Celestial

"Celestial" is fundamentally a love song that explores the transcendent and healing power of a deep connection, whether with a person or a cherished memory. On one level, it speaks to a romantic relationship where one person provides an escape and a sense of euphoria for the other, lifting them out of dark and overwhelming moments. The lyrics describe a feeling of being saved from a "troubled heart" and elevated to a state of bliss, as if "drunk on stars." This interpretation centers on how a significant other can make one's problems feel distant and insignificant.

However, the song's creation for the Pokémon franchise adds a significant layer of meaning. Ed Sheeran, a lifelong Pokémon fan, has spoken about how the games provided him with an escape from negative experiences during his childhood. In this context, the "you" in the song can be interpreted as the world of Pokémon itself. The lyrics about "finding magic in all the smallest things" and being rescued from moments when "things don't look up" parallel the joy and distraction he found in the games. The song, therefore, doubles as an ode to the nostalgia and comfort that a beloved hobby or childhood memory can provide, a “world I could escape into.” The feeling it evokes is "celestial" because it's a pure, otherworldly joy rooted in the innocence and adventure of youth.

The song begins by acknowledging life's inherent fragility and the cyclical nature of love and heartbreak, comparing hearts to being “balanced on a razor blade.” The narrator admits to feeling overwhelmed when the world becomes too loud and when circumstances are discouraging. In these moments of feeling lost and heading down, there's a profound sense of reassurance from a loved one, whose arms are perceived as “reaching out from somewhere beyond the clouds.”

This connection has a transformative, almost magical effect. It makes the narrator's “troubled heart” feel a million miles away, creating a euphoric sensation described as being “drunk on stars” and “dancing out in the space.” This powerful feeling is summed up in the recurring word, “Celestial.”

The second verse builds on this theme of finding hope amidst adversity. It speaks of seeing light shining through the rain and a “silver lining that surrounds the gray.” It reinforces the idea that rising from the lowest places is possible. The plea, “When I get lost, will you come back around?” highlights a dependency on this person for guidance and support during difficult times.

The bridge shifts the focus to a more grounded, yet equally magical, philosophy. It suggests that the purpose of their connection is simple: “We were made to be nothing more than this, finding magic in all the smallest things.” This appreciation for the simple, often overlooked moments is what truly matters and gives life meaning. It’s an encouragement to make the present moment last forever.

The song culminates in a powerful final chorus, layered with the sentiments from the bridge. This juxtaposition emphasizes that the grand, “celestial” feeling is ultimately born from appreciating the small, intimate moments shared between two people. The repetition of “Celestial” in the outro solidifies the song's central theme: that love provides an escape and a feeling of otherworldly bliss, lifting one above the troubles of the mundane world.

"Celestial" was born from Ed Sheeran's lifelong passion for Pokémon. The collaboration was sparked during a trip to Japan where Sheeran met with people from The Pokémon Company. A joke about him writing a song for them evolved into a genuine project. Sheeran has been a devoted fan since primary school, owning a Game Boy Color and playing games like Pokémon Yellow and Silver, even as an adult on tour. He has described the Pokémon world as an essential escape for him during difficult times in his youth.

The song was officially released on September 29, 2022, as a collaboration with The Pokémon Company to be featured in the end credits of the video games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, which were released on November 18, 2022. Sheeran co-wrote the track with his frequent collaborators Steve Mac and Johnny McDaid, with Mac also handling production.

The accompanying music video, directed by Yuichi Kodama, is heavily inspired by Sheeran's childhood fascination. It features unique sketch-style animations of Pokémon by art director Yu Nagaba, designed to look like the doodles Sheeran drew as a child. The video depicts Sheeran going about his day with his favorite Pokémon, like Pikachu, Snorlax, and Squirtle, further cementing the song's nostalgic and personal origins. To commemorate the collaboration, Sheeran even got a tattoo of the Pokémon Squirtle.

"Celestial" employs a relatively straightforward rhyme scheme that contributes to its pop accessibility and catchy nature. The verses largely follow an AABB or ABCB pattern. For example, in the first verse, "way" (A) and "blade" (A) rhyme, while "break" (B) and "again" (B) are a near rhyme. This consistent structure makes the lyrics flow predictably and smoothly.

The pre-chorus lines, such as "loud" and "clouds," establish a rhyming couplet that builds anticipation for the chorus. The chorus itself prioritizes the melodic hook and the repetition of the key phrase "You make me feel" and the title word "Celestial" over a complex rhyme scheme, focusing on emotional impact.

