Dusty
Ed Sheeran Lyrics


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I heard you callin', now my eyes are open
Day is breaking into powder blue
Sunlight is framin' our every moment
What a way to start off the day with you

Flick a finger
Start a discussion to pick a singer
This one, you'll love it, I had to bring her
Just let the speakers take you away

And drop the needle on Dusty
Frost on the leaves like a lake
The moment came out of nothin'
A beautiful smile on your face
Yesterday was a long night
But I got a feeling that the future is so bright
All of the pressure washed away in the low tide
But we gotta wait 'til our clothes are bone dry
So I'll drop the needle on Dusty

We were lost within a stormy ocean
Nobody knew what we were goin' through
We talk about it as we dip our toes in
Take a breath and brace for the waves with you

Flick a finger
Wait for the magic to do its thing, yeah
There's more than sadness we got within us
Let's put some color into the gray

And drop the needle on Dusty
Frost on the leaves like a lake
The moment came out of nothin'
A beautiful smile on your face
Yesterday was a long night
But I got a feeling that the future is so bright
All of the pressure washed away in the low tide
We gotta wait 'til our clothes are bone dry
So I'll drop the needle on Dusty

Nothing but static on the stereo before today
Both on the edge to throw it all away
I used to think that every situation stayed the same
But I can see they start to change, okay

Drop the needle on Dusty
Frost on the leaves like a lake
The moment came out of nothin'
A beautiful smile on your face
Yesterday was a long night
I got a feeling that the future is so bright
All of the pressure washed away in the low tide
We gotta wait 'til our clothes are bone dry
So I'll drop the needle on Dusty





Drop the needle on Dusty
Drop the needle on Dusty

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Ed Sheeran's song "Dusty" are about finding joy and hope in the midst of difficulties. The opening lines describe the beauty of a sunrise and the singer's happiness to be sharing it with someone. The lyrics then shift to the power of music to bring people together and transport them to another place. The line "drop the needle on Dusty" refers to playing a vinyl record, specifically a record by American singer Dusty Springfield. The act of putting on the record is a communal experience, inviting the listener and their companion to share in the enjoyment of the music.


The second verse describes the difficulties the singer and their companion have gone through, comparing them to being lost in a stormy ocean. However, they are now able to talk about their struggles and support one another. The repetition of "drop the needle on Dusty" throughout the song acts as a mantra, reminding the singers and listeners that they can find joy and hope in music, even when things feel tough. The closing lines reinforce this message, emphasizing the transformative power of music and the hope for a brighter future.


Overall, "Dusty" is a song about finding beauty and happiness in everyday moments, and using music as a source of respite and connection. The song encourages listeners to find joy in simple experiences, and to use music as a tool to connect with others and find hope even in difficult times.


Line by Line Meaning

I heard you callin', now my eyes are open
I am now aware of your presence and ready to start a new day with you


Day is breaking into powder blue
The morning sky is turning a soft shade of blue


Sunlight is framin' our every moment
The sun's light is casting a beautiful glow on everything around us


What a way to start off the day with you
I am grateful to be spending this moment with you


Flick a finger
Make a small, effortless gesture


Start a discussion to pick a singer
Let's talk about which musician to listen to


This one, you'll love it, I had to bring her
I am confident you will enjoy this artist and brought their music for us to listen to


Just let the speakers take you away
Just relax and let the music transport you


And drop the needle on Dusty
Let's listen to Dusty's music by putting on a vinyl record


Frost on the leaves like a lake
The leaves have a frosty appearance similar to a frozen lake


The moment came out of nothin'
This moment we are sharing was unexpected


A beautiful smile on your face
Your smile is a wonderful thing to see and enjoy


Yesterday was a long night
Yesterday was a tiring evening


But I got a feeling that the future is so bright
Despite the past being difficult, I am filled with hope for the future


All of the pressure washed away in the low tide
All the stress and worry has vanished like the receding tide


But we gotta wait 'til our clothes are bone dry
We need to be patient until everything is completely settled and resolved


We were lost within a stormy ocean
We were struggling and overwhelmed by our circumstances


Nobody knew what we were goin' through
No one else understood the challenges we faced


We talk about it as we dip our toes in
We reflect on our difficulties while standing in the water


Take a breath and brace for the waves with you
We take a deep breath and prepare to face the challenges ahead together


Wait for the magic to do its thing, yeah
Let's be patient and see what happens with the music


There's more than sadness we got within us
We are capable of feeling emotions beyond just sadness


Let's put some color into the gray
Let's inject some positivity into our situation


Nothing but static on the stereo before today
We didn't have good music to listen to before this moment


Both on the edge to throw it all away
We both felt like giving up before this moment


I used to think that every situation stayed the same
I used to believe that my circumstances would never improve


But I can see they start to change, okay
I am recognizing that things are starting to improve


Drop the needle on Dusty
Let's listen to Dusty's music again




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Aaron Brooking Dessner, Edward Christopher Sheeran

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@veronicam2935

Dusty - I wrote this about waking up in the mornings with my eldest daughter. I would get in late from being at Jamal’s mural and cry myself to sleep, then wake up hours later to an energetic, beautiful, smiling girl. It was a real juxtaposition. Children are incredible how they can just bring so much joy into dark situations without knowing it. I took her downstairs, made breakfast, and we put a vinyl on. Every morning we do this. And she chooses it. Flick a finger, start a discussion to pick a singer. And the singer this particular morning was Dusty Springfield. So we dropped the needle on Dusty
- Ed Sheeran

@sherrydumaresq5108

So beautiful!

@taylorlondoncreative

My god ❤

@Jammer2727

That’s his daughter irl?

@veronicam2935

@SuperDocMario jr No, plus Ed's daughter Lyra is under 3 years old

@susanmei9980

I’m new to his music, so don’t know the backstory. Who is Jamal?

13 More Replies...

@pilotjim60

I'm 63 years old. I saw Mr. Sheeran two nights ago in Clearwater FL. He played the entire album. When he explained this song, I believe, I was one of few that knew who "Dusty" was. As a kid Dusty Springfield was a voice I knew......along with her hits. "Drop a needle" was recognized as a term for playing a vinyl album. Great lyric. Great song. Great album......and yes.....I purchased it. Also, saw him in a 2200 seat hall. Hey Ed "you rock". Thank you.

@xohannahbananaa

This was the first visualizer that made me cry. In spite of the heaviness in a lot of these songs, there’s something really beautiful about this version of him. He’s not a celebrity or a singer/songwriter, he’s just dad and that’s enough. I really love that, thanks for letting us see it ❤

@WolfooKidsSongs

i love it

@marielangelavelasquez2783

Ed is like the brother who you've seen grow from this awkward guy to an amazing father. And you just can't help but root for him. By showing us your vulnerabilities, you helped us overcome our own aches and fears. You deserve all the love in the world. 💛

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