THE CITY
- ED SHEERAN Lyrics

This city never sleeps
The city is bustling and always active.

I hear the people walk by when it's late
Even at night, the streets are busy with people passing by.

Sirens bleed through my windowsill
The sound of emergency sirens can be heard inside the writer's home.

I can't close my eyes
The writer is unable to sleep due to the constant noise in the city.

Can't control what I'm into
The writer is drawn to the energy and excitement of the city, but feels out of control.

This tower is alive
The tall buildings in the city seem to have their own energy and personality.

The lights that blind keep me awake
The bright lights of the city prevent the writer from sleeping.

With my hood up and lace untied, sleep fills my mind
Even with attempts to block out the noise, the writer is still consumed with thoughts of the city and cannot sleep.

London calls me a stranger
The writer is not originally from London and feels like an outsider in the city.

A traveler
The writer is someone who has moved to London from a different place.

This is now my home, my home
Despite feeling like a stranger, the writer has made a home in London.

I'm burning on the back street
The writer is feeling intense emotions and passions in the less populated areas of the city.

Stuck here sitting in the backseat
The writer feels trapped and powerless, unable to control their situation.

I'm blazing on the street
The writer is passionate about their experiences in the city, despite feeling trapped at times.

What I do isn't up to you
The writer is not influenced by the opinions of others and will make their own choices.

And if the city never sleeps, then that makes two
The writer also cannot sleep because they are too passionate and involved in the city's energy.

The pavement is my friend
The writer relies on the streets and sidewalks of the city to lead them where they need to go.

And it will take me where I need to go
The writer trusts that the city will guide them to their desired destinations.

I find it trips me up and puts me down
Despite relying on the pavement, the writer also struggles with the uneven surfaces and obstacles it presents.

This is not what I'm used to
The writer is facing new challenges and experiences in the city that they are not accustomed to.

The shop across the road fulfills my needs and gives me company when I need it
The writer finds comfort and connection in the local businesses around them.

Voices speak through my walls, I don't think I'm gonna make it past tomorrow
The writer hears the struggles and challenges of those around them and fears that they may face similar difficulties.

And my lungs hurt, And my ears bled, With the sound of the city life
The constant noise and pollution of the city is taking a physical toll on the writer's body.

Echoed in my head, Do I need this to keep me alive?
The writer is questioning whether their intense passion for the city is worth the toll it is taking on their health and wellbeing.

The traffic stops and starts, But I need to move along
The writer is determined to continue living and thriving in the city despite its challenges.

This is not my home, home
Despite having made a home in London, the writer still feels like an outsider.