Save Myself
Ed Sheeran Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I gave all my oxygen to people that could breathe
I gave away my money and now we don't even speak
I drove miles and miles, but would you do the same for me?
Oh, honestly?
Offered off my shoulder just for you to cry upon
Gave you constant shelter and a bed to keep you warm
They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a song
It goes on and on

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself

I gave you all my energy and I took away your pain
'Cause human beings are destined to radiate or dream
What line do we stand upon 'cause from here looks the same?
And only scars remain

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself

But if don't
Then I'll go back
To where I'm rescuing a stranger
Just because they needed saving just like that
Oh, I'm here again
Between the devil and the danger
But I guess it's just my nature
My dad was wrong
'Cause I'm not like my mum
'Cause she'd just smile and I'm complaining in a song
But it helps
So before I save someone else
I've got to save myself

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself




And before I blame someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I love someone else, I've got to love myself

Overall Meaning

The song "Save Myself" by Ed Sheeran is about the importance of self-preservation before trying to help others who might not deserve it. The first verse describes how the singer gave his own resources to people who did not appreciate it or reciprocate it. The singer wanted to know if the person he did it for would have done the same thing for him. The second verse, on the other hand, is about how the singer has numbed his pain with substances like alcohol and pills. Despite the love of others around him, the singer feels like they have abandoned him. The song concludes with the singer accepting that if he does not save himself first, he will continue to fall into the same patterns of rescuing people who do not appreciate it.


The song is a reflection of Sheeran's own experience of burning out from touring and trying to help others. Ed Sheeran said, “I struggled with [‘Save Myself’] quite a lot because I was working with a charity for a little while, and it felt like every day, it was like, ‘What have you done for me today?’ And that really grated on me because I was like, I just did this huge thing for this one person, and yet you’re asking me what I’ve done, like I haven’t done anything this week.” To save himself emotionally, Sheeran began to prioritize his own health and wellbeing.


Line by Line Meaning

I gave all my oxygen to people that could breathe
I dedicated all my time and energy to people who didn't need it and didn't appreciate it.


I gave away my money and now we don't even speak
I was generous with my money and now those people have disappeared from my life.


I drove miles and miles, but would you do the same for me?
I have gone great lengths for those people, but would they do the same for me?


Offered off my shoulder just for you to cry upon
I provided a place of comfort and support for someone in need.


Gave you constant shelter and a bed to keep you warm
I provided a safe and stable environment for someone to live in.


They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a song
Those people caused me emotional pain, and I channeled my feelings into a song.


Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
Life can be overwhelming, so I try to avoid feeling the pain.


I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
I cope with my problems by drinking and taking old medication.


And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
Those who cared about me have abandoned me.


So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
Before I help others, I need to take care of my own well-being.


But if don't
If I don't take care of myself first.


Then I'll go back to where I'm rescuing a stranger
I'll fall back into old habits of helping others before taking care of myself.


Just because they needed saving just like that
I help others because they need it, even if it's not good for me.


Oh, I'm here again between the devil and the danger
I'm back in a difficult situation that puts me at risk.


But I guess it's just my nature
Helping others is just a part of who I am.


My dad was wrong 'cause I'm not like my mum
My parent's advice about taking care of myself conflicts with my natural inclination to help others.


‘Cause she’d just smile and I'm complaining in a song
My mother didn't complain, she just smiled and took care of others.


But it helps
Writing a song about my feelings helps me cope and process them.


So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
Repeating that taking care of myself comes before helping others.


And before I blame someone else, I've got to save myself
Not blaming others for my problems, and instead focusing on taking care of myself.


And before I love someone else, I've got to love myself
Learning to love and care for myself before trying to love and care for others.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BDI Music Limited
Written by: Amy Victoria Wadge, Edward Christopher Sheeran, Timothy Lee McKenzie, Amy Wadge, Ed Sheeran, Timothy Mckenzie

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@asiataesia8228

"Save Myself"

I gave all my oxygen to people that could breath
I gave many my money and now we don't even speak
I drove miles and miles, but would you do the same for me?
Oh, honestly?
Offered off my shoulder just for you to cry again
Gave you constant shelter and a bed to keep you warm
They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a wing
Its goes on and on and on

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
My farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself

I gave you all my energy and I took away your pain
'Cause human beings are destined to radiate or dream
What time do we stand upon 'cause from here looks the same?
And only scars remain

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
My farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself

