Music Review: Ed Sheeran "Lego House"

Ed Sheeran

Lego House

Album: +

Year: 2011

               Ed Sheeran attempts to repair his relationship with his girlfriend in the vigilant “Lego House.”

                 A docile guitar opens the single, setting an assuaging tone. He shouldn’t have told her she does nothing around their apartment. He picks up his cell phone and finds her in his contact list. He debates calling her. It’s up to him to fix what happened. It will mean rebuilding their fractured relationship, damaged by his words. It may not be enough, though. Maybe she won’t be able to trust him anymore. Maybe he will push her away again. Then, he’ll be able to know sure he at least tried. Often, when he’s irritated or upset, he’ll take it out on her. His sarcastic “I love you” turns into an “I hate you.”  But for the past three weeks, he’s been wondering if she’s had a good day at work or if she’s afraid to call him. (“I'm gonna pick up the pieces/And build a Lego house/If things go wrong we can knock it down/My three words have two meanings/There's one thing on my mind/It's all for you.”)

             In the pre-chorus, it’s the holidays. She usually is the one who keeps him sane around his family. His words cut deep and he would like a chance to reassure her whatever he said wasn’t true. He’ll keep his temper in check. He has a lot going on right now and  she doesn’t need the added stress put onto her.  (“And it's dark in a cold December, but I've got you to keep me warm/If you're broken I will mend you and/ I'll keep you sheltered from the storm that's raging on now.”)

            In the chorus, he admits to only thinking about himself.  When she needs someone to help her, he’ll be there for her. He knows now he’s taken her for granted. She deals with plenty of his problems and stands back, supporting him. He hasn’t put the relationship first. Once she gives him another chance, he’ll be able to make it up to her. (“I'm out of touch, I'm out of love/I'll pick you up when you're getting down/And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now/I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind/I'll do it all for you in time/And out of all these things I've done I think I love you better now.”)

        If they get back together, he will spend more time learning her habits and other facets of her personality. She’ll be in the spotlight from now on. He talks to her about the people he works with and the new restraurant he tried for lunch. However, he doesn’t start a conversation about his fears. It’s been a constant pattern in his relationships. She’s opened up to him and it’s time for him to do the same. (“I'm gonna paint you by numbers/And colour you in/If things go right we can frame it and put you on a wall/And it's so hard to say it but I've been here before/Now I'll surrender up my heart/And swap it for yours.”)

           The chorus is sung again.

           In the bridge, he’s decided to call her. She has responded with short, curt answers. He asks her if they can meet. Tears are in his eyes as she pauses. She tells him no and hangs up on him. He bursts into tears. He screwed up and lost the best thing in his life. (“Don't hold me down/I think my braces are breaking, and it's more than I can take.”)

             The pre-chorus is sung again.

           The chorus is sung twice to end the single.

         Sheeran’s unwavering, lovesick vocals are rueful, throwing pebbles at windows and sending roses to get her to realize he’s not what she thinks. He’s ashamed of his behavior and knows he’s been immature.

      Products used in music function either as an advertisement or a random pop culture bit. Sheeran successfully uses it as a metaphor for the perfect relationship. Considering it’s a children’s toy, there’s innocence to it: wide backyard for the dog and kids to play in, a second story game room. All their future plans exist in the house. He intends to make her childhood dream come true. 

          The skillful “Lego House” knows it may not get a second chance but it deserves to be heard.