Ed Sheeran teased this new song at the Breakfast Club several weeks ago, when asked if the new album contains any raps. Now we do know that Ed Sheeran is quite serious about his rapping. “Eraser” is a mix of raps and some aesthetic verses.
Ed Sheeran released a live performance of “Eraser” for SBTV and he gives a lot of credit to the channel for uploading his first video ever 7 years ago. And this is the extended F64 version of the song. Also we hear at the end of the video, someone in the background yelling “one take” which means the entire 5+ minute video was taken in one recording. That’s what Ed Sheeran brings to the live performances.
Ed’s acoustic guitar in the video has the ‘Divide’ symbol on it, so we know for sure that “Eraser” appears in the album and it is the first song on the tracklist.
Watch Ed Sheeran Perform “Eraser” Live
Pre-order ‘Divide’ Album on iTunes and Amazon
The lyrics to “Eraser” are quite simple but Ed Sheeran manages to deliver some important messages within the lines.
In verse 1 Ed Sheeran talks about his humble beginnings as an artist;
I was born inside a small town, I’ve lost that state of mind
Learned to sing inside the Lord’s house, but stopped at the age of nine
I forget when I get awards now the wave I had to ride
The paving stones I played upon, they kept me on the grind
So blame it on the pain that blessed me with the life
Friends and family filled with envy when they should be filled with pride
Ed Sheeran grew up in Suffolk, England-a small town filled with mist and nature. He says he has lost the touch with his simple lifestyle from England. He is a major superstar now. Ed Sheeran sang in the Church until he was nine. He attends Grammy’s now, and sometimes he forgets what troubles he had to go through to come to this level. He is also sad that his kin who should be proud of him are now envious of him for some reason.
And when the world’s against me is when I really come alive
And everyday that Satan tempts me, I try to take it in my stride
You know that I’ve got whisky with white lies and smoke in my lungs
I think life has got to the point I know without it’s no fun
Ed Sheeran says he thrives under pressure. When the whole world seems to be against him, it fuels him to do better. “Eraser” admits that Ed Sheeran is no saint. He says he drinks whisky, tells a white lie at times and smokes a cigarette.
I need to get in the right mind and clear myself up
Instead, I look in the mirror questioning what I’ve become
I guess it’s a stereotypical day for someone like me
Without a nine-to-five job or an uni degree
To be caught up in the trappings of the industry
They showed me the locked doors I find another use of key
And you’ll see
He says he knows that he needs to quit the “bad” habits mentioned before. But everytime he thinks to quit, he stares at himself in the mirror and justifies himself saying that every artist does this. He admits that he is caught in the ‘trappings’ of the industry-but then again he is on the better side of things. He was shown locked doors in the industry and he found different keys to open them and maybe that’s why he is a breakthrough artist.
Chorus of “Eraser”
I’m well aware of certain things that will destroy a man like me
But with that said give me one more, higher
Another one to take the sting away
I am happy on my own, so here I’ll stay
Save your lovin’ arms for a rainy day
And I’ll find comfort in my pain
Eraser
Ed Sheeran talks about getting higher, despite his conscience telling him to clean himself up. Another (hopefully) whiskey shot to take the pains away. And the worst part is, he is happy in this state and he very explicitly says he doesn’t need anyone’s helping hands. He resorts to dealing with pain-maybe erase them away with booze and what not.
Verse 2:
I used to think that nothing could be better than touring the world with my songs
Chased the pictured perfect life, I think they painted it wrong
I think that money is the root of evil and fame is hell
Relationships and hearts you fixed, they break as well
Ed Sheeran had dreamed to tour the world with his music and he believed that to be the best thing there is. He wanted the perfect life and now he realizes that the picture perfect life exists in your head-wherever you decide to build it.
Ed Sheeran relates money to the root of evil and fame is not the bliss as it is shown in cameras. Even relationships are not mean to last!
This is a really sinister Ed Sheeran we have come across in “Eraser.” The verse 2 runs a little bit longer and we will not get into that yet.
“Eraser” is the first time we have seen Ed Sheeran open up about his deepest feelings about his life and life in general. This is a refreshing change from a man who started off with “Castle On The Hill” and “Shape Of You.”
So let us know what you think about “Eraser” and what Ed Sheeran had to say in it. Do you like this new Ginger? Or do you prefer the happy and delightful Ginger? Let us know in the comments below.