The tragic inspiration for Ed Sheeran's career-launching song has been revealed
‘We Are’ was written about a close friend
Ed Sheeran
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 7th Nov 2018
A new biography about Ed Sheeran has revealed the moving inspiration behind the song which is credited with getting him a record deal. According to the book, Ed Sheeran's song, 'We Are', which was included on one of his very first self-released EPs, was written after the death of a close school friend.
'We Are' was written about the pop star's friend, Stuart Dines, who died while he was on a school ski trip in Cologne in 2006. Ed was just 14 at the time of his friend's death, and 'We Are' was reportedly played at his funeral.
The book explains, 'Ed had to come to terms with the death of someone he saw practically every day. He resolved to write a song about his feelings. He composed it, he said, "whilst I got round to actually accepting it".'
WATCH: Top 10 facts about Ed Sheeran you probably didn't know:
Stuart's dad was also quoted as saying, "Ed was very, very upset, like a lot of the children."
The 'Shape Of You' singer later credited that song with getting him a record deal, when he was starting out in music. Of course, in the years since then, Ed Sheeran's success has been phenomenal with many Top 10 singles.
Exclusive: Ed Sheeran Performs 'Shape Of You' Live:
Exclusive: Ed Sheeran performs 'Castle On The Hill':
Ed Sheeran has recently announced some UK tour dates following on from his '÷' tour. The singer will be performing homecoming shows in just TWO venues in the UK, Leeds and Ipswich, in August 2019.
See all of Ed Sheeran's UK tour dates below:
AUGUST 2019
Leeds Roundhay Park - Fri 16th
Leeds Roundhay Park - Sat 17th
Ipswich Chantry Park - Fri 23rd
Ipswich Chantry Park - Sat 24th
Ipswich Chantry Park - Sun 25th
Ipswich Chantry Park - Mon 26th
Since returning to music following a year's break in 2016, Ed Sheeran has had phenomenal success starting with his comeback singles, 'Shape Of You' and 'Castle On The Hill' released in January 2017. Then, last year he ended the year with a Christmas Number 1 - a duet with Beyoncé, 'Perfect'.
See which other collabs were released last year:
Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé: 'Perfect'
After delighting fans with his album track 'Perfect', Ed Sheeran decided to give it a little Christmas sprinkle when he teamed up with Beyoncé for a new version of the single.
The tragic inspiration for Ed Sheeran's career-launching song has been revealed
2 of 23
Ed Sheeran and Eminem: ''River'
To end the year off, Ed Sheeran worked with his idol Eminem on the track 'River' which features on the rapper's new album 'Revival'.
Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé: 'Perfect'
After delighting fans with his album track 'Perfect', Ed Sheeran decided to give it a little Christmas sprinkle when he teamed up with Beyoncé for a new version of the single.
Selena Gomez and Marshmello: 'Wolves'
After releasing her amazing track 'Bad Liar', Selena Gomez worked with music producer Marshmello on the hit 'Wolves'.
Little Mix and CNCO: 'Reggaeton Lento'
Little Mix joined forces with Latino band CNCO for their upbeat track 'Reggaeton Lento'. The girls sing Spanish lyrics in the track and they performed it live together for the first time at The X Factor final.
Justin Bieber, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee: 'Despacito'
One of the biggest hits of 2017 came when Justin Bieber lent his vocals to Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi's MASSIVE Spanish single 'Despacito'. We are still singing it now!
Liam Payne and Zedd: 'Get Low'
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne teamed up with German producer Zedd on his second solo single 'Get Low' and it was a massive hit with fans.
Craig David and Bastille: 'I Know You'
In what was perhaps the strangest collaboration of 2017, Craig David teamed up with Bastille and the results were brilliant! Dropping the single 'I Know You', the two music genres worked amazingly.
Rak-Su, Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean: 'Dimelo'
X Factor 2017 winners Rak-Su were fortunate enough to work with Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean on their winning single 'Dimelo'. It's so catchy!
Camila Cabello and Young Thug: 'Havana'
One of the catchiest songs of the year came from former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello. The singer worked with Young Thug on the track 'Havana'.
Calvin Harris, Katy Perry, Big Sean and Pharrell Williams: 'Feels'
2017 was the year of collaborations for Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. He teamed up with Katy Perry, Big Sean and Pharrell Williams on the track 'Feels'.
ZAYN and Sia: 'Dusk Till Dawn'
Former One Direction singer ZAYN worked with Sia to record the single 'Dusk Till Dawn'. The amazing track featured on the movie The Mountain Between Us featuring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba.
Eminem and Beyoncé: 'Walk On Water'
Out of nowhere, rapper Eminem dropped his comeback single 'Walk On Water' featuring Beyoncé.
Louis Tomlinson and Bebe Rexha: 'Back To You'
Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson delighted his fans in 2017 when he teamed up with American singer Bebe Rexha on the track 'Back To You'.
