure.
Conclusion
Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” is a heartfelt exploration of love, memory, and the enduring power of photographs. Through his poignant lyrics, Sheeran captures the complexities of love, from its pain to its healing power, and the way we preserve it through memories. For any listener, the song serves as a reminder to cherish the moments we have with loved ones and to hold onto those memories tightly. If you found this analysis meaningful, consider exploring more of Sheeran’s work or revisiting other songs that have touched your heart.
In the end, “Photograph” invites us all to reflect on our own experiences with love and the memories we’ve captured along the way. Whether through photos, keepsakes, or simply the stories we tell, these moments define our lives and keep our loved ones close, no matter the distance.