Beautiful People

## Single by Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid

"**Beautiful People**" is a song by Ed Sheeran featuring Khalid. It was released on June 28, 2019, from Sheeran's fourth studio album, *No.6 Collaborations Project*. It was co-written with Fred Gibson, Max Martin, and Shellback. The song uses "beautiful people" in an ironic way, which references to wealthy and famous people who lead affluent lifestyles that are highly publicized. Lyrically, the narrator acknowledges that they do not fit in that type of crowd and is even fearful of becoming like them, materialistic.

## Music video

The accompanying music video was published to YouTube the same day, directed by Andy McLeod in Catalonia, Spain. It depicts a couple who are waltz into a world full of popularity and glamor, though don't bother to try and fit in. It features cameo appearances from Sheeran and Khalid, who sit in the front row at a fashion show.

## Lyrics

**Lyrics**
[Intro: Ed Sheeran]

We are, we are, we are

[Verse 1: Ed Sheeran]

L.A. 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 ('Round here)

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

We're just tryna figure everything out

[Pre-Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

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

[Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

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

[Post-Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

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 (Beautiful)

[Verse 2: Khalid]

L.A., mmm

Drove for hours last night and we made it nowhere (Nowhere, nowhere)

I see stars in your eyes when we're halfway there (All night)

I'm not fazed by all them lights and flashin' cameras

'Cause with my arms around you, there's no need to care

[Pre-Chorus: Khalid]

We don't fit in well, 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

[Chorus: Ed Sheeran]

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

[Post-Chorus: Ed Sheeran, *Khalid*, **Both**]

That's not who **we are** (We are, we are, we are)

We are not beautiful, *yeah*

Yeah, that's not who **we are** (We are, we are, we are)

We are not beautiful (Beautiful)

[Outro: Ed Sheeran]

We are, we are, we are

We are not beautiful

## References

1. ↑ Aniftos, Rania (June 28, 2019). "Ed Sheeran Teams Up with Khalid for 'Beautiful People': Listen". *Billboard*.