“Thinking Out Loud” is a song by the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. He recorded it for his second studio album, called “×” (2014). The song was written by Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge, and it was produced by Jake Gosling, who often worked with Ed Sheeran. It was released as the third single from the album in the United States on September 24, 2014.
In “Thinking Out Loud,” Ed Sheeran imagined that the love described in the song would last into his later years, though he was only 23 years old at that time. The song was about his then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos, and Sheeran considers it the only happy song on the album “×.”
In this article, we will explore the meaning behind the lyrics of the song.
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Inspiration Behind “Thinking Out Loud”
Sheeran wrote “Thinking Out Loud” with Amy Wadge, a singer-songwriter from Wales. They had been writing songs together since they met when Sheeran was 17.
In an interview with WalesOnline, Amy Wadge talked about the song’s origin:
“His album was finished and I was just going to his house to have some chilling out time with my mate – it wasn’t ever supposed to be a song-writing session…But when Ed went for a shower, I picked up a guitar which Harry Styles had bought him and I played two lines. Ed came running downstairs and said, ‘What’s that? We have to do something with that…We went for dinner with his mum and dad and then came back and wrote the song, which Ed recorded on his phone straight away. He kept saying, ‘It should be on the album.'”
They started working on the song in Sheeran’s kitchen at 2:00 am on February 4, 2014, and amazingly, they completed it in just 20 minutes. The lyrics were inspired by their conversation about “everlasting love,” which was relevant to their lives at the time.
Sheeran’s then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos, also played a role in inspiring the lyrics. He was in a very happy relationship when he wrote the song. He also had his grandparents in mind, thinking about maintaining love into old age, which is why you hear ” ’til we’re 70″ in the lyrics. Initially, the chorus was “I’m singing out now,” but it evolved into “I’m thinking out loud.”
“Thinking Out Loud” Lyrics Meaning
[Verse 1]
When your legs don’t work like they used to before
And I can’t sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks?
In Verse 1, Ed Sheeran describes a situation where her legs might not work as well as they used to, and he can’t sweep her off her feet.
He wonders if she will still remember the taste of his love and if her eyes will continue to smile at him.
This verse conveys his enduring love and affection for his girlfriend, even as they both age.
[Pre-Chorus]
And darlin’, I will be lovin’ you till we’re seventy
And baby, my heart could still fall as hard at twenty-three
And I’m thinkin’ ’bout how
People fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Well, me, I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am
In the Pre-Chorus, the singer expresses his commitment to loving his partner until they reach the age of seventy.
He believes that his heart will still feel as strongly for her at twenty-three as it does now.
Ed Sheeran reflects on how love can be mysterious and how even simple touches can make people fall in love.
He emphasizes that he falls in love with her every single day and wants to convey his love to her.
[Verse 2]
When my hair’s all but gone and my memory fades
And the crowds don’t remember my name
When my hands don’t play the strings the same way, mmm
I know you will still love me the same
In Verse 2, the singer envisions a future where his hair is thinning, his memory is fading, and people may not remember his name.
Despite these changes, he believes that his partner will still love him just the same.
He emphasizes the enduring nature of her love, highlighting that her love for him is not dependent on his physical appearance or fame.
[Pre-Chorus]
‘Cause, honey, your soul who could never grow old, it’s evergreen
And baby, your smile’s forever in my mind and memory
I’m thinkin’ ’bout how
People fall in love in mysterious ways
And maybe it’s all part of a plan
Oh, I’ll just keep on makin’ the same mistakes
Hoping that you’ll understand
In Pre-Chorus, Ed Sheeran describes his lover’s soul as something that will never grow old, remaining evergreen.
He also mentions how her smile is forever etched in his mind and memories.
Sheeran acknowledges the mysterious nature of love and suggests that perhaps their love is part of a greater plan. Despite making mistakes, he hopes that she will understand his feelings for her.
[Chorus]
That, baby, now, take me into your lovin’ arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars
Place your head on my beatin’ heart, I’m thinkin’ out loud
And maybe we found love right where we are, oh-oh
In the Chorus of the song, Ed Sheeran asks his lover to take him into her loving arms and to kiss him under the light of a thousand stars.
He wants her to place her head on his beating heart while he’s thinking out loud.
The chorus suggests that Sheeran has found love and comfort in his partner, and he cherishes the moments they share together, even under the night sky.
It’s a declaration of his love and affection for her.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Thinking Out Loud”
Ed Sheeran’s song “Thinking Out Loud” is a heartfelt love song inspired by Sheeran’s then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos, and conversations about “everlasting love” with Amy Wadge.
Many people love using this song at weddings because Ed Sheeran has described it as the perfect track for walking down the aisle.
In the lyrics, Ed Sheeran shows his commitment to loving his partner despite life’s challenges. He wonders if their love will fade, but he promises to love her just as passionately at 70 as he did at 23.
He describes how he wants his partner to be when they’re together, constantly reassuring her that their love will withstand the test of time. Even as they grow older and weaker, he believes their love will only get stronger.
Ed Sheeran acknowledges that, like all relationships, they’ll make mistakes along the way. But what matters most is their ability to overcome these challenges and deepen their commitment to each other.
The song’s title, “Thinking Out Loud,” reflects how these thoughts about their enduring love are always on his mind, and he openly expresses them to assure his partner of the sincerity and lasting nature of their love.
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