Budapest Lyrics – George Ezra

Song Facts:

• Genre: Folk pop
• Lyricist: George Ezra
• Composers: George Ezra, Joel Pott

Artist Info:

George Ezra is a British singer-songwriter with a deep, resonant voice and folksy instrumentation who emerged in the early 2010s with the hit single "Budapest," showing off his distinctive vocal style and dapper flair for making tuneful, accessible folk-pop songs. The music he brings combines folk, blues, and pop—all with the sound of nostalgic and modern in unison. Most of Ezra's lyrics include ideas of travel, self-discovery, and love—taking inspiration from his own experiences of backpacking around Europe. Outside of his breakout hits, he's also been known to engage live performances, taking up a charismatic stage presence that cements his current status as the current figurehead of contemporary British music.

Annotations and Meaning:

In the song "Budapest," George Ezra lists down all the possessions of value and achievements he's willing to forsake for the love of his lover. The repeated lists of luxuries, like "the house in Budapest," "golden grand piano," and "hidden treasure chest," could be representative of life's precious and valued facts. However, the repetition found at the very end with "Ooh, I'd leave it all" really repeats the stakes his willingness to make a sacrifice is for the person being addressed. The song unveils the aspect of sacrifice and change. "Give me one good reason why I should never make a change" is asking the listeners in a rhetorical way to be able to reflect on the flexibility and adaptation that is needed within the relationship. This is juxtaposed by friends and family being afraid and misunderstanding, concerning what he has to lose in following his heart.