Let It Rain: Is Ed Sheeran’s Song Like Blues Music?
A look at the lyrics of Ed Sheeran’s “Let It Rain” and how they compare to the elements of the blues.
The Nature of Blues Music
Blues music is a genre that is often misunderstood. It is commonly thought to be sad and depressing, but this is not always the case. Blues music is actually very complex and diverse, and it can be happy, sad, or anything in between. Ed Sheeran’s song “Let It Rain” is a good example of this.
What is the blues?
The blues is a musical genre that originated in the African-American communities of the southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The genre developed from the folk music of slaves and incorporates elements of West African musical traditions. The blues is characterized by simple, repetitive lyrical constructs often relating to the struggles of life, such as love, work, and heartache.
The blues often uses blue notes — slightly flattened third, fifth, and seventh notes — which gives the music its signature sound. The genre also influenced other genres of music, such as jazz and rock & roll. The earliest known publication of “blue” note sheet music was in 1908.
Where did the blues come from?
The blues is a style of music that originated in the southern United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The term “blues” refers to the feeling of sadness or melancholy that is often expressed in the lyrics of blues songs.
The blues developed from earlier African-American musical traditions, such as spirituals, work songs, and field hollers. The first recorded use of the term “blues” was in 1908, when W.C. Handy published a collection of his own compositions under the title The Blues: An Anthology.
The popularity of the blues grew rapidly in the early 20th century, with performers such as Ma Rainey, Bessie Smith, and Louis Armstrong becoming some of the most famous musicians in the world. The blues had a significant impact on later styles of music, including jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll.
What are the characteristics of blues music?
The following is a list of essential characteristics that define blues music. Although not all blues songs will contain all of these elements, these are the core ingredients that make a song sound “bluesy.”
-A slow tempo
-A 12-bar or 8-bar chord progression
-Blue notes (flattened 3rd, 5th, and 7th notes)
-Call and response between the lead instrument and the rest of the band
-Hammered or slide guitar techniques
-Piano or organ fills
-Tight bass and drum accompaniment
Ed Sheeran’s “Let It Rain”
Ed Sheeran’s “Let It Rain” is a song that has been debated over whether it is classified as blues music. While the song does have some elements of blues, such as the use of a slide guitar, the overall feeling of the song is more optimistic and positive.
What is the song about?
Ed Sheeran’s “Let It Rain” is a song about a relationship that is going through a difficult time. The song is told from the perspective of the person who is struggling in the relationship, and it is clear that they are ready for it to end.
The song starts with the person asking for help from God, and it is clear that they are feeling hopeless. They are tired of fighting, and they just want the pain to end. The person recognizes that their relationship is not healthy, but they still can’t seem to let go.
The chorus of the song reflects the person’s desire for the rain to wash away their pain. They are ready for a fresh start, and they want the storm to help them move on. The chorus also reflects the person’s acceptance that their relationship is over, and that they need to let go.
Overall, “Let It Rain” is a sad but hopeful song about moving on from a difficult relationship.
How does the song reflect the blues?
Many of Ed Sheeran’s songs have been categorized as being reflective of the blues genre. “Let It Rain” is no different. The lyrics of the song reflect many of the themes found in traditional blues music. These include heartbreak, love, and loss. The song also features the use of repetition, which is often found in blues songs. This means that the chorus of the song is repeated multiple times throughout the course of the song.
What are the similarities between the two?
Taking a closer look at Ed Sheeran’s “Let It Rain”, we can see that there are several similarities between the lyrics of the song and the elements of traditional blues music. For example, both the song and blues music generally deal with themes of heartache and loss. In addition, both make use of repetition as a means of emphasizing certain points or emotions.
Another similarity can be found in the structure of both “Let It Rain” and blues songs in general. Both tend to follow a similar format, which usually consists of three verse-chorus pairs followed by a bridge or chorus extension. This structure allows for a sense of cohesion and flow, making it easy for listeners to follow along.
Lastly, both “Let It Rain” and blues songs make use of different musical instruments to create their sound. For example, Ed Sheeran’s song features a piano, guitar, and drum set, while blues songs often make use of guitars, harmonicas, and pianos. This variety helps to create unique sounds that can be easily identifiable by listeners.
Conclusion
Ed Sheeran’s “Let It Rain” is a popular song that has been argued to be similar to Blues music. While there are some similarities between the two genres, there are also several key differences. In this article, we will explore the similarities and differences between “Let It Rain” and Blues music.
What does this all mean?
As you can see, Ed Sheeran’s song has many of the same characteristics as traditional blues songs. While this doesn’t necessarily mean that the song is a “blues song,” it does show that it has many of the same elements that make up this genre of music.
What are the implications of this analysis?
The implications of this analysis are that Ed Sheeran’s song is not like blues music.
