Friends Lyrics

Lyric discussion by T_LaDawn_X 

Cover art for Friends lyrics by Ed Sheeran

I think this song is a bit self-explanatory, but I'll give my take on it.

To me, this song tells of a complicated, forbidden love story. There is a special love that binds the two together, the kind that needs no label. The narrator expresses their frustration and sadness over this branding. The two are labeled as, "friends" when their love is too powerful to name. However, in their twisted situation, if they were to show just how Strong their love for each other was, they would run the risk of everything falling apart. Even if they were able to, no one would ever really know the true extent.

"So I could take the back road, But your eyes'll lead me straight back home. And if you know me like I know you, You should love me, you should know."

I could try and pretend there is nothing more between us, but I'm always going to end up needing you, and if you really loved me to the extent that I love you, you would know this.

What the two have goes beyond just, "friendship." The love that binds them is more than anyone could ever know, and the narrator is tired of the branding. I feel the last bridge and chorus is the narrator questioning their lack of labels. If they're not friends, then what are they? Would a label save what they have, rather than destroy it?

What they have is stronger than any friendship or ordinary love.

"I know that there's a limit to everything, But my friend's won't love me like you."

The narrator knows there has to be a limit somewhere in what they have, but they know it does not stop at just, "friends."