Rhythmically, the song is driven by a steady, upbeat 4/4 time signature with a tempo of 123 BPM. The instrumental backing features a prominent, syncopated piano and a driving drum beat, which creates a danceable, energetic feel. Sheeran's vocal melody often uses syncopation, especially in the chorus, which adds to the feeling of uplift and movement, perfectly complementing the lyrical theme of "dancing out in the space." The interplay between the straightforward lyrical rhythm and the more syncopated musical rhythm gives the song its dynamic and motivational quality.

Musically, "Celestial" employs several techniques to create its uplifting and anthemic feel. The song is a pop track with folk-pop influences, characteristic of Ed Sheeran's style. It is set in the key of D major with an upbeat tempo of 123 BPM. The entire song is built around a simple, yet effective, four-chord progression: G–Bm–D–A. This repetitive and familiar harmonic structure makes the song catchy and accessible. The production features a synthesizer-driven beat that gives it a motivational and commercial pop sound, layered with acoustic elements that ground it in Sheeran's signature style.

Vocally, Sheeran delivers the lyrics with sincerity and emotion, building from softer verses to a powerful, soaring chorus that emphasizes the song's euphoric theme. His delivery is clear and direct, making the lyrical message easily understood.

Lyrically, the song uses strong, direct metaphors and vivid imagery, such as being "drunk on stars" and hearts being on a "razor blade," to convey complex emotions in a relatable way. The structure follows a standard verse-pre-chorus-chorus format, which makes it memorable and easy to sing along to, fulfilling its role as a pop anthem perfectly.

"Celestial" achieved significant cultural reach primarily through its direct tie-in with one of the world's largest media franchises, Pokémon. The song was prominently featured in the end credits of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch games, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, released in November 2022, exposing it to millions of gamers worldwide. This collaboration was heavily promoted across both Ed Sheeran's and Pokémon's social media channels, creating a major crossover event between pop music fans and the gaming community.

The music video, directed by Yuichi Kodama with character designs by Yu Nagaba, became a key part of its influence, celebrated for its charming and nostalgic depiction of Sheeran interacting with sketch-animated Pokémon. The video tapped into the deep nostalgia many adults feel for the franchise, resonating with those who grew up with Pokémon in the 90s.

In terms of chart performance, "Celestial" performed well globally. It peaked at number 6 on the Official Singles Chart in the UK. The song's success reinforced Ed Sheeran's status as a global superstar capable of creating commercially successful music that also holds personal significance. Furthermore, a remix of the song by Toby Fox, the creator of the video game Undertale, was featured in the DLC for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, adding another layer to its gaming legacy.

The song "Celestial" is rich with metaphors that elevate the feeling of love and escapism to an astronomical scale.

• Celestial Imagery: The central metaphor, the word "celestial," defines the entire theme. It means 'relating to the sky or outer space' or 'supremely good.' This word encapsulates the feeling of being lifted above earthly troubles and experiencing a divine or otherworldly joy.
• "Drunk on stars and we're dancing out in the space": This is a powerful metaphor for euphoria and freedom. Being "drunk on stars" suggests an intoxicating joy that is pure, vast, and overwhelming, removing the narrator from the confines of reality and into the infinite expanse of space.
• "Hearts balanced on a razor blade": This image vividly portrays emotional fragility and the precariousness of life and love. It suggests a state of high tension and risk, where things could easily go wrong.
• "Light shinin' through the rain" / "silver lining that surrounds the gray": These are classic metaphors for hope and optimism in the midst of hardship. They symbolize the ability of the loved one (or the nostalgic escape) to bring color and brightness into a dark or gloomy situation.
• "Arms... reaching out from somewhere beyond the clouds": This metaphor creates an image of a guardian angel or a guiding force. It suggests that the source of comfort and support is powerful and transcendent, able to reach the narrator even when they are at their lowest point.

The most significant recurring element in "Celestial" is the title word itself. The repetition of "Celestial" at the end of the chorus acts as the song's central hook and thematic anchor. It's not just a title but the one-word summary of the entire feeling the song aims to capture: a joy that is otherworldly, pure, and uplifting.

The lyrical phrase "You make me feel" is another crucial recurring motif. It appears at the beginning of the chorus's main lines, emphasizing that the euphoric, celestial state is a direct result of the other person's (or Pokémon's) presence and influence. This repetition builds a strong sense of gratitude and emotional dependency.

The image of being lifted from a low place is a recurring theme. Phrases like "when you're going down" and "needed to rise from the lowest place" are contrasted with the uplifting imagery of the chorus ("dancing out in the space," "a million miles away"). This contrast highlights the song's core narrative of salvation through love and nostalgia.

Finally, the bridge introduces the motif of "finding magic in all the smallest things," which is then interwoven into the final chorus. This phrase is repeated to drive home the song's deeper message: that the grand, celestial feelings are ultimately born from an appreciation of simple, everyday moments.