Did you know that Ed Sheeran has secretly penned hits for other artists? That’s right – as well as all his own chart-topping songs, the master of melodies has been writing for other musicians too. Let’s take a moment for his genius songwriting skills and uncover the hidden gems under his hat.
1. Justin Bieber – Love Yourself
Justin Bieber’s Love Yourself skyrocketed to the top of the charts when it was first released back in 2015. The song – written by Ed Sheeran, Benny Blanco and Justin – did so well that it became Justin’s third consecutive number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100! Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber have since also teamed up to create “I Don’t Care”.
Fun fact: Ed Sheeran originally wrote the song for himself, but after hearing Justin’s smooth tones, he knew he was the perfect fit.
2. Jessie Ware – Say You Love Me
Jessie Ware’s Say You Love Me was originally released back in 2014 – but did you know that the catchy song was actually co-written with the one and only Ed Sheeran? He sure knows how to write a tune; the track reached the top 20 in the UK charts.
Fun fact: Jessie Ware used to be a journalist before diving into the music world!
3. Liam Payne ft. Quavo – Strip That Down
Released in 2017, this track brought the party to the dance floor! Liam co-wrote the song with Ed and the talented Steve Mac (who has worked with everyone from Lewis Capaldi to Mabel). It reached the top 10 in several countries and gave Liam his first taste of solo success after his One Direction days.
4. Hilary Duff – Tattoo
Picture this, it’s 2015 and our favourite pop princess Hilary Duff is back with a bang! The actor and artist unleashed her musical prowess with the help of Sheeran’s hit expertise. Tattoo not only showcased Hilary’s growth as a singer but also left her fans utterly captivated after an eight-year wait.
5. One Direction – Little Things
This ballad melted the hearts of millions of One D fans worldwide – but interestingly, the song was actually written by Ed Sheeran and (his friend) Fiona Bevan, a few years earlier.
Fun fact: Ed Sheeran co-wrote the song when he was just 17 and claims it features some of his favourite-ever lyrics.
6. BTS – Make It Right
This infectious track captured the hearts of fans worldwide and featured on BTS’ album, Map of the Soul: 7. Before the release, Suga posted the song on Twitter and tagged Ed Sheeran, which got their fans very excited for the music. Co-written by the hit-maker, this track showcases the BTS signature sound perfectly.
