Divide & rule

Amarjot Kaur

Yes, we said “howdy”. We’re on an Americana binge, especially after Trump’s been elected and cannot stop dreaming of riding horses into the open frontier. We digress, but not really. Let yourself dream. Breakaway from your everyday responsibilities (even if for just a minute), and let yourself drift to some place wonderful. Why? Because you can—and it’s fun! We do believe that music has the power to help ground you. Seriously, did you know there are over 20 science-backed health benefits of music including, relieving pain, improving sleep, reducing stress, and elevating your mood? Call us your spin doctors, as this week we’ve handpicked a song that you can add to your playlist to provide the perfect medicine for your week. Shape of You, a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran is one of the lead singles from his upcoming third studio album ÷ (read at divide), along with Castle on the Hill. Sheeran revealed, when hosting the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show, that Shape of You, a pop and dancehall song with tropical house effects and strummy acoustics, had originally been written with Rihanna in mind.

Mike check

Edward Christopher “Ed” Sheeran is an English singer, songwriter, rapper, and actor. In early 2011, Sheeran independently released the extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project, which caught the attention of Elton John and Jamie Foxx. After signing with Asylum Records, his debut album, + (read as “plus”) and has since been certified seven-times platinum in the UK. In 2012, Sheeran won the Brit Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist and British Breakthrough Act. The A Team from + was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2013 Grammy Awards, where he performed the song with Elton John. His second studio album, x (multiply), won the Brit Award for Album of the Year. His single from x, Thinking Out Loud, earned him two Grammy Awards. Sheeran’s third album, ÷ (divide), will be released in March this year, but the first two singles from the album, Shape of You and Castle on the Hill, broke records in a number of countries, including the UK, Australia, and Germany.

Our take

In the song, Sheeran sings over Carrabin influences and marimba-fuelled percussive sway about a budding romance. “The club isn’t the best place to find a lover, so the bar is where I go/ Me and my friends at the table doing shots drinking fast and then we talk slow,” he sings. “Come over and start up a conversation with just me/ And trust me I’ll give it a chance.” Based on recent scientific discoveries, there’s a correlation between liking stretch your toes and fall back and liking this song!

Voice of the people

This song has already been added to my playlist, not because I am an Ed Sheeran fan but, because it is such a relatable song. I like the lyrics, music, and most of all the video. 

Jeet Singh, student, Panjab University, Law Department

It’s a beautiful composition, speaking strictly about the music of the song. What amazes me the most about Ed Sheeran’s vocals, however, is the fact that he is melodious to a different level of awesomeness. 

Prakash Tulli, graphic designer at a private firm

Not only do I love Sheeran’s voice, but the lyrics of this song are just right if you are looking to hit on someone at a bar... you see, it’s best to let songs do the talking sometimes and this one is perfect.

Gaurav Bajaj, photographer and owner at Clickerz