In just over a decade since the release of his debut album + (Plus), Ed Sheeran has risen to become one of the world’s biggest pop stars, winning four Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Best Pop. Solo performance for “Thinking Out Loud” in 2016 and Best Pop Solo Performance for “Shape of You” and Best Pop Vocal Album for ÷(Divide) in 2018, writing songs as a solo artist and in collaboration with dozens of artists.
Not only did Sheeran write several hits for himself, but he collaborated and co-wrote songs for the likes of Justin Bieber, James Blunt, The Weeknd, Rita Ora, and Shawn Mendes, as well as several songs for One Direction, including the group’s second No. 1 hit, 2012’s “Little Things,” two songs by her friend Taylor Swift, and even a track from BTS’s sixth EP, Map of the Soul: Persona.
‘The A Team’
Another standout song from +, his debut album, is “The A Team”. It was his first lead single and helped him rise to fame. He got the inspiration for the song after visiting a homeless shelter. Although some people wondered why his first single was about a drug-addicted prostitute, it makes sense.
Right when this song came on the air, people were beginning to understand the drug epidemic better.
The song and video touched a lot of people, pushing this song up the charts and winning several awards.
A timeline of Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran
Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran have been friendship targets since teaming up for Red in 2012.
The A Team
While on tour with Example, Ed found time to release his fourth album “Loose Change” which included the lead single “The A Team”.
The A-Team was slow – playing on radio stations across the UK and gradually gaining steam. But in April 2011, Ed was asked to perform the song on Later with Jools Holland and from there, he pretty much enjoyed overnight success! The following week the single sold around 58,000 copies, and from there Ed became more and more successful!
Not being boring was a good thing!
As Ed said in that speech, if you try too hard to be the coolest guy in class, you end up being boring. But if you accept yourself with all your flaws and imperfections, you will move on and everything will be fine.
Ed was right about one thing: music was his thing. He knew he wouldn’t be accepted as a star right away, but he was willing to work for it. In 2008, he packed some clothes, took his guitar and moved to London to make his music.