I was never a fan of any mainstream music. I love all kinds of sounds, especially punk rock, but the mainstream was always inflated with everything I didn’t like about music. But mainstream does not mean bad, and if there was one person that can prove that best, it’s Ed Sheeran. What Ed does is bring music back to what it should be, storytelling with soul and passion. His sound is constantly changing, always consistent with whom he is, but always adapting to the tale he’s telling. His lyrical talent is among the best, and he deviates from the norm of catching audiences with a hip chorus but little substance.
His latest album, Divide, may be his best, and even the rock fan in me loved it. I highly recommend it to everyone, no matter what taste in music you may have. However, the punk rock fan in me fell in love with one song in particular, “What Do I Know?” In the song, Ed sends a social and political message that few artists in the mainstream are willing to do. He speaks about the world focusing on numbers and losing their minds over money, all while ignoring the opinions of the simple men that live in it, like himself. He talks about how something as simple as love would lead us in the right direction once more, and that how we approach our politics and choices should be grounded by those ideals. I believe just the same, but as Ed rightfully asks, “But what do I know?”
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I know my political stances, and I don’t expect everyone to agree with them, and that’s okay. What I worry is that everyone relates to this song, because that is not the intention. This is a callout to those who choose their political and social positions based on bigotry, hate and greed. “Saying love could change the world in a moment/ But what do I know?” This is a love for all people; it’s a love that’s willing to look past the color of people’s skin, stereotypes, race, and nationality and a desire to help people. That’s what love is. You can look in any religious text, any philosophy, or what any common man defines it as, and you will end at the same answer. Love is a willingness to accept people, care for people, share with those in need, and do everything in one’s power to make it a peaceful and equal world to live in.
Of course, those who disagree with this or any political stance that involves equality, an acceptance of all people, and/or the relinquishment of greed for the sake of the little man will say to me or Ed that we should stick to our day jobs and stay out of politics. What would we know? What Ed does is highlight the schism in our country, where people refuse to listen to each other and proceed to base their values on fear rather than the truth and kindness. We all have a voice, we’re all people, and we all need to take the step towards understanding one another, otherwise we can never progress.
Thank you Ed, for playing a simple song, with a simple message for both the people who want to know there’s someone else out there that thinks like they do, and for those that need a wake-up call. I’m a strange one I suppose. I enjoy the occasional love song, and songs about the self, but more than anything I fall in love with music that wants to make a change in the world. Thank you Ed for using your art to make a statement few artists are willing to do. You’ve truly gained my respect, and although this hippie song of yours that I praise to no end will never be as popular as your hit singles, I truly hope they reach the ears of as many people as possible. Thank you for making the world just a little bit better.
