Ed Sheeran has shattered records in the music industry and garnered numerous awards since launching his career in 2011. The talented singer-songwriter from Halifax is celebrated for his exceptional songwriting ability, infectious melodies, and a remarkable discography that has attracted a vast fanbase over the years.
At 33 years old, Sheeran has topped sales charts with blockbuster hits like “Shape of You”and “Perfect,”among others. His knack for crafting poignant, relatable lyrics paired with captivating melodies has consistently landed his songs in the top ten of music charts. He has earned the prestigious titles of the world’s best-selling artist and Global Recording Artist of the Year in 2017.
Sheeran has sold over 150 million records globally and holds 101 million RIAA-certified album units in the United States. This article delves into Ed Sheeran’s most popular songs to date.
Disclaimer: This article ranks songs based on Spotify streams at the time of writing.
1) Shape of You (4,021,311,531 Spotify streams)
Featuring a blend of dancehall and R&B, “Shape of You”was released on January 6, 2017, as one of the lead singles from Sheeran’s third album, Divide.
Shortly after its debut, the song dominated the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 non-consecutive weeks and became the first track ever to reach 2 billion streams on Spotify.
“Shape of You”delves into themes of romantic attraction, intimacy, and spontaneity, as highlighted in the pre-chorus:
“Girl, you know I want your love / Your love was handmade for somebody like me / Well, come on now, follow my lead / I may be crazy, don’t mind me.”
2) Perfect (3,094,242,376 Spotify streams)
“Perfect”is a romantic ballad reportedly inspired by Sheeran’s relationship with his wife, Cherry Seaborn. Released in March 2017, the song reflects the fulfillment and joy the artist has found with his soulmate.
The first verse captures this sentiment:
“I found a love for me / Oh, darlin’, just dive right in and follow my lead / Well, I found a girl, beautiful and sweet / Oh, I never knew you were the someone waiting for me.”
Featured on the Divide album, “Perfect”has achieved platinum certification thirteen times by RIAA and boasts two notable renditions with Beyoncé and Andrea Bocelli.
3) Photograph (2,625,255,081 Spotify streams)
Co-written by Ed Sheeran, Tom Leonard, Johnny McDaid, and Martin Harrington, “Photograph”was released on May 11, 2015, as the fifth single from Sheeran’s sophomore album, X.
The song conveys themes of love, hope, healing, and self-discovery, as illustrated in the second verse:
“Lovin’ can heal / Lovin’ can mend your soul / And it’s the only thing that I know, know / I swear it will get easier / Remember that with every piece of ya / Mm, and it’s the only thing we take with us when we die.”
“Photograph”reached number ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified quadruple platinum in the UK.
4) Thinking Out Loud (2,574,607,268 Spotify streams)
“Thinking Out Loud,”a single from his Grammy-nominated album X, was released in June 2014.
This blue-eyed soul track encapsulates a love story deeply rooted in themes of unconditional love, nostalgia, certainty, and timelessness. The second verse reflects these sentiments:
“When my hair’s all but gone and my memory fades / And the crowds don’t remember my name / When my hands don’t play the strings the same way, mmm / I know you will still love me the same.”
The song peaked at number 2 on both the US Billboard Hot 100 and Canadian Hot 100 charts, becoming the seventh single to achieve triple platinum status in the UK during the 21st century.
5) I Don’t Care ft Justin Bieber (1,863,144,311 Spotify streams)
Released on May 10, 2019, “I Don’t Care”is a standout collaboration between Ed Sheeran and Canadian artist Justin Bieber. The lead single from Sheeran’s compilation album, Number 6 Collaborations Project, this song highlights the essence of an ideal relationship, providing a refuge for individuals and promoting a feeling of belonging. The chorus states:
“Cause I don’t care when I’m with my baby, yeah / All the bad things disappear / Yeah, you’re making me feel like maybe I am somebody / I can deal with the bad nights when I’m with my baby, yeah.”
“I Don’t Care”marked Ed Sheeran’s fourth number one and Justin Bieber’s sixth on the Billboard Mainstream Top 40 chart.
6) Bad Habits (1,809,436,150 Spotify streams)
“Bad Habits,”the lead single from Sheeran’s fourth studio album, = (Equals), was released on June 25, 2021. This synth-pop track, co-written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, and Fred Gibson, examines the challenging reality of being trapped in a conflicted relationship.
The lyrics depict a guy reflecting on his poor choices while seeking a way to escape the unhealthy cycle he’s in, as conveyed in the chorus:
“My bad habits lead to late nights ending alone / Conversations with a stranger I barely know / Swearin’ this’ll be the last, but it probably won’t / I got nothin’ left to lose, or use, or do.”
7) Shivers (1,643,127,377 Spotify streams)
“Shivers,”a dance-pop anthem from Ed Sheeran, was released in September 2021 as the second single from his 14-track album, Equals.
This RIAA-certified single tells the story of someone swept away by the euphoria of finding their soulmate. The first verse emphasizes the depth of connection and desire between the couple, conveyed through suggestive lyrics:
“I took an arrow to the heart / I never kissed a mouth that tastes like yours / Strawberries and then something more / Ooh, yeah, I want it all / Lipstick on my guitar.”
“Shivers”secured the fourth position on the Billboard Hot 100.
8) Beautiful People ft Khalid (1,421,320,212 Spotify streams)
“Beautiful People,”released on June 28, 2019, is part of Sheeran’s Compilation album, No. 6 Collaborations Project. The track features Khalid, the artist behind “Young Dumb & Broke.”
The song, co-written by Khalid, Ed Sheeran, Max Martin, Shellback, and Fred Gibson, critiques the superficial and complicated lifestyle that comes with fame. The chorus states:
“Beautiful people / Drop top, designer clothes / Front row at fashion shows / ‘What d’you do?’ and ‘Who d’you know?’ / Inside the world of beautiful people / Champagne and rolled-up notes.”
“Beautiful People”has been platinum certified three times by BPI in the UK.
9) Castle On the Hill (1,381,981,598 Spotify streams)
Released on January 6, 2017, “Castle On the Hill”serves as one of the lead singles from Sheeran’s album Divide. The song tells a coming-of-age story, providing insight into Ed Sheeran’s personal experiences from childhood to adulthood. The first verse reads:
“When I was six years old, I broke my leg / I was runnin’ from my brother and his friends / And tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down / I was younger then, take me back to when I.”
“Castle On the Hill”peaked at number two on the UK singles chart.
Additional popular songs by Ed Sheeran to consider for your playlist include “Happier,””Galway Girl,””The A Team,”and “I See Fire.”
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