--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Paper or razor blade, never give up And…" description: "\"Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that thought You'd find me buski..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg" --- # Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just… ![“Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that thought You'd find me buskin' on the street When it was cold outdoors And now I'm sweating on the stage With the sold out tours Writing love songs for the sake of it Never to…” quote by Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg) > “Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that thought You'd find me buskin' on the street When it was cold outdoors And now I'm sweating on the stage With the sold out tours Writing love songs for the sake of it Never to make a hit” [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A reflection on perseverance and transformation from struggle to artistic success, emphasizing dedication beyond commercial goals. **In simple terms:** From hardship to stage triumph. Key Takeaway Hard work fuels authentic art. Themes perseverance transformation authenticity artistic journey success dedication Mood determined reflective hopeful Type lyric personal anecdote When to use this quote - overcoming early obstacles - building a music career - performing live - writing for passion - dealing with fame Key Concepts creative process career evolution personal growth performance Practical Applications - motivation for artists - lesson on staying true to craft Questions to Reflect On - What drives you when faced with setbacks? - How do you balance artistic integrity with commercial pressure? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cold/) [Couple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/couple/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving-up/) [Love songs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-songs/) [Never giving up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/never-giving-up/) [Sold out](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sold-out/) [Song](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/song/) [Stage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stage/) [Streets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streets/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [I've always been into writing love songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammy-hagar/i-ve-always-been-into-writing-love-songs/) [Sammy Hagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammy-hagar/) > [ We never fit in completely to \[the punk\] scene because we were writing love songs that were heartfelt and endearing. Some of the punks… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-joe-armstrong/we-never-fit-in-completely-to-the-punk-scene-because-we-were-writing/) [Billie Joe Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-joe-armstrong/) > [“It's too cold outside for angels to flyy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/it-s-too-cold-outside-for-angels-to-flyy/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I came to this world with nothing, and will leave with nothing but love. Everything else is just borrowed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-came-to-this-world-with-nothing-and-will-leave-with-nothing-but/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“Another day another life Passes by just like mine It's not complicated Another mind Another soul Another body to grow old It's not complicated”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/another-day-another-life-passes-by-just-like-mine-it-s-not/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“You’re not her Though I try to see you differently I tow the line You see, I’m searching for what used to be mine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/you-re-not-her-though-i-try-to-see-you-differently-i-tow-the-line-you/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I cant tell you the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-cant-tell-you-the-key-to-success-but-the-key-to-failure-is-trying/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“Tell her that she turns my cheeks the color of my hair”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/tell-her-that-she-turns-my-cheeks-the-color-of-my-hair/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“She's like cold coffee in the morning I'm drunk off last nights whisky and coke She'll make me shiver without warning And make me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/she-s-like-cold-coffee-in-the-morning-i-m-drunk-off-last-nights/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“And of all these things I’m sure of I’m not quite certain Of your love And you made me scream But then I made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/and-of-all-these-things-i-m-sure-of-i-m-not-quite-certain-of-your/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [You and I are two of a mind.This love's one of a kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/you-and-i-are-two-of-a-mind-this-love-s-one-of-a-kind/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Settle down with me and I'll be your safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/settle-down-with-me-and-i-ll-be-your-safety/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“It's ok to be not ok.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/it-s-ok-to-be-not-ok/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Out of all these things I've done I will love you better now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/out-of-all-these-things-i-ve-done-i-will-love-you-better-now/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [And you can stay with me forever, or you could stay with me for now, and tell me if Im wrong, and tell me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/and-you-can-stay-with-me-forever-or-you-could-stay-with-me-for-now/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) ## More by Ed Sheeran > [I'd like to say that I'm a rock star, but I'm not - I'm honestly more of a relationship kind of guy. I'm a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-d-like-to-say-that-i-m-a-rock-star-but-i-m-not-i-m-honestly-more-of/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I'm out of sight, I'm out of mind. I'll do it all for you in time. And out of all these things I've done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-m-out-of-sight-i-m-out-of-mind-i-ll-do-it-all-for-you-in-time-and/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“ You're wasting your time Giving me that speech you try to don't reach: your smile <3 You're holding your tears Your insides are dead You're eating your fears, In a cigarette. You've waited too long, to finally see... Sunshine in the rain is as deep as the sea. