Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran

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Castle On The Hill – Ed Sheeran

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Sheeran, it just so happened that one of his school friends was working with us at the time. He casually asked if we would like to go with him to meet some of his mates, a few of us from the office tagged along to a Cuban bar behind Waterloo station in London for Friday drinks. As we were chatting away Ed popped up, he'd had a few big hits by then, but he wasn't recognisable enough to cause an issue. We had a pleasant chat with him and left the friends to enjoy the evening. I wasn't a big fan at the time but came away thinking what a nice guy he was and very grounded. Soon after he blew up into a global superstar, Taylor Swift duets and all.

Then role on a few years, my niece managed to win a competition to see Ed live at Wembley Stadium. She asked would I take her and being the 'cool' uncle, I said of course. As they were winning tickets we had a great view, near the front. I have to say he blew me away, he simply stood there with his guitar, a few looping pedals and entertained the huge crowd packed into that stadium. What made me laugh the most, he even acknowledged from the stage it was his job to entertain all the parents that had been dragged along by their kids. He obviously realised not everyone there was a big fan, but by the end of the show he had one more fan in me. I'm so used to seeing four, five or more in a band all playing for their lives, this kid just did it all himself.

I picked this song of his as it seems to keep being held up in the songwriting classes I'm part of, it's so well constructed and ticks so many songwriting boxes. A simple subject matter that we can all relate to, referencing the past and home are great ways of tripping peoples memories, the great visual pictures he paints really bring it all to life. All those friends and people he loves, all come and going. The fact he ages throughout the song makes you feel that this is an old man that's been there and done it and is reflecting on his life. Painting a picture with words takes class.

Favourite lyric : Driving at 90 down those country lanes / Singing to Tiny Dancer

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