Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran's friendship through the years
Taylor says Ed is like a second brother
Last updated 13th Dec 2024
Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran are both smashing it as solo artists – and they’re often turning up to support each other on tour. The pair, who became close after first collaborating more than a decade ago, have reportedly said they spend hours chatting about anything and everything. These two couldn't be cuter, with Ed saying Taylor "genuinely gets it".
Introducing Ed as he joined her on stage during the 'Eras Tour', Taylor described the 'Thinking Out Loud' singer as one of her 'best friends in the world'. They've joined forces loads over the years, to record hits 'End Game', 'Run', 'Joker and The Queen' and 'Everything Has Changed' - as well as numerous joint performances on stage. Following on from the 'Eras Tour', we've taken a look at some of the best moments of Taylor and Ed's friendship so far:
How did they meet?
The ‘Sweeran’ friendship first sparked after Taylor went on stage in 2012 during a show in Australia with the lyrics to Ed’s iconic song ‘Lego House’ written on her arm – prompting Ed to reach out to the rising star. They soon collaborated on the first of many songs together, ‘Everything Has Changed’, becoming life-long besties.
Ed is reported to have been surprised to learn how sweet she was, calling her ‘the loveliest person he’s ever met’.
Which songs have they worked on together?
The solo singers have collaborated on a number of hits over the years, starting with ‘Everything Has Changed’ in 2012, from Taylor’s fourth studio album ‘Red’. The very sweet video has hit more than 400 million views on YouTube (at the time of writing), with the song reaching seventh in the UK chart.
WATCH: Taylor Swift: Everything Has Changed, ft Ed Sheeran
The pair later recorded 'End Game' in 2017, 'Run' in 2021 and 'The Joker and The Queen' in 2022 – with the latter reaching second place in the UK chart.
Take a look at Ed and Taylor's friendship so far:
2012: The beginning of the Sweeran friendship
The friendship between Ed and Taylor was first sparked after Taylor went on stage in 2012 with the lyrics to Ed's iconic song 'Lego House' written on her arm – prompting Ed to reach out to the rising star.
In an interview with SBTV, Ed said: "When I first met her I expected her to be one of these artists that is kind of allowed to have a douchebag pass, but she was just like the loveliest person that I've met."
August 2013: Taylor sends Ed a jar of home-made jam
One of the most wholesome moments in the 'Sweeran' friendship was in 2013 when Taylor made Ed some jam! She labelled the jar with a little note, saying: 'I'm really proud of you and I'm going to let you finish, but this is the best jam of all time' - a play on the words of Kanye West, who famously interrupted Taylor Swift as she accepted an MTV VMA in 2009 for Best Female Video.
August 2013: The pair party backstage at the VMAs with Harry Styles
Despite making headlines back in 2013 because of a reported rift between Taylor and ex-boyfriend Harry Styles, the two were photographed backstage at the MTV VMAs in 2013 with their mutual friend, Ed Sheeran. It came after Taylor picked up the award for Best Female Video, for 'I Knew You Were Trouble', which was rumoured to be penned about the One Direction singer. Maybe Ed's the perfect peacemaker!
September 2013: Ed surprises Taylor on stage in Nashville, dressed as a clown
Ed famously surprised his pal on stage in Nashville, in 2013, dressed as a clown, during her performance of 'We Are Never Getting Back Together'. Taylor looked delighted and introduced "the imposter" to fans. He'd snuck on stage alongside the dancers.
2014: Ed joins Taylor on her ‘Red Tour’ in Berlin
During Taylor's 'Red' tour in 2014, the pair performed 'I See Fire' at Berlin's O2 stadium. Taylor welcomed Ed on stage after asking the crowd if they'd like a "big surprise". She said he wanted to thank fans after they'd helped to crown him iTunes' biggest-selling artist in the UK and Ireland for 2014.