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/you-re-wasting-your-time-giving-me-that-speech-you-try-to-don-t-reach/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Everyone still thinks I'm Scottish - that's totally wicked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/everyone-still-thinks-i-m-scottish-that-s-totally-wicked/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Well you only need the light when it's burning low Only miss the sun when it starts to snow Only know you love her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/well-you-only-need-the-light-when-it-s-burning-low-only-miss-the-sun/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I don't think that there's much that sets me apart from other musicians, but I think there are definitely things that set me apart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-don-t-think-that-there-s-much-that-sets-me-apart-from-other/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [And darling I will be loving you 'til we're 70 And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23 And I'm thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/and-darling-i-will-be-loving-you-til-we-re-70-and-baby-my-heart-could/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I've never dated anyone in Hollywood - or anyone famous, for that matter. I don't know that I'm ever gonna write a song that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-ve-never-dated-anyone-in-hollywood-or-anyone-famous-for-that-matter/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Emil Nava brother is Jake Nava, who did Beyonce's Crazy In Love and stuff. He's always lived in his brother's shadow, and this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/emil-nava-brother-is-jake-nava-who-did-beyonce-s-crazy-in-love-and/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [Everyone knows almost everything about me. I make it very clear that I'm cool with people knowing all my personal life through my songs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/everyone-knows-almost-everything-about-me-i-make-it-very-clear-that-i/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I think YouTube has destroyed the genre barrier. People can be into Justin Bieber and Eminem at the same time. It's a good thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-think-youtube-has-destroyed-the-genre-barrier-people-can-be-into/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [We keep this love in a photograph We made these memories for ourselves Where our eyes are never closing Hearts are never broken And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/we-keep-this-love-in-a-photograph-we-made-these-memories-for/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [“It's too cold outside for angels to flyy”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/it-s-too-cold-outside-for-angels-to-flyy/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [If I was gonna go somewhere, I'd be there by now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/if-i-was-gonna-go-somewhere-i-d-be-there-by-now/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) > [I think the music I've created is quite odd, and people are going to start talking about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/i-think-the-music-i-ve-created-is-quite-odd-and-people-are-going-to/) [Ed Sheeran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) [Explore all 181 Ed Sheeran quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/) ## More Blades quotes > [A lie always needs a truth for a handle to it. The worst lies are those whose blade is false, but whose handle is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/a-lie-always-needs-a-truth-for-a-handle-to-it-the-worst-lies-are/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The Kabbalah describes angels as bundles of light, meaning intelligence, consciousness. Kabbalists believe that above every blade of grass is an angel crying "Grow!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-pressfield/the-kabbalah-describes-angels-as-bundles-of-light-meaning/) [Steven Pressfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-pressfield/) > [Our past is the forge upon which we are hardened and tempered, to prepare us for the present. We are like a fine blade…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-atchley-jr/our-past-is-the-forge-upon-which-we-are-hardened-and-tempered-to/) Larry Atchley Jr > [When a buddha is painted, not only a clay altar or lump of earth is used, but the thirty-two marks, a blade of grass,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dogen/when-a-buddha-is-painted-not-only-a-clay-altar-or-lump-of-earth-is/) [Dogen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dogen/) > [I felt freed to please myself, to find my way as I would, in a world that was much vaster than I had realized…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margo-lanagan/i-felt-freed-to-please-myself-to-find-my-way-as-i-would-in-a-world/) [Margo Lanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margo-lanagan/) > [I would like to see a fierce Fantasia mixed with Blade Runner, Lord of the Rings, and Star Wars all in one. That's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-rodriguez/i-would-like-to-see-a-fierce-fantasia-mixed-with-blade-runner-lord-of/) [Michelle Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-rodriguez/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Heavy role in the movies that I've done that I have loved and fit my soul; A Simple Plan, Monster's Ball, Sling Blade, One…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-bob-thornton/heavy-role-in-the-movies-that-i-ve-done-that-i-have-loved-and-fit-my/) [Billy Bob Thornton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-bob-thornton/) > [Staring at her face, she began to fancy her outer layer had begun to melt away while she wasn't paying attention, and something --…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laini-taylor/staring-at-her-face-she-began-to-fancy-her-outer-layer-had-begun-to/) [Laini Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laini-taylor/) > [You need flawless balance on the recovery. You need white hot focus and the concentration to row square blades cleanly for seven miles. Smooth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-alan-lewis/you-need-flawless-balance-on-the-recovery-you-need-white-hot-focus/) [Brad Alan Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-alan-lewis/) > [If you look at 'Blade Runner,' it's been cut sixteen ways from Sunday, and there are all kinds of different versions of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-lucas/if-you-look-at-blade-runner-it-s-been-cut-sixteen-ways-from-sunday/) [George Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-lucas/) > [Here's an example: someone says, "Master, please hand me the knife," and he hands them the knife, blade first. "Please give me the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/here-s-an-example-someone-says-master-please-hand-me-the-knife-and-he/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [It's ninety-six degrees in the shade... Before I catch blood on my blade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-murray/it-s-ninety-six-degrees-in-the-shade-before-i-catch-blood-on-my-blade/) [Keith Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-murray/) > ["Lay the knife at the tips of your fingers," Rob commanded. "So close youcan feel the blade against your skins. Then cut the shadow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/lay-the-knife-at-the-tips-of-your-fingers-rob-commanded-so-close/) [Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/) > [Better stop short than fill to the brim. Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt. Amass a store of gold and jade,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/better-stop-short-than-fill-to-the-brim-oversharpen-the-blade-and-the/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) Browse all 490 Blades quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't just control that thought You'd find me buskin' on the street When it was cold outdoors And now I'm sweating on the stage With the sold out tours Writing love songs for the sake of it Never to make a hit", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ed Sheeran" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Blades" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a68/ed-sheeran-2162_blades_paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-j_45049.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Paper or razor blade, never give up And just remember just to hold out more A couple years ago I couldn't…” — Ed Sheeran", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ed Sheeran", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-sheeran/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Paper or razor blade, never give...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-sheeran/paper-or-razor-blade-never-give-up-and-just-remember-just-to-hold-out/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```