And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

Ep. 222: Ed Sheeran | Inside The Craft of a Songwriter’s Songwriter

16 snips
Sep 29, 2025
Ed Sheeran, a globally acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-Grammy winner, shares insights about his remarkable journey in music. He discusses how rap battles shaped his songwriting and reveals his emotional connections to songs, emphasizing the importance of writing honestly. Ed talks about his childhood influences, the impact of fatherhood on his craft, and the relentless pursuit of his music career without a backup plan. He also offers advice to aspiring musicians, highlighting the value of embracing failure and the joys of collaboration.
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ANECDOTE

Breakthrough Month In Los Angeles

  • Ed Sheeran moved to LA and met Jamie Foxx, which boosted his confidence and helped him break the UK market.
  • That month in LA convinced him he could succeed back home and changed how he approached his career.
INSIGHT

Two Paths Of Songwriting

  • Ed treats songwriting as two forks: lyrical, wordy songs and melody-first songs where melody is king.
  • He balances albums by mixing deep lyrical tracks with melody-led pop to create full records.
INSIGHT

Art As Outlet And Purpose

  • Painting became a purposeful creative outlet and fundraising tool for Ed.
  • Selling art to fund his music foundation let him face criticism while supporting underprivileged kids.
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