With his fifth solo album - (Subtract) slated for release in May, we’re taking a look back at the 10 Best Ed Sheeran tracks. In the past decade, Sheeran has become one of the biggest recording artists of the era, a singer-songwriter at heart but one who has won over legions of fans across the globe because of his pop sensibility.
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While not his biggest or loudest hit, this soft romantic track has managed to stand the test of time and remains one of his underrated gems.
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“Sing” was a wake-up call to the world that Sheeran was more than just an indie folk singer (with some rapping skills). Collaborating with Pharrell Williams was a genius move to make himself look and feel more “pop.”
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The best example of Sheeran’s meteoric rise has inevitably got to be the “No Scrubs”-sampled megahit “Shape of You.” Part of Sheeran’s success has been his ability to look cool by just being himself.
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Written about Sheeran’s long-distance relationship with singer Nina Nesbitt, the song has universal appeal and it is his ability to emote what we all feel when going through similar moments that have made Sheeran the powerhouse that he’s become.
Photo: Eva Rinaldi from Sydney, Australia/CC BY-SA 2.0
Here, Sheeran is in his wheelhouse but with a more modern approach, a groove that’s there from start to finish and a hook and chorus made more enjoyable by the inclusion of brass instrumentation. This is how you evolve as an artist.
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The song narrates the story of Sheeran’s life as a young lad in his homeland. There’s a bit of the first album version of Sheeran here lyrically but with an updated musicality, thus making for a more perfect coming together of the old Sheeran and the Top 40 juggernaut.
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While none of us knew we needed Irish rap in our lives – the artist offers us that and more in this extremely catchy and deeply personal song.
Photo: Eva Rinaldi from Sydney, Australia/CC BY-SA 2.0
Rarely in modern times do we have a song that so seamlessly fits into any slow dance playlist. A romantic ballad sung endearingly – this is again where who Sheeran is matters.
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The song pays tribute to Australian music executive, Michael Gudinski who died in 2021. Sheeran actually debuted the single at his funeral. A truly heartfelt and emotive single that perfectly showcases Sheeran’s growth as an artist over the years.
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This was the world’s first real introduction to Ed Sheeran back in 2011. It holds up really well 10 years later because of its lyrical content, the still hummable melody but most importantly because we know just how far Sheeran has come.