What Do I Know?

"What Do I Know?" is a heartfelt anthem about the power of music and love to enact positive change in a world preoccupied with complex, often negative, issues like politics and finance. Ed Sheeran conveys a message of hopeful optimism, suggesting that he may not be an expert on global affairs, but he believes in the fundamental ability of simple, positive actions to make a difference. The song was his response to the turbulent global events of 2016 and advice from his father to avoid discussing politics and religion in his music. Sheeran uses the song as a vehicle to express his socio-political views in a non-confrontational way. The recurring phrase, 'But what do I know?', acts as a form of self-deprecation and a rhetorical device. It allows him to put forward a powerful, idealistic statement—'Love can change the world in a moment'—and then immediately disarm potential critics by feigning ignorance, as if to say, 'Don't mind me, I'm just a singer.' This approach reflects his feeling that as a musician, his opinions on serious matters might be dismissed, so he frames his message in the context of his craft: songwriting. Ultimately, the song champions the idea that one does not need a degree or a political platform to promote change; using one's own gifts, in his case music, to spread love and positivity is a valid and powerful contribution.

The narrator begins with a statement of humility, acknowledging he doesn't have a traditional platform, like a soapbox, for making grand speeches. However, he recognizes the gifts he does have: a stage, a guitar, and a song. He recalls his father's advice to steer clear of divisive topics like politics, religion, and other people's conflicts. Instead, he intends to paint a picture of a better world, one built on the values his family instilled in him—simple love, understanding, and positivity. He believes these are the core principles he will one day pass on to his own children.

The central message unfolds in the chorus, where he posits that something as simple as music—a piano, a bass, a guitar, and a beat—has the power to change the entire world. He contrasts this simple, creative approach with the complex concerns that seem to occupy everyone else's attention, such as 'exponential growth' and crashing stock markets. He portrays himself as just a simple performer, without a university degree or formal qualifications, who sits with a song he's written. His song carries a powerful, albeit simple, message: 'love could change the world in a moment.' He repeatedly follows this profound statement with the self-deprecating rhetorical question, 'But what do I know?', ironically feigning ignorance to underscore his sincere belief while acknowledging how others might dismiss his view as naive.

In the second verse, he observes the stirrings of change, mentioning seeing people marching in the streets, signaling a 'revolution' is near. He reflects on the duality of human nature, made up of both 'love and hate,' balanced precariously like on a 'razor blade.' He reiterates his mission to set a positive scene and champions the idea of people following their dreams. He emphasizes that life is about more than superficiality, like 'fittin' in your jeans,' but rather about embracing love, understanding, and positivity. The song concludes by reinforcing the core belief that the future is in our collective hands and that by coming together with love, we can all be free and truly make a difference, even if it starts with just a song.

"What Do I Know?" was written as a track for Ed Sheeran's third studio album, ÷ (Divide), which was released on March 3, 2017. The song's creation was multifaceted. On one hand, it was a 'knee-jerk reaction' to the divisive political and social events of 2016. Sheeran was guided by his father's advice to avoid getting involved in 'politics, religions or other people's quotes' in his career, a sentiment he directly references in the lyrics. This led him to channel his feelings about the state of the world into a song that championed love and music over political discourse.

A more peculiar anecdote behind its creation is that the song was written very quickly to impress a record label executive. Sheeran revealed in an interview that the head of his label had come to his house for the day, and in a desire to 'peacock' and demonstrate his songwriting speed and skill, he essentially wrote the song on the spot. The track was co-written by Ed Sheeran, Irish musician Foy Vance, and Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol. It was produced by Sheeran and McDaid. Following the album's release, Sheeran performed the song for the 2017 Comic Relief's Red Nose Day telethon, further cementing its association with positive social change.

The rhythm of "What Do I Know?" is characterized by a steady, mid-tempo 4/4 time signature, giving the song a cheerful and persistent pulse that feels both uplifting and easy to follow. This consistent, almost marching, beat enhances the song's anthemic quality, encouraging listeners to feel part of a positive movement. The interplay between the strummed acoustic guitar and the simple drum pattern creates a rhythmic foundation that is characteristic of the folk-pop genre.