February 2015: Taylor thanked Ed, who “taught her how to make a good cup of tea”, during Brit Award speech
In 2015, when Taylor won Best International Female Artist at the Brit Awards, she thanked her friend Ed during an iconic speech, saying: "Honestly, I know I wouldn't be up here if it wasn't for one of my best friends, who took me to pubs and taught me how to make a good cup of tea and taught me everything I know about the UK. I just want to say I love you, Ed Sheeran."
It was Taylor's first ever Brit award. And the pair both performed, separately, that night at the event, at London's O2.
2016: Taylor congratulates Ed as he wins GRAMMY’s Song of the Year
Ed's bestie jumped up and down with excitement at the 58th GRAMMY Awards in Los Angeles back in 2016, as Ed scooped Song of the Year for 'Thinking Out Loud', going up against Taylor, herself, with 'Blank Space'.
Taylor said she was shopping in London, when Ed asked her to listen to 'the best song he'd ever written'. In an Instagram post, she said: 'And then, as usual, he pulls out his phone and gives me headphones. I sat there on a bench in that store and heard Thinking Out Loud for the first time, as little kids were picking out tutus and leotards next to us.
'Little did we know it would go on to be first dance song at countless weddings all over the world, become Ed's biggest hit, and eventually go on to win him Song of the Year at the 2016 Grammys.'
November 2017: Taylor releases 'End Game' featuring Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran featured with Taylor Swift on her single 'End Game', alongside rapper Future. The single was the third from the album 'Reputation' – and has hit nearly 300 million views on YouTube to date.
2021: The pair work together on Taylor’s album, ‘Red’
The pair re-recorded 'Run' for Taylor's album, 'Red' in 2021. Upon release, Ed shared the video, telling fans: ''Run' is the first song me and Taylor Swift ever wrote together, and 'Everything Has Changed' was the second. We re-recorded both of them for Red - and they are just great.'
2022: The pair collaborate on Ed’s album, 'Equals'
The dynamic due joined forces again, this time for Ed's album, 'Equals', with hit single 'The Joker and The Queen'. It reached second place in the UK chart in 2022.
2023: Ed likens his “long, long, long conversations” with Taylor to ‘therapy’
In an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music in 2023, Ed revealed he often chats for hours with Taylor, likening it to therapy: "I have long, long, long conversations with Taylor about stuff just because I feel like she's one of the only people that actually truly understands where I'm at".
He said: "I had an hour-20 conversation with her yesterday and we were just — everything that was on our minds we talked about. I mean that in itself is kind of therapy as well, because you're actually talking to someone that genuinely gets it."
August 2024 - Ed’s guest appearance at the Eras Tour
Ed Sheeran delighted fans by joining Taylor Swift on stage on her Eras Tour to sing a medley of songs; including 'Everything Has Changed' from their duet in 2012, 'End Game' from their 2017 collaboration and Ed's Number 1 smash hit 'Thinking Out Loud'.
The pair performed on their guitars, after Taylor welcomed Ed on stage, saying: "This is one of my best friends in the world, to the point where I feel like he's a second brother, and we worked together on the 'Red' tour. Every time I am doing the 'Red' part of this show, I think about the memories that we made.
"He works so hard - and he's on tour right now - and he's probably so tired but he wanted to come and play for you and do this for all of us, so give it up again for Ed Sheeran."
Other guest appearances
Fans have been lucky enough to see their chemistry on stage at a number of events, including for a rendition of ‘Everything Has Changed’ at Madison Square Garden in New York, back in 2013. And during Taylor’s ‘Red’ tour in 2014 – when the pair performed ‘I See Fire’ in Berlin.
And who could forget the iconic moment Ed famously surprised his pal on stage in Nashville, in 2013, dressed as a clown, during her performance of ‘We Are Never Getting Back Together’. Taylor looked delighted and introduced “the imposter” to fans.
Are they rumoured to collaborate again?
No current plans have been announced for future collaborations, but we're hoping the pair reunite - as we just can't get enough of these two together!
Now read:
Taylor Swift meets with families affected by Southport attack
Everything you need to know about 'Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour'
Taylor Swift welcomes Ed Sheeran on stage as her 'Eras' tour returns to Wembley