3 Songs for People Who Say They Don’t Like Ed Sheeran

In 2011, it seemed like Ed Sheeran was everywhere. That’s when the British-born songwriter and performer released his first single “The A Team.” Ever since then, the floppy-haired redhead with the goofy grin has been a part of global culture, garnering billions of song streams and myriad awards with his catchy, ubiquitous pop songs.

But just because a guy’s music is everywhere doesn’t mean he has a 100% approval rating. Indeed, there are many who wonder how Sheeran got to be the central figure he has become in music. And for those, we wanted to explore a trio of Sheeran tracks that are worthy of any ear. Here below are three songs for people who say they don’t like Ed Sheeran.

[RELATED: Ed Sheeran’s Parents in Awe Over Son’s “Extraordinary” Gift While in Paris]

“Perfect” from ÷ (2017)

This No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 was the love song of 2017. On it, Ed Sheeran’s voice soars over a minimal electric guitar. He sings about finding the one true love, the two connecting, dancing together. It began when they were young and has continued as they’ve grown together. It’s hard to imagine just how many weddings this song has played at over the past eight years, but if its hundreds of millions of streams on YouTube alone are any indication, it’s a lot. And on the heartfelt song, Sheeran sings with passion,

Baby, I’m dancing in the dark
With you between my arms
Barefoot on the grass
Listening to our favourite song
When you said you looked a mess
I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it
Darling, you look perfect tonight

“Shape of You” from ÷ (2017)

Speaking of song streams, this track has garnered over 6 billion of them on YouTube, making it one of the most popular songs on the platform of all time. It also hit No. 1 in 34 countries, including the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The video, directed by longtime Macklemore collaborator Jason Koenig, shows Sheeran falling in love with his boxing partner. And the song itself is an ode to the female form. Sheeran has a knack of saying just enough to hook a listener but not too much to turn them away. And on the rhythmic pop hit, Sheeran sings,

The club isn’t the best place to find a lover
So the bar is where I go
Me and my friends at the table doing shots
Drinking fast and then we talk slow
Come over and start up a conversation with just me
And trust me I’ll give it a chance now
Take my hand, stop, put Van the Man on the jukebox
And then we start to dance, and now I’m singing like

Girl, you know I want your love
Your love was handmade for somebody like me
Come on now, follow my lead
I may be crazy, don’t mind me
Say, boy, let’s not talk too much
Grab on my waist and put that body on me
Come on now, follow my lead
Come, come on now, follow my lead

“Thinking Out Loud” from × (2014)

This song, which hit No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, is about devotion. It’s about a love that lasts into old age. It’s about the singer musing about his partner and how he feels so lucky and fortunate to be with her. Sometimes you don’t need to go searching for love. Sometimes you can find it in front of you if you look and listen and appreciate the person by your side. This is the message in this easy listening hit from the singer. And on it, Sheeran offers,

When your legs don’t work like they used to before
And I can’t sweep you off of your feet
Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love
Will your eyes still smile from your cheeks

And darling I will be loving you ’til we’re 70
And baby my heart could still fall as hard at 23
And I’m thinking ’bout how people fall in love in mysterious ways
Maybe just the touch of a hand
Oh me I fall in love with you every single day
And I just wanna tell you I am

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