Beautiful People || Ed Sheeran ft. Khalid: A Review

Beautiful People || Ed Sheeran ft. Khalid: A Review.

Okay! Let me start by saying this: If Ed Sheeran isn’t one of your favourite musicians already, you may need to add him to your list. I’m just going to put it out there and let you decide.

Ed Sheeran is one of the most talented artists I know. He isn’t just after melody but is also keen on making songs that have meaning– messages that one can relate to– that positive vibe. If you’ve heard his songs, you’d know what I’m talking about.

In this song, Beautiful People, he collaborates with 21-year-old RnB singer Khalid. The song appeared on Sheeran’s forthcoming No.6 Collaborations Project, which was released on July 12th.

The track addresses the importance of staying true to one’s self. In a world where social media projects fame and materialism as the source of happiness, this song proves otherwise. Beautiful people aren’t really beautiful– they are most times surrounded by ugly situations but they mask their sorrows by flaunting their wealth thus, creating a lifestyle that seems enviable. The lifestyle is what the world sees and envies but behind the scene, it’s a completely different story.

The chorus sums it all up:

“Beautiful people
Drop top, designer clothes
Front row at fashion shows
‘What d’you do?’ and ‘Who d’you know?’
Inside the world of beautiful people
Champagne and rolled-up notes
Prenups and broken homes
Surrounded, but still alone
Let’s leave the party.”

Ed Sheeran and Khalid say they aren’t part of this– they aren’t “beautiful people“. They are true to themselves and would rather excuse themselves from uncomfortable discussions that will make them feel less than they are, obviously because they don’t fit in — as part of the song says:

“We don’t fit in well
‘Cause we are just ourselves
I could use some help
Gettin’ out of this conversation, yeah”

Apart from the lyrics and melody, the video, directed by Andy McLeod, portrays the message in a very unique and creative way. It shows how an average looking couple gets involved in the world of “beautiful people” (glamour and flamboyance) but are disinterested in it all. Instead, they focus on each other– in the end, they go back to living their simple lives because it’s who they are and they aren’t ashamed.

Download mp3 here

Conclusion

I strongly believe that the message is something that should be heard over and over again because low self-esteem is a global problem. Many people are envious and insecure as a result of what they perceive to be achievements without having the slightest clue about what goes on when the people they envy are alone.

I rate this song 5/5 simply because it is lovely, catchy and not only is the message powerful, it is also timely. At the end of the day, one thing is important– be authentic, be true to you. There’s no point putting up a mask, living a facade– just be you. Also, don’t waste your energy envying someone else, you have no idea what they are passing through. In most cases, you’re even better off than them.

I really loved it and I hope you do too. Let me know what you think at the comment section below.

Previous review: Tom Walker’s Leave A Light On

Viano Dee

Viano Dee is a non niche blogger, poet, songwriter and a hardcore romantic who believes that life is something that we all should be positive about. She writes about life generally with the hope that positive change will occur even if it's just in one person. Her write-ups could take any form: poetry, articles, and even songs in ways that'll inspire you, resonate with you, or tell a story while keeping you both informed and entertained.