The narrator compares the person they are in love with to cold coffee in the morning, while they themselves are drunk from the night before. They express their desire for the person to stay with them and ask for guidance on how to love them the way they want to be loved.

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Meaning of "Cold Coffee" by Ed Sheeran


The lyrics in "Cold Coffee" evoke feelings of unrequited love and longing. The comparison of the person to cold coffee signifies their emotional unavailability, as cold coffee lacks the warmth and comfort usually associated with a morning staple. The narrator, on the other hand, is described as being drunk off last night's whisky and coke, indicating their longing for the person and their state of emotional vulnerability. The line "She'll make me shiver without warning and make me laugh as if I'm in on the joke" portrays the person as both unpredictable and captivating, eliciting emotional reactions from the narrator.

The repeated use of "Tell me if I'm wrong, tell me if I'm right" reflects the narrator's desperate need for validation and clarity in their feelings. They seek confirmation from the person on whether they are interpreting their emotions correctly, wanting to know if their love is reciprocated. The line "Tell me how to fall in love the way you want me to" highlights the narrator's willingness to modify their approach to love in order to fulfill the desires of the person they are infatuated with.

The contrast between the narrator's preference for coffee and the person's preference for tea represents their differences and the need for compromise in a relationship. Despite these differences, the narrator still desires for the person to stay with them, emphasizing their longing for their presence.

The bridge of the song shows the narrator's frustration and insecurity, as they question whether their love will ever be enough for the person. They express their desperation for the person to acknowledge their love and need for them.

Overall, "Cold Coffee" delves into the complexities of unrequited love and the yearning for validation and reciprocation. It explores the idea of modifying oneself to fit the desires of someone they love, highlighting the vulnerability and longing that can accompany such emotions.