Why 'Shape of You' is So Popular?

Maybe it is quite late, but it is still worth to think about it.

I am quite confused, that no one seems to criticize this song. The lyrics are in simple English, with obvious hints about sleeping with girls. (I don't know if  'obvious hint' is a legit word since it contradicts with each other, but it is probably the best way to put it)
Almost everyone (a.k.a every teens and adults) understands what this song means and refers to to. But why it is still playing in the radios, while people singing around freely, even in front of kids?

It may be understandable if it is Despacito, where maybe the whole world knows the song but very few know what it means (hint: it's the same issue we are talking here).
But, like I said, the lyrics are in totally simple English. I also believe people who enjoy this song can understand English, like you now, reading this post in simple English.

We all know there are a lot of people who are against sexualization in every form. But when this song came out, it seems that we do not hear anything from them. It is like they are silently enjoying it.

Here's what I think why. Bear in mind that this is only an opinion of mine.

1. Catchy beat.
Do you think I write this post because I am like, totally hating this song?
Not gonna lie, I do love the beat. It's simple but catchy.
And once the melody is good, we seem to not care at all what the lyrics are actually saying.

2. Liking the original.
This is why we are attached to the song and the lyrics as well, eventhough we know we shouldn't be. At least to the lyrics.
Once you hear the song, you will like it as a whole. So when people play even a slightly different version of it (parody, changed lyrics, changed instrumental), our brains would also slightly reject it and prefer to stick to the original one.

So eventhough you know the lyrics are bad, but since it feels so good and matched with the song, you refuse to let other types of modifications into your brain.
Of course, this varies between people. But surely most of us will relate.

3. The lyrics itself, is not really sexualizing women.
Okay, hold on. I know, if you try to say the lyrics in a casual conversation, it is most probably you will get a slap in your face. But bear with me.
The lyrics say nothing about women's bodies, or how should they be, or the ideal types of bodies, or etc You know, cliche things what people who are against sexualization would argue.

Instead the lyrics convey about feelings.
How does it feel to see a pretty girl at a bar.
How does it feel to dance with her.
How does it feel to go on a date with her.
How does it feel to wake up in the morning, knowing the night before you had spent with her.

These feelings are relatable enough to Westerners who are living this lifestyle. But it also clicks even to the Easterners who may not have the lifestyle, but still can relate and feel it.

So these are the three reasons why I think Shape of You is so popular, with minimal criticism.
Allow me to respond to them.

1. It is understandable, but still...
No one dislikes good music. Music is rhythm. Rhythm is what we live by everyday. So a good rhythm will lead to euphoria. It is biological and psychological.
But still we need to acknowledge that this song, specifically the lyrics, are referring to bad things.
The melody is likable, but not the lyrics.
You can think in this separate way, but your actions must be done collectively (a.k.a still you need to stop listening to it)

2. Your brains 'feels' that it matched only because you are familiar with that.
This is a basic survival mechanism of your brain, which is to stay away from something unfamiliar. Again, this is also biological and psychological.
So if you think "This cover is not the same as the original, I don't like it,"
it is just your brain telling you to stay away from the unfamiliar and stick with the usual ones.
It is okay, but again I am telling you, still you need to stop listening to it.
Why?

3. Depends on how you define sexualization.
If sexualization is only about objectifying women, then this song is not about it.
If sexualization is about making people thinking about sex without no intellectual outcome or productive and positive output, and also driving and luring people into searching more and more pleasure in sex, then you know what to do now.

Now, why I keep telling you to stop listening to this song, eventhough it is entirely your choice to do so, which I feel like you won't?

Because I believe that whatever we say, consciously or unconsciously, whether we understand it or not, will be implanted in our minds.
Words have great powers to our minds. It can align the way we think.

This is why we need to stop listening to Shape of You, and even Despacito, eventhough we feel nothing.
This is why we need to stop cursing, eventhough you think daily usage will make you feel used to it, thus feeling less bad.
This is why we need to stop badmouthing other people, although you think it's chill cause you know the other person would do the same.

This is why we need to stop saying bad things, although we mean good.
It can change our minds and change the way we see things.

Remember, bad guys never wanted to be bad in the first place.