While in some ways “Bad Habits” is a pop-ier departure from Sheeran’s usual style, in other ways it’s a continuation of themes he’s explored before. It’s the ability to present the paradoxical paradigm between the two which makes Sheeran’s song and music video stand out. The world’s full of songs about one or the other. Besides the obvious association of vampires with the night and its “Bad Habits,” there’s musical precedent for such supernaturally nocturnal turns, from “Werewolves of London” to Michael Jackson’s dancing zombies in the legendary music video to “Thriller.”Īnd as in “Thriller,” Sheeran juxtaposes typically dark imagery with a musically upbeat bop of a pop song, with both music videos only reinforcing the songs’ aura of danger tinged with excitement. His vampiric appearance in the song is certainly fitting given the song’s focus on late night activities. Two weeks before its release, on June 11 th, a blown-up image of Sheeran in his pink-blazered vampiric getup graced the Tate Modern. Months before the song’s release, on April 23 rd, Sheeran was spotted dressed as a vampire in London during the filming of the video. Then there’s the content of the music video itself. They have made concerts and large group scenes such as those seen in “Bad Habits” impossible until recently, making them all the more noticeable here. The past year-plus of the pandemic and the prohibition against large crowds that’s come with it has extended to the music world. Those eased-up COVID restrictions had a big impact on the music video itself. Hence why “Bad Habits” sheet music looks and sounds different, as the song’s meant to be a fun beat fit for good times set to a song all about “Bad Habits” and the negative feelings that accompany them. As Sheeran puts it, “I was in the studio and we created this song and it’s just fun, I think.” This is by design, and a direct response to the fear of sounding two downbeat amidst the upbeat mood anticipated by the UK’s planned reopening following loosening COVID restrictions. Despite the content of the song (as noted below) still touching on more serious themes, there’s no denying that the music itself is a bit more pop-friendly and upbeat than previous Sheeran songs. However, the song itself was a departure from earlier, slower, often more melancholic entries in Sheeran’s discography. In one sense, it was classic Sheeran, acoustic guitar and all. However, the UK’s announcement post-February 2021 that they aimed to open up in June made them second guess that decision, with Sheeran himself saying “I was like, ‘I don’t know if the world needs a depressing sad, slow acoustic song when it’s all opening up.’”įast forward to June 25 th, when Sheeran appeared on James Corden’s Late Late Show to debut the song on TV. His acoustic style’s what tends to lead searches for Ed Sheeran sheet music. As Rolling Stone reports, Sheeran and his producers initially conceived of another acoustic song in the vein of his past guitar-strumming hits. While nobody should be talking about “the end of the pandemic” just yet, it’s those restrictions loosening and accompanying good mood we have to thank for “Bad Habits.” At least that’s part of the inspiration, as related by Sheeran himself. Still, with vaccination rates above 50%, and Sheeran’s native UK seeing restrictions loosen amid 75% of adults having received two vaccines as of the 11 th of August, the mood around COVID has changed. It is still ongoing with the Delta variant still fueling cases, no matter how much some people (or governments) wish to pretend otherwise. It’s fair to say that few things have reshaped society as radically as the COVID pandemic. seem to think so, and that’s a big reason why “Bad Habits” exists as we know it. While, as Elton John famously put it, “Sad Songs Say So Much,” is it possible that they can be too sad and say too much in the Age of COVID? Ed Sheeran and Co.
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