Analysis

Beautiful People

Ed Sheeran · Ed Sheeran

13+
Verdict
Safe

Mild drug reference, positive anti-materialism message

Detailed Analysis

These lyrics by Ed Sheeran and Khalid are largely wholesome and carry a positive, grounded message. The song critiques the shallow, materialistic culture of celebrity and social status (Hollywood party scene, designer clothes, fashion shows), while celebrating authentic love and identity. The reference to 'champagne and rolled-up notes' is the most notable content concern, as 'rolled-up notes' is a commonly understood euphemism for snorting cocaine or other substances. This is a mild but real drug reference. There is no explicit language, sexual content, or violence. The romantic themes are tender and non-sexual. The overall message actively discourages superficiality and encourages genuine connection, making it broadly appropriate with minor parental awareness around the drug-adjacent reference.

Themes

materialism

authenticity

romantic love

drug references

social pressure

celebrity culture

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Lyrics

One, two, three LA on a Saturday night in the summer Sundown, and they all come out Lamborghinis and their rented Hummers The party's on, so they're headin' downtown Everybody's lookin' for a come up And they wanna know what you're about Me in the middle with the one I love, and Oh, we're just tryna figure everythin' out We don't fit in well 'cause we are just ourselves I could use some help gettin' out of this conversation, yeah You look stunning, dear, so don't ask that question here This is my only fear, that we become Beautiful people Drop top, designer clothes Front row at fashion shows What d'you do? And who d'you know? Inside the world of beautiful people Champagne and rolled-up notes Prenups and broken homes Surrounded, but still alone Let's leave the party That's not who we are We are, we are, we are We are not beautiful Yeah, that's not who we are We are, we are, we are We are not beautiful Mmm, LA, mm, drove for hours last night and we made it nowhere Well, I see stars in your eyes when we're halfway there Oh, now I'm not fazed by all them lights and flashin' cameras 'Cause with my arms around you, there's no need to care We don't fit in well 'cause we are just ourselves I could use some help gettin' out of this conversation, yeah You look stunning, dear, so don't ask that question here This is my only fear, that we become Beautiful people Drop top, designer clothes Front row at fashion shows What d'you do? And who d'you know? Inside the world of beautiful people Champagne and rolled-up notes Prenups and broken homes Surrounded, but still alone Let's leave the party That's not who we are We are, we are, we are We are not beautiful Yeah, that's not who we are We are, we are, we are We are not beautiful We are, we are, we are We are not beautiful


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Analysis performed on September 22, 2026