“Perfect” is a song by Ed Sheeran from his album ÷ (2017). It became popular in the UK and was later announced as the fourth single from the album by Billboard in August 2017.
The song “Perfect” is a romantic ballad written for Ed’s now-wife, Cherry Seaborn. It expresses love, the hope for a future with a family, and growing old together.
In this article, we will explore the lyrics’ meaning.
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“Perfect” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
I found a love for me
Oh, darlin’, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waitin’ for me
In Verse 1 of the song, Ed Sheeran talks about finding a special love.
He describes how he discovered this love unexpectedly and compares the person he found to someone beautiful and sweet.
It’s as if he didn’t realize this person was meant for him until they met.
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowin’ what it was
I will not give you up this time
But, darlin’, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you’re holdin’ mine
In the Pre-Chorus, Ed Sheeran reflects on the early stages of his relationship. He mentions that they were young and in love without fully understanding the depth of their emotions. This likely refers to the fact that he met his girlfriend, Cherry Seaborn, while they were still in school.
Despite any uncertainties, he’s determined not to let go of this love, as he sings, “I will not give you up this time.”
Ed also requests a slow kiss from his beloved and expresses that her heart is the only thing he possesses, and he can see a reflection of his own feelings in her eyes.
[Chorus]
Baby, I’m dancin’ in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass while listenin’ to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darlin’, you look perfect tonight
In the Chorus, Ed Sheeran describes dancing in the dark with his loved one, holding her between his arms. They’re standing barefoot on the grass, listening to their favorite song, creating a scene of intimacy and closeness.
When his partner expresses self-doubt, saying she looks a mess, Ed reassures her with a whispered compliment. He tells her that she looks perfect tonight.
The idea for the chorus was sparked by an unexpected source – Ed Sheeran dancing to a song by rapper Future called “March Madness” on the lawn at James Blunt’s house in Ibiza. Sheeran discussed the inspiration for this part of the song in an interview with Entertainment Tonight Canada:
“We were in Ibiza at James Blunt’s house and for some reason, there was a certain point in the night and people just put on house music. I just don’t like house music at all – at all! So I changed it to Future’s ‘March Madness’ and there were a bunch of 40 year old people like, ‘What are you doing? What is this?’ And then we had a dance.”
[Verse 2]
Well, I found a woman stronger than anyone I know
She shares my dreams, I hope that, someday, I’ll share her home
I found a love to carry more than just my secrets
To carry love, to carry children of our own
In Verse 2 of the song, Ed Sheeran talks about finding a woman who is incredibly strong and remarkable. He expresses his admiration for her strength and how she shares his dreams.
Ed hopes that someday, they will share a home together, showing a desire for a long-lasting and committed relationship, as expressed in the lines “She shares my dreams, I hope that, someday, I’ll share her home.”
He also mentions that he has found a love that goes beyond just keeping secrets. This implies that their love is not only about hiding things but also about sharing and building a life together, possibly including starting a family.
[Pre-Chorus 2]
We are still kids, but we’re so in love
Fightin’ against all odds
I know we’ll be alright this time
Darlin’, just hold my hand
Be my girl, I’ll be your man
I see my future in your eyes
In Pre-Chorus 2, Ed Sheeran continues to reflect on the strength of his love and the determination to make the relationship work.
He acknowledges that they are still young, but their love is strong and can overcome any challenges they might face, as he sings, “We are still kids, but we’re so in love, Fightin’ against all odds.”
Ed expresses confidence that they will be alright this time, indicating a belief in the resilience of their love.
He also extends an emotional invitation, asking his partner to hold his hand and become his girl while he promises to be her man.
[Chorus 2]
Baby, I’m dancin’ in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass while listenin’ to our favourite song
When I saw you in that dress, lookin’ so beautiful
I don’t deserve this, darlin’, you look perfect tonight
In Chorus 2, Ed Sheeran mentions dancing in the dark with his loved one again, holding her between his arms, and being barefoot on the grass while listening to their favorite song.
However, there’s an added detail in this chorus where Ed recalls seeing his partner in a beautiful dress, and he is deeply moved by her appearance, as he sings, “When I saw you in that dress, lookin’ so beautiful.”
In the lines “I don’t deserve this, darlin’, you look perfect tonight,” he mentions feeling undeserving of her beauty and affection but still finds her perfect in every way.
[Chorus 3]
Baby, I’m dancin’ in the dark with you between my arms
We’re barefoot on the grass, oh, listenin’ to our favourite song
I have faith in what I see, now I know I have met
An angel in person and she looks perfect
I don’t deserve this, you look perfect tonight
In Chorus 3 of the song, Ed Sheeran repeats the imagery of dancing in the dark with his loved one between his arms, being barefoot on the grass, and listening to their favorite song. This repetition reinforces the idea of an intimate and romantic moment shared between the two.
However, in this chorus, Ed goes on to express his faith in what he sees. He acknowledges that he has met an angel in person, referring to his girlfriend, Cherry Seaborn, and he tells her that she looks perfect.
This part of the chorus emphasizes the sense of wonder and admiration he feels for her, considering her to be an angelic presence in his life.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Perfect”
Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” is a romantic song that’s touched hearts worldwide. It’s a love story about Ed and his now-wife, Cherry Seaborn. They first met in school and reconnected years later in New York. Their relationship started in July 2015, and they got engaged in January 2018.
The idea for the song’s lyrics came to Ed while he was at James Blunt’s house in Ibiza, listening to rapper Future’s music at 6 am. The song “March Madness” sparked the idea for “Perfect.” He said:
“Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song, which happened to be Future’s “March Madness”… I booked the studio for the day, and I had that and I was like, right, let me just flesh that out. And the song happened and was sort of finished that day. I knew it was special.”
With “Perfect,” Ed aimed to create the best love song of his career, hoping to surpass the success of his hit “Thinking Out Loud.” He wanted it to be a reflection of his songwriting and musical skills.
In the song, Ed Sheeran depicts a picture of a couple deeply in love. Sheeran repeatedly praise his partner’s beauty and even questions whether he deserves her love, as expressed in the lines, “When I saw you in that dress, lookin’ so beautiful, I don’t deserve this, darlin’, you look perfect tonight.”
Unlike other love ballads that focus on love at first sight, ‘Perfect’ actually explores the beauty of traditional marriage and long-lasting love. In lyrics such as “Well, I found a woman stronger than anyone I know, She shares my dreams, I hope that, someday, I’ll share her home,” Sheeran explores the idea of building a home with his girlfriend, having children, and growing old together.
The song is about the enduring connection between two people who are committed to each other, making it the most popular wedding song.
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