In a recent interview with GQ, Ed Sheeran, the renowned British singer-songwriter, opened up about the key factors that set him apart from his contemporaries in the music industry. The 32-year-old artist attributed his remarkable career success to his choice of songwriting themes.
“I think everyone loves love, and everyone feels low, and I feel like those are the two subjects that I’ve written most about,” Sheeran commented during the interview. “I think that any song that people connect with has to feel uncomfortable while you’re writing it.”
Sheeran cited his 2017 romantic ballad, “Perfect,” as an example of this creative discomfort. The heartfelt song, a tribute to his now-wife Cherry Seaborn, initially left him questioning its level of cheesiness. “When I was writing Perfect, I thought, ‘This is really cheesy, Cherry is gonna think that I’m like the cheesiest f**king boyfriend,’” he humorously recalled. This candid insight into his creative process showcases Sheeran’s willingness to explore the depth of his emotions, even if it initially feels outside his comfort zone.
However, Sheeran’s songwriting prowess isn’t solely limited to love and romance. He contrasted the creation of “Perfect” with his track “Salt Water,” which delves into the difficult topic of imagining one’s suicide. The artist confessed, “When I was writing Salt Water, I was like, ‘F**k, I don’t want to put this out and have my parents listen to this.’”
Ed Sheeran’s bold and emotionally charged songwriting has resonated with audiences worldwide, earning him a dedicated fan base. His recent album, “Autumn Variations,” released on September 29, marks his second album of the year, following the earlier release of “Subtract” in May. The latter album includes the aforementioned track “Salt Water,” further highlighting his willingness to tackle complex and thought-provoking subjects.
Ed Sheeran’s ability to connect with listeners through his candid and emotionally charged music is undoubtedly a driving force behind his enduring success in the music industry.