The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, often following an ABCB pattern in the verses (e.g., 'upon' / 'song' / 'in' / 'quarrel'). This straightforward structure is common in folk and pop music, making the lyrics memorable and song-like. Sheeran uses primarily perfect rhymes, which contributes to the song's clear and unpretentious feel. The lyrical rhythm flows naturally over the musical beat, with a conversational cadence that makes the profound message feel accessible and sincere.

Musically, "What Do I Know?" employs a straightforward folk-pop arrangement. The song is driven by a rhythmic acoustic guitar line, a steady, upbeat tempo, and a simple, memorable melody, which all contribute to its optimistic and accessible feel. The instrumentation is relatively sparse, focusing on acoustic elements that align with Sheeran's singer-songwriter style, making the lyrical message the central focus.

Lyrically, Sheeran utilizes a humble and self-deprecating narrative voice. This persona is established through lines like 'I'm just a boy with a one-man show' and the titular hook. The key literary technique is the use of irony and rhetorical questioning in the phrase 'But what do I know?'. After making a bold, sincere claim that 'love can change the world in a moment,' this question serves to preemptively diffuse criticism and present his profound idea with a veneer of simplicity and humility. He uses direct and conversational language, making the song feel like a personal reflection rather than a sermon. This plain-spoken style enhances the song's authenticity and makes its message of positivity feel more grounded and relatable to a broad audience.

"What Do I Know?" was released as a track on Ed Sheeran's third album, ÷ (Divide), which was a monumental commercial success and the best-selling global album of 2017. The album dominated charts worldwide, and in the UK, it broke records by placing ten songs in the top 10 of the singles chart simultaneously, with "What Do I Know?" reaching as high as number 9. This immense popularity ensured the song's message of positivity reached a massive audience. Its cultural impact was further solidified when Sheeran performed it for the Comic Relief's Red Nose Day fundraising telethon in 2017, aligning the song directly with charitable causes and social good. While not released as a standalone lead single, its strong chart performance and thematic content have made it a fan favorite and a significant track within Sheeran's discography, embodying his persona as a force for accessible, positive messaging in mainstream music.

The song is built on a central metaphor: music as a catalyst for global change. Sheeran contrasts simple musical instruments—'a piano, add a bass, some guitar'—with the complex, often overwhelming systems of the modern world, such as the 'stock market crashing' and 'exponential growth'. This juxtaposition symbolizes the power of simple, humanistic actions (creating music, spreading love) to heal a world obsessed with complicated and often divisive issues.

Another key piece of imagery is the 'soapbox'. He sings, 'Ain't got a soapbox I can stand upon,' which literally refers to a makeshift platform for public speaking. Symbolically, it represents his lack of desire or qualification to be a political orator or pundit. He immediately contrasts this with what God did give him: 'a stage, a guitar and a song,' positioning his music as his true and authentic platform for communication and influence.

Finally, the concept of a 'one-man show' with 'no university, no degree' is a metaphor for the common person's perspective. It symbolizes the idea that wisdom and the ability to make a positive impact are not exclusive to the educated elite. It's a humble stance that makes his grand message about love changing the world feel more accessible and universal.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, 'But what do I know?'. It functions as the central hook and the song's primary rhetorical device. Each time it appears, it follows the powerful assertion that 'love can change the world in a moment.' This repetition ironically juxtaposes a grand, idealistic statement with feigned ignorance, creating the song's core theme of humble optimism.

Another crucial recurring motif is the idea of spreading 'love and understanding, positivity.' This phrase is presented as a core value passed down from his family and one he wishes to instill in the future. Its repetition solidifies it as the song's central, actionable message.

Finally, the motif of creating change through simple musical tools—'a piano, add a bass, some guitar'—recurs, reinforcing the idea that one's passions and talents, no matter how simple they may seem, are powerful enough to have a global impact.