Paradise

"Paradise" by George Ezra is a euphoric and unabashed celebration of falling in love. The song's central meaning revolves around the idea that the feeling of being in love is so overwhelming and blissful that it creates a personal utopia, or "paradise," for the individual. Ezra explained that the song is not about a specific love story, but rather about the powerful effect love has on one's psyche. It captures the 'heady' and all-consuming emotion of the early stages of a relationship, where nothing else seems to matter because you are in your own private world with that person. Ezra likens love to paradise because of its certainty; while other feelings might be confusing, love is an undeniable and pure emotion. The lyrics convey a sense of genuine, heartfelt emotion, assuring the listener that this feeling is real and profound, a sensation described as running "through your bloody veins."

The song opens with a direct address to a loved one, immediately establishing a sense of deep affection and connection. The singer declares that being with this person is his version of paradise, a state of perfect happiness that affects both his heart and mind. He uses a stuttering effect on the word "mind," perhaps to convey being overwhelmed by emotion. He then expresses a determined commitment, vowing to overcome any distance or obstacle—symbolized by a "mighty long road"—to be with his partner, promising to find and hold them.

A recurring theme is the authenticity of his feelings. The singer acknowledges that his beloved may have heard similar declarations of love from others before, but he insists that his profession of love is genuine and deeply felt. This isn't a fleeting infatuation; it's a real, tangible emotion that he needs her to believe in.

The chorus erupts with the central metaphor of the song: if it feels like paradise coursing through your veins, you can be certain that love is responsible. This powerful imagery likens the feeling of love to a potent, life-affirming substance that fills one's entire being with warmth and joy. It's an undeniable, physical sensation that confirms the presence of true love.

The second verse continues to explore the all-consuming nature of this love. The singer describes his time as a "never-ending helter-skelter," a whirlwind of joyous chaos that he is happy to experience with his partner, regardless of external circumstances. His heart beats a powerful, thumping rhythm, a testament to how alive this love makes him feel. This visceral, physical reaction underscores the intensity of his emotions.

The bridge shifts to a more direct plea, a call to his lover to meet him in this shared state of paradise. The repetition of "Hold on, hold on, meet me there" acts as both an invitation and a promise, reinforcing their bond and the idea that this paradise is a place they create and inhabit together. The song concludes on this hopeful and ecstatic note, solidifying the idea of love as the ultimate, shared utopia.

"Paradise" was written by George Ezra and released on January 19, 2018, as the second single from his sophomore album, Staying at Tamara's. The melody for the song came to Ezra much earlier, while on tour in California for his first album. He was sick with a cold on the tour bus, and in a moment of feeling sorry for himself, he started singing the melody and recorded it on his Dictaphone, only to rediscover it eight months later. The song was co-written by Ezra and Joel Potts, frontman of the band Athlete, with production handled by Cam Blackwood, who also produced Ezra's debut. The recording sessions took place at Blackwood's Voltaire Road Studios and were described as a 'patchwork' or 'collage of styles'. The song was inspired by Ezra's relationship with his girlfriend at the time, Florrie Arnold, who also contributed background vocals and drums to the track. Ezra aimed to capture the feeling of falling in love and the escapism that comes with it, which was a central theme of the album. The final version features gang vocals sung by Ezra and Blackwood, intended to add a fun, party-like atmosphere and prevent the song from taking itself too seriously.

"Paradise" is built on a simple and effective rhythmic foundation that drives the song's energetic and cheerful mood. It is set in a common time signature with a fast tempo of approximately 140 beats per minute. The rhythm is propelled by a steady, four-on-the-floor style drumbeat and a driving bassline, creating a feel that is easy to clap and dance to, making it a festival favorite. The lyrical rhythm often features a call-and-response structure, especially in the verses (e.g., "My love... my love"), which enhances its catchy, singalong quality. The rhyme scheme is relatively simple, focusing on couplets and near rhymes within its structure (e.g., "veins/way"). The repetition of the chorus and the bridge ("Hold on, hold on / Meet me there") creates a hypnotic, anthemic effect, making the song highly memorable. The interplay between the fast-paced lyrical delivery and the driving musical rhythm is key to the song's feeling of euphoric momentum.

Musically, "Paradise" is characterized by its upbeat, driving tempo (around 140 BPM) and a buoyant, pop-rock arrangement. It features Ezra's signature deep, baritone vocal delivery, which creates a compelling contrast with the song's bright and energetic instrumentation. The track builds from a simple guitar and vocal base into a fuller sound with a prominent, thumping drum beat, bass, and layers of vocals. A notable technique is the use of 'gang' or 'shouty' backing vocals, inspired by old-school hip-hop, which adds a communal, anthemic quality to the track. Lyrically, Ezra employs direct address ("My love, my lover") and repetition to create a memorable and infectious hook. The stuttering effect in "m-m-m-m-mind" adds a touch of vulnerability, suggesting a mind overwhelmed by love. The production is clean with a 'crunch' to it, blending live takes with programmed elements to create a polished yet energetic sound.

"Paradise" was a significant commercial success and had a notable cultural impact. It was the second single from Ezra's multi-platinum second album, Staying at Tamara's, which reached number one in the UK. The song itself peaked at number two on the UK Singles Chart and performed well internationally, reaching the top ten in countries like Austria, Belgium, and Ireland, and hitting number one in Scotland. Its popularity was boosted by extensive radio play and live performances on prominent TV shows like The Graham Norton Show and The One Show. "Paradise" became one of the biggest tracks of 2018 and a staple in Ezra's live sets, celebrated for its upbeat, festival-ready energy. The song's success contributed to Ezra winning the Brit Award for British Male Solo Artist in 2019, solidifying his status as one of the biggest selling male artists of the decade.

The song's primary metaphor is explicitly stated in its title and chorus: love as paradise. This isn't a physical place but an emotional state of pure bliss and contentment. Ezra uses this metaphor to describe the all-encompassing, euphoric feeling of falling for someone. The line, "If it feels like paradise running through your bloody veins," is a powerful piece of imagery that transforms the abstract emotion of love into a tangible, physical substance coursing through the body, highlighting its intensity and life-giving force. The "mighty long road" symbolizes the challenges and distances that one is willing to overcome for love, reinforcing themes of commitment and determination. The heart as a "boom-boom heart" that's "a-beating, it's a-thumping" is a simple yet effective use of onomatopoeia and personification to convey the vibrant, life-affirming energy that love provides. The description of time as a "never-ending helter-skelter" captures the thrilling, chaotic, and joyous nature of a new romance.

The most significant recurring motif in "Paradise" is the word "paradise" itself, used to equate the feeling of being in love with a state of ultimate happiness. Its repetition in the chorus solidifies the song's central theme. The phrase "My love" and its variants open the song, immediately establishing an intimate and affectionate tone that is maintained throughout. The lyrical motif, "I know you heard it from those other boys / But this time it's real," is another crucial recurring element. It appears before each chorus, serving to build anticipation and emphasize the sincerity and uniqueness of the singer's feelings. The call to "Meet me there" in the bridge acts as a recurring invitation, reinforcing the idea of paradise as a shared space for the couple. Musically, the bright, strummed guitar riff and the energetic, thumping drum beat serve as recurring instrumental motifs that define the song's feel-good character.