Song Analysis - Perfect by Ed Sheeran

December 27, 2025 by Abhirath Mahipal


Lyrics copied verbatim from Genius.

General

  • Slow, waltz like rhythm, 3/4
  • Triplets, prominent vocals
  • Time Signature: 6/8 because it fits better with the lyrics
  • Chord Progression: 4 chords I vi IV V from the Major Scale throughout the song
  • Ending the Chorus with Tonight

Verse

I found a love for me
Oh, darlin’, just dive right in and follow my lead
Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet
Oh, I never knew you were the someone waitin’ for me

  • Filled with rhymes
    • me, lead, sweet, me (weak rhymes and strong rhymes)
    • found - love, dive - right, love, love - follow, knew - you, never - were (weak rhymes)
  • Call to Action
    • follow my lead
  • Harmonies are minimal. Can just hear a guitar

Pre-Chorus

‘Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowin’ what it was
I will not give you up this time
But, darlin’, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you’re holdin’ mine

  • Stronger than the verse
  • Again, filled with rhymes (eyes - mine, slow - own etc)
  • kiss me slow, heart, in your eyes (imagery?)
  • Harmony addition: Dreamy/ambient textured Chords at the 1 beat

Chorus

Baby, I’m dancin’ in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass while listenin’ to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, “Darlin’, you look perfect tonight”

  • Vocals a lot higher. Verse and Pre-Chorus were kept low to create space for the Chorus.
  • Melodic tension
    • Dancin in the dark - minor 2nd tension to root, 7th to root
    • Barefoot on the grass - same as above
  • Vivid descriptions of the scene engaging multiple senses.
    • between my arms, barefoot on the grass (touch)
    • favourite song, whispered underneath my breath (sound)
  • Ending the Chorus with Tonight
  • Harmony - The ambient chords are a lot more prominent.