The Return of Ed Sheeran

By Kyra Thompson

Billboard

      Ed Sheeran released his new album Divide on March 3, 2017. The album is currently Top 10 according to iTunes, and his single “Shape of You,” which was released on January 6, was an immediate hit. The song has been on the top 40 since January 21, and his most recent single, “Castle on the Hill,” continues to climb the charts.

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          Ed Christopher Sheeran was born on February 17, 1991, in Halifax, England, and he was raised in Framingham. His love for music came at a young age—specifically his love for the guitar.
Sheeran self-released an album with four songs in 2005 at the young age of 14. The album was titled The Orange Room EP. When he recorded the album, he was only 13 years old.
The next EP he released, in 2006, was named after himself. Then, in 2007, came Want Some? In 2009, he released yet another EP named You Need Me. To self-promote himself in 2009, Sheeran played at more than 300 gigs.
       In 2010, he made his next big step in his career after posting a video online of himself singing, which attracted the attention of Example, a rapper. Example invited Sheeran to go on tour with him, and the two are still friends. Soon after moving to the U.S., Sheeran began working with bigger names such as Taylor Swift and One Direction. Sheeran and Swift performed and co-wrote the song “Everything has Changed,” which appeared on Swift’s album Red, released in 2013. The song received the Radio Disney Music Award for “Best Musical Collaboration.”
            The most popular songs on Sheeran’s newest album, Divide, are, of course, “Castle on the Hill,” as well as “Shape of You.” Both songs were released in 2016. Not quite as popular (yet), but just as great, are the songs “Galway Girl” and “Perfect.” The catchy lyrics and unique beat of “Galway Girl” will make it an instant hit, and “Perfect” is another relatable song that will be sure to hit the radio soon.
Sheeran’s newest songs on Divide only serve to prove that his talent and musical charisma aren’t going anywhere. ​