The students at Central Davidson High School in Lexington, North Carolina were in for a surprise when an unassuming, guitar wielding student stumbled to the mic. Peyton Littleton mustered the courage to enter his high school talent show, and all his practice paid off as he sang his way through Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect.”
His cover was… well, perfect and he walked away with cheers from his peers and solidified a first place finish.
Ed Sheeran is a Grammy winning singer songwriter from Great Britain. He has consistently created some of the greatest hits of the last decade.
“I need to do it 100% me, so everyone will listen to that will be like, “Ah! He can actually do it!” Sheeran said.
According to Billboard.com, Sheeran’s song “Perfect,” reached number one on the pop charts and stayed on the charts for 57 weeks. Everyone in the crowded gymnasium seems to know this hit, as they sing along to the song.
“Perfect” is currently number 91 on the all-time Billboard US Hot 100 list.
It isn’t easy to perform a song in such a brilliant fashion, but to do it in front of your whole school, takes a different skill set.
“This is harder than going on the Voice or any other show. This kid has to see his peers everyday.”
Peyton leaves his ego behind and nails it to deliver this memorable performance.
“Perfect” is such a crowd pleasing hit. Ed Sheeran knows what it takes to record a hit and become a pop sensation. In a New York Times interview, Sheeran’s long time producer Benny Blanco explains what it takes to produce a hit song.
“I couldn’t sit down and play a concert for you or really wow you on any instrument,” Mr. Blanco said. “What I can do is meet an artist, know what type of song I think we should make and be their therapist, make everyone feel comfortable.”
If you’re looking for a song to cover with acoustic guitar, “Perfect” is ideal. Peyton breaks the song down to it’s essence, guitar strings and a velvet voice. The unassuming young performer works the guitar miraculously and his voice travels the melodies with finesse, and charm.
Ed Sheeran’s voice has been called breezy, and Peyton channels his own vocal chords to place a smiles on faces all across the gymnasium.
At one point the crowd shows gratitude by waving their cell phone flashlights. The beautiful array of lights envelop Peyton in a halo that gives the impression of a stage show production.
Historically, butane lighters were used at concerts during slow ballads, but as noted in a Los Angeles Times article,
“Now, the ubiquitous glowing gadgets have all but replaced cigarette lighters to set the mood at concerts.”
Whether you know the song and can sing along or you just love to see an unsuspecting talent rise to the occasion, click the video below, sit back and be prepared to smile.
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