The Story Behind Ed Sheeran's Hits

Ed Sheeran has built an amazing career fueled by his remarkable ability to churn out hit after hit, whether the songs appear on his albums, or those of his contemporaries. In this article, we're going to look at three of his most popular tunes and stories behind them.

Galway Girl

Galway Girl is one of the most popular songs off his Divide album released in 2017. The video shows Sheeran skipping through the Irish city of Galway, with equally famous actress Saoirse Ronan.

With an Irish influence, from the music video to the lyrics and tune, it's no wonder the song became so popular. It seems many shows reference Irish culture due to its global popularity, especially across the Atlantic in the US. The Simpsons, Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The US Office consistently referenced parts of the culture, while the UK show Derry Girls was set in the north of Ireland and proved a global hit. We can even see the same in the iGaming sector, where companies offering the best bingo app on the market give gamers the chance to play themed games like Leprechaun's Luck Cash Collect. These Irish-influenced games offer gamers the chance to play slot games that mix the traditional features with pots of gold and rainbows, features synonymous with Irish folklore.

Sheeran collaborated with Irish musicians Niamh Dunne and Beoga on this release and emphasizes the spirit of Irish music. Sheeran tells the story that his record company didn't want to release it as a single, but due to its unique story of a night spent in an Irish pub, they were proven wrong, and it went on to be a global success.

Thinking Out Loud

Easily one of Sheeran's most well-known songs, Thinking Out Loud, shows the songwriter at his best, combining timeless lyrics with a beautiful melody. Inspired by his girlfriend at the time, Athina Andrelos, the song has become a wedding favorite since, a ringing endorsement for how the lyrics describe long-lasting love. The song was written in under half an hour, but it's fair to say it has become the most important song of his career and catapulted Sheeran to superstardom, winning a Grammy in the meantime.

Castle on the Hill

Another tune on his Divide album, Castle on the Hill, is a nod to Sheeran's early life and the friends and mistakes he made during that time. It has a beautiful nostalgic feel to it that resonates with many listeners looking back on their childhood or teenage years. It represents coming of age for the singer and is a remarkable tale—something that seems so different to the singer's current life. It doesn't conform in style to many of his songs with its uptempo beat but became a hit nonetheless.

Sheeran has a brilliant ability to write deeply personal music that can resonate with a wide range of listeners. His music is honest, and no matter the song, whether balled or more upbeat, he manages to create music that is loved on a global level.