I Almost Didn't Sing "Shape of You" — Ed Sheeran

...Song titled No. 1 'Most-Streamed Track of the Last Decade'

To mark the achievement, Ed Sheeran met with Apple Music's Zane Lowe to discuss the creation of 'Shape of You' and the song's enduring influence. ROTIMI IGE shares highlights.

Ed Sheeran discusses with Apple Music the creation of "Shape of You" and how he nearly didn't perform it himself...

Do you know what, when I wrote it, it never even occurred to me… I know this sounds strange, but I've written countless songs like that. Obviously, not exactly like this, but around 100 times where you're in the studio and you just think, "Let's create a mood and then just get through it, move on to the next one. At the end of the day, we'll look back at the five or six songs we've done and see if there's something good in there." So, it was the first day I worked with Steve Mac, me and Johnny went in and we just powered through, song after song, song after song. And at the end of the day, we looked back and said, "This one's okay." Then we were working on drums for a track on 'Divide' called "Eraser" that night. So, me and Johnny went to RAK Studios, and I played it [“Shape of You”] to Ben Cook and Ed Howard, who were the head of Asylum Records, who basically had me, Charli xcx, Anne-Marie, and Rudimental on their label. I said to them, "This could easily be a Rudimental song that you could get Rihanna on." And they said, "You're crazy. You should keep this one." And I said, "I don't know."

I'm just hearing it in a drum and bass beat now, I'm just hearing. "Oh ah, oh ah, oh ah, oh ah".

Do you understand what I'm saying? It just seemed like it could have fit in there. And then my album was flawless. "Castle on the Hill," "Happier." It was all within one genre. So, it felt like, as you mentioned, an exception. But I'm really glad I released it. It's only now, looking back, that I wish I had recognized how unique those moments were, because at the time I was just comparing it to everything else, and Kendrick's "DAMN." had come out, and I remember thinking, "That has had way more cultural impact than 'Shape of You.'" And so, I felt... I don't know, I felt strange about it the whole time, but now it's been eight years. I still play that song everywhere around the world. I can go anywhere in the world, even deep in the jungle of Cambodia, and I know that song. It's really reached some crazy places.

Ed Sheeran discusses with Apple Music how 'Shape of You' resonates with listeners around the world...

My point is that I've never considered 'Shape of You' as the song that defines me or the one I'll be known for. Yet it's strange because wherever we go around the world, we perform everywhere. Recently, we went to Bhutan, and that song was a hit there. Me and Cher have visited remote areas in Antarctica, Cambodia, and outback Australia, and that song somehow ends up being played everywhere.

Well, as you have this excellent hook, which I believe transcends trends and crosses language barriers.

But the rhythm too, because originally when I was creating it, I thought, "This is a dancehall rhythm." But then, when I was in India, they said, "Oh no, this is a Punjabi banger rhythm." And then when I was somewhere else, they'd say, "Oh no, this is that." It's a rhythm that... I play 'Shape of You' with Beoga, an Irish traditional band as well. And it really works with Baron too. So, it's just a rhythm that I believe is a universal one, basically.

Ed Sheeran discusses with Apple Music the variety of his musical output...

I believe I've come to understand that a discography or set list requires all these songs. If I were to play only slow ballads for two and a half hours, it would become monotonous. I appreciate where 'Shape of You' is placed in the set. I also like where 'Azizam' is positioned. I enjoy where 'Hearts Don't Break Around' is in the set, as well as 'Afterglow' or 'Castle,' because they create an engaging mix of a performance where you can pull out different tracks based on your mood.

We recently performed in Marseille, and I could immediately tell they were crazy. So, you can add more energetic crazy songs, and it works well.

Ed Sheeran discusses with Apple Music the enduring influence of 'Shape of You'...

No one can take the song away. Just like 'Shape of You' exists, I'll always be able to play it. I will keep on creating music and releasing it. However, I'm thankful for songs like this, which allow you to be anywhere in the world and still bring joy to someone with just a guitar.

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