The A Team
by Ed Sheeran
What is “The A Team” really about?
If you’ve ever wondered what “The A Team” by Ed Sheeran is really about, you’re not alone. Let’s break it down.
Ed Sheeran's 'The A Team' is a poignant reflection on the struggles of addiction and the harsh realities faced by young women trapped in cycles of poverty and substance abuse.
So… what’s this song really about?
Ed Sheeran's 'The A Team' tells a harrowing story of a young woman caught in a destructive cycle of addiction. The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of her daily struggles, from battling the elements in inadequate clothing to engaging in prostitution to fund her addiction. Sheeran uses stark imagery, like 'crumbling like pastries,' to depict her physical and emotional deterioration. The notion of 'Class A Team' cunningly plays on the classification of drugs and hints at her battle with high-risk substances.
The chorus and post-chorus amplify the themes of despair and entrapment, suggesting that the 'worst things in life come free to us'—a reference to how the seemingly free highs of drugs come at the ultimate cost. This transformative portrayal not only personalizes the larger societal issue of drug addiction but also critiques the socio-economic structures that leave the vulnerable exposed to such bleak realities. Through subtle lyrical nuances, Sheeran conveys a sense of inevitability and tragedy, touching on the broader implications of addiction and societal neglect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What inspired Ed Sheeran to write 'The A Team'?
Ed Sheeran was inspired to write 'The A Team' after visiting a homeless shelter and hearing stories of the people there, particularly one woman's struggle with drug addiction.
Q: What genre is 'The A Team' by Ed Sheeran?
The A Team' by Ed Sheeran is primarily considered a folk song with influences from acoustic and pop music.
Lyrics to “The A Team”
188 ContributorsTranslations
[Verse 2]
Ripped gloves, raincoat
Tried to swim and stay afloat
Dry house, wet clothes
Loose change, banknotes
Weary-eyed, dry throat
Call girl, no phone
[Chorus]
And they say
She's in the Class A Team
Stuck in her daydream
Been this way since eighteen, but lately
Her face seems
Slowly sinking, wasting
Crumbling like pastries
And they scream
"The worst things in life come free to us"
[Post-Chorus]
'Cause we're just under the upper hand
And go mad for a couple grams
But she don't wanna go outside tonight
And in a pipe, she flies to the Motherland
Or sells love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly
[Bridge]
An angel will die, covered in white
Closed eye and hopin' for a better life
This time, we'll fade out tonight
Straight down the line
[Chorus]
And they say
She's in the Class A Team
Stuck in her daydream
Been this way since eighteen, but lately
Her face seems
Slowly sinking, wasting
Crumbling like pastries
And they scream
"The worst things in life come free to us"
[Post-Chorus]
And we're all under the upper hand
And go mad for a couple grams
And we don't wanna go outside tonight
And in a pipe, we fly to the Motherland
Or sell love to another man
It's too cold outside
For angels to fly
[Outro]
Angels to fly
Fly, fly
For angels to fly
To fly, to fly
Angels to die