But if don't
Then I'll go back
To where I'm rescuing a stranger
Just because they needed saving just like that
Oh, I'm here again
Between the devil and the danger
But I guess it's just my nature
My dad was wrong
'Cause I'm not like my mum
'Cause she'd just smile and I'm complaining in a song
But it helps
So before I save someone else
I've got to save myself

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
My farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I save someone else, I've got to save myself



@janakoenig3135

Lyrics
I gave all my oxygen to people that could breathe
I gave away my money and now we don't even speak
I drove miles and miles, but would you do the same for me?
Oh, honestly?
Offered off my shoulder just for you to cry upon
Gave you constant shelter and a bed to keep you warm
They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a song
It goes on and on
Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
I gave you all my energy and I took away your pain
'Cause human beings are destined to radiate or dream
What line do we stand upon 'cause from here looks the same?
And only scars remain
Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
But if don't
Then I'll go back
To where I'm rescuing a stranger
Just because they needed saving just like that
Oh, I'm here again
Between the devil and the danger
But I guess it's just my nature
My dad was wrong
'Cause I'm not like my mum
'Cause she'd just smile and I'm complaining in a song
But it helps
So before I save someone else
I've got to save myself
Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I blame someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I love someone else, I've got to love myself



@assalarahali5919

Team "reading lyrics while listening" lol
"I gave all my oxygen to people that could breathe
I gave away my money and now we don't even speak
I drove miles and miles, but would you do the same for me?
Oh, honestly?
Offered off my shoulder just for you to cry upon
Gave you constant shelter and a bed to keep you warm
They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a song
Its goes on and on
Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
I gave you all my energy and I took away your pain
'Cause human beings are destined to radiate or dream
What line do we stand upon 'cause from here looks the same?
And only scars remain
Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
But if don't
Then I'll go back
To where I'm rescuing a stranger
Just because they needed saving just like that
Oh, I'm here again
Between the devil and the danger
But I guess it's just my nature
My dad was wrong
'Cause I'm not like my mum
'Cause she'd just smile and I'm complaining in a song
But it helps
So before I save someone else
I've got to save myself
Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out-of-date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me they just left me on the shelf
No farewell
So before I save someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I blame someone else, I've got to save myself
And before I love someone else, I've got to love myself"



@veronicam2935

- - | SAVE MYSELF LYRICS | --
I gave all my oxygen to people that could breath
I gave away my money and now we don’t even speak
I drove miles and miles but would you do the same for me
Oh honestly?

Offered up my shoulder just for you to cry upon
Gave you constant shelter and a bed to keep you warm
They gave me the heartache and in return I gave a song
It goes on and on and on

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me, they just left me on the shelf, no farewell
So before I save someone else, I’ve got to save myself

I gave you all my energy and I took away your pain
Cause human beings are destined to radiate or drain
What line do we stand upon cause from here it looks the same?
And only scars remain

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
I drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me, they just left me on the shelf, no farewell
So before I save someone else, I’ve got to save myself

But if I don’t then I’ll go back to where I’m rescuing a stranger
Just because they needed saving, just like that
Oh I’m here again, between the devil and the danger
But I guess it’s just my nature
My dad was wrong, cause I’m not like my mum
Cause she’d just smile and I’m complaining in a song, but it helps
So before I save someone else, I’ve got to save myself

Life can get you down so I just numb the way it feels
Or drown it with a drink and out of date prescription pills
And all the ones that love me, they just left me on the shelf, no farewell
So before I save someone else, I’ve got to save myself
And before I blame someone else, I’ve got to save myself
And before I love someone else, I’ve got to love myself



All comments from YouTube:

@ramib671

"I'm not like my mom 'cause she just smiled and I'm complaining in a song, but it helps."
God, that line hit me right in the feels.

@piepie7929

Supermarket flowers. Is the song 🎶🎤

@SoapMcCallister

pie pie yes also this

@patyl9515

That one got me as well

@davidgallegos2732

it sounds like an anime line

@mariusosa628

Exactly, It was ouc right in the heart!

6 More Replies...

@starryeyes4513

"Before I love someone else, I've got to love myself" is the lyric that got me the most

@misskb4568

same

@lillaylay4314

or "my dad was wrong cause i'm not like my mum cause she'd just smile and i'm complaining in a song... but it helps"

@lilycollan7758

мine we're "life can get yoυ dowм ѕo i jυѕt nυм way it feelѕ"

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