Overall about difficult moments of disappointment and vulnerability. Having hope and longing, while remaining optimistic for the future. Encourages the belief that with each new morning there is a chance for things to improve.
The chorus offers a glimmer of optimism and a chance at a resolution and redemption in the future.
Captures the rollercoaster of emotions of feeling lost while loving someone who is not there for you, feeling let down and abandoned while waiting for a lover. Lost with no direction, "Now I'm up in the air with the rain in my hair, Nowhere to go, I can go anywhere"
The bridge shows signs of longing and a plea for companionship. The Lyrics express a desire for authentic connection and the importance of Loving someone just as they are. "Just in passing, I'm not asking. That you be anyone but you”
You know who it is, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
Said I'm not, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
I know it would have been nice
If I could have had your body
Knowing that everybody ain't been with you (ain't been with you)
But you told me lies
You made me give my heart away
But now I know the games you play (no way)
So I'm through with you (so I'm through with you
Listen boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover
Oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You know there's gonna be a fight
If these chicks keep calling you at night
I seen that text you're tryin' to hide, y'see I know the truth
Must be outta your mind
You thought you'd never see the day
You thought I'd let a player play but I'ma upgrade you
Listen boy, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You see there's not much you can say
He said he's done changed and I finished today
'Cause I can't do it no more
I won't be there when you call
So you best to move on, move on
'Cause I couldn't be your, your substitute more
No, no, no, no, no, no
Listen, listen yo, listen
I said you can't call my name like I'm going out of fashion
And turn around and act like nothin' ain't happen
Like no, I'm not as cracking
Only when you need a chick
Only when you think about this hotness, you get the itch
That's when you get the itch
Baby, let me be your bitch
Boy, who you think it is? Bad gal nar tek dis
Actin like a little boy, play me like a decoy
You need to grow a couple, boy, you ain't got nothin' boy
So boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no (if you're sick of these boots)
(Try cheatin' like a substitute)
(Ladies, if you know this song, I want you sing along)
Oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
I'm not your substitute lover (said I'm not)
Said I'm not, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
I know it would have been nice
If I could have had your body
Knowing that everybody ain't been with you (ain't been with you)
But you told me lies
You made me give my heart away
But now I know the games you play (no way)
So I'm through with you (so I'm through with you
Listen boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover
Oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You know there's gonna be a fight
If these chicks keep calling you at night
I seen that text you're tryin' to hide, y'see I know the truth
Must be outta your mind
You thought you'd never see the day
You thought I'd let a player play but I'ma upgrade you
Listen boy, oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
You see there's not much you can say
He said he's done changed and I finished today
'Cause I can't do it no more
I won't be there when you call
So you best to move on, move on
'Cause I couldn't be your, your substitute more
No, no, no, no, no, no
Listen, listen yo, listen
I said you can't call my name like I'm going out of fashion
And turn around and act like nothin' ain't happen
Like no, I'm not as cracking
Only when you need a chick
Only when you think about this hotness, you get the itch
That's when you get the itch
Baby, let me be your bitch
Boy, who you think it is? Bad gal nar tek dis
Actin like a little boy, play me like a decoy
You need to grow a couple, boy, you ain't got nothin' boy
So boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no (if you're sick of these boots)
(Try cheatin' like a substitute)
(Ladies, if you know this song, I want you sing along)
Oh boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Said boy, oh boy
I'm not your substitute lover, oh no
Lyrics submitted by sarararawr
No Substitute Love Lyrics as written by Paul Crosdale Melbourne Miller
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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No Surprises
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Same ideas expressed in Fitter, Happier are expressed in this song. We're told to strive for some sort of ideal life, which includes getting a good job, being kind to everyone, finding a partner, getting married, having a couple kids, living in a quiet neighborhood in a nice big house, etc. But in Fitter, Happier the narrator(?) realizes that it's incredibly robotic to live this life. People are being used by those in power "like a pig in a cage on antibiotics"--being pacified with things like new phones and cool gadgets and houses while being sucked dry. On No Surprises, the narrator is realizing how this life is killing him slowly. In the video, his helmet is slowly filling up with water, drowning him. But he's so complacent with it. This is a good summary of the song. This boring, "perfect" life foisted upon us by some higher powers (not spiritual, but political, economic, etc. politicians and businessmen, perhaps) is not the way to live. But there is seemingly no way out but death. He'd rather die peacefully right now than live in this cage. While our lives are often shielded, we're in our own protective bubbles, or protective helmets like the one Thom wears, if we look a little harder we can see all the corruption, lies, manipulation, etc. that is going on in the world, often run by huge yet nearly invisible organizations, corporations, and 'leaders'. It's a very hopeless song because it reflects real life.
Punchline
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Ed Sheeran sings about missing his former partner and learning important life lessons in the process on “Punchline.” This track tells a story of battling to get rid of emotions for a former lover, whom he now realized might not have loved him the same way. He’s now caught between accepting that fact and learning life lessons from it and going back to beg her for another chance.
Amazing
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Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Page
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There aren’t many things that’ll hurt more than giving love a chance against your better judgement only to have your heart crushed yet again. Ed Sheeran tells such a story on “Page.” On this track, he is devastated to have lost his lover and even more saddened by the feeling that he may never move on from this.
oops or a remake like convince said. i guess that makes me less mad