End Of Youth

We spend our youth with arms and hearts wide open And then the dark gets in and that's the end of youth Ed Sheeran's best friend, music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, died of a fatal drug overdose on February 20, 2022. Sheeran was devastated by the death of his close pal, who was like a brother to him. On "End Of Youth" Sheeran recounts the physical and emotional toll his grief has taken on him. He sings of how the carefree nature of youth will never be reclaimed again, and how he feels like he has lost a part of himself.

Is this the endin' of our youth when pain starts takin' over? I just don't know if I can ever just let it go Everything's fallin' apart, when love is real, there's never closure I guess it's all part of life, but I can't help but feel low The poignant chorus serves as a heartfelt plea for help. It resonates with the perpetual cycle of losing loved ones as time goes by, amplifying the sorrow that ensues.

Reflecting on this song's theme of grief, Ed Sheeran candidly shared his observations and personal experiences. He said that many friends who had previously kept their struggles hidden began opening up to him after his loss. This newfound vulnerability broke down invisible barriers, allowing Sheeran to have deep conversations with his parents and friends. Through these conversations, Sheeran realized that profound challenges, such as grief, depression, and anxiety, are a part of growing up. He is grateful that he experienced these challenges in his 30s, but he knows that many of his friends had to endure them at a much younger age. This realization has given Sheeran a new perspective on life. He now understands the profound impact that losing one's youth and being thrust into adulthood can have. He believes it is fundamentally unfair that some people have to deal with adult hardships at such a young age.