Avicii and Rita Ora: 'Lonely Together'
In a comeback year of music for both of them, Rita Ora and Avicii delivered the amazing single 'Lonely Together'.
Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean and Migos: 'Slide'
In what was another amazing Calvin Harris collab, the 33-year-old worked with Frank Ocean and Migos to drop the summer track 'Feels'.
Sigala and Ella Eyre: 'Came Here For Love'
He's worked with a number of people in the past, but this year DJ Sigala teamed up with Ella Eyre. The 23-year-old showed off her stunning vocals on the track 'Came Here For Love'.
The Weeknd and Daft Punk: 'I Feel It Coming'
The Weeknd and electronic duo Daft Punk teamed up to deliver the amazing track 'I Feel It Coming'.
Clean Bandit and Julia Michaels: 'Miss You'
Clean Bandit love a collaboration! This year they teamed up with American singer songwriter Julia Michaels on the emotional single 'Miss You'.
Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj: 'Swish Swish'
Katy Perry got her friend Nicki Minaj to help her out on the single 'Swish Swish'.
Selena Gomez and Kygo: 'It Ain't Me'
Pop princess Selena Gomez and Norwegian DJ Kygo created 'It Ain't Me' and it was hugely popular with fans of the pair.
Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne: 'Not Letting Go'
British singers Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne made the perfect summer track when they released 'Not Letting Go'.
DJ Khalid and Rihanna: 'Wild Thoughts'
Despite not releasing much solo music in 2017, Rihanna featured on DJ Khalid's single 'Wild Thoughts', and EVERYONE loved it.
Stormzy and MNEK: 'Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2'
After a seriously impressive 2017, Stormzy released his single 'Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2' featuring MNEK towards the end of the year.
Ed Sheeran and Eminem: ''River'
To end the year off, Ed Sheeran worked with his idol Eminem on the track 'River' which features on the rapper's new album 'Revival'.
Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé: 'Perfect'
After delighting fans with his album track 'Perfect', Ed Sheeran decided to give it a little Christmas sprinkle when he teamed up with Beyoncé for a new version of the single.
Selena Gomez and Marshmello: 'Wolves'
After releasing her amazing track 'Bad Liar', Selena Gomez worked with music producer Marshmello on the hit 'Wolves'.
Little Mix and CNCO: 'Reggaeton Lento'
Little Mix joined forces with Latino band CNCO for their upbeat track 'Reggaeton Lento'. The girls sing Spanish lyrics in the track and they performed it live together for the first time at The X Factor final.
Justin Bieber, Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee: 'Despacito'
One of the biggest hits of 2017 came when Justin Bieber lent his vocals to Daddy Yankee and Luis Fonsi's MASSIVE Spanish single 'Despacito'. We are still singing it now!
Liam Payne and Zedd: 'Get Low'
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne teamed up with German producer Zedd on his second solo single 'Get Low' and it was a massive hit with fans.
Craig David and Bastille: 'I Know You'
In what was perhaps the strangest collaboration of 2017, Craig David teamed up with Bastille and the results were brilliant! Dropping the single 'I Know You', the two music genres worked amazingly.
Rak-Su, Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean: 'Dimelo'
X Factor 2017 winners Rak-Su were fortunate enough to work with Naughty Boy and Wyclef Jean on their winning single 'Dimelo'. It's so catchy!
Camila Cabello and Young Thug: 'Havana'
One of the catchiest songs of the year came from former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello. The singer worked with Young Thug on the track 'Havana'.
Calvin Harris, Katy Perry, Big Sean and Pharrell Williams: 'Feels'
2017 was the year of collaborations for Scottish DJ Calvin Harris. He teamed up with Katy Perry, Big Sean and Pharrell Williams on the track 'Feels'.
ZAYN and Sia: 'Dusk Till Dawn'
Former One Direction singer ZAYN worked with Sia to record the single 'Dusk Till Dawn'. The amazing track featured on the movie The Mountain Between Us featuring Kate Winslet and Idris Elba.
Eminem and Beyoncé: 'Walk On Water'
Out of nowhere, rapper Eminem dropped his comeback single 'Walk On Water' featuring Beyoncé.
Louis Tomlinson and Bebe Rexha: 'Back To You'
Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson delighted his fans in 2017 when he teamed up with American singer Bebe Rexha on the track 'Back To You'.
Avicii and Rita Ora: 'Lonely Together'
In a comeback year of music for both of them, Rita Ora and Avicii delivered the amazing single 'Lonely Together'.
Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean and Migos: 'Slide'
In what was another amazing Calvin Harris collab, the 33-year-old worked with Frank Ocean and Migos to drop the summer track 'Feels'.
Sigala and Ella Eyre: 'Came Here For Love'
He's worked with a number of people in the past, but this year DJ Sigala teamed up with Ella Eyre. The 23-year-old showed off her stunning vocals on the track 'Came Here For Love'.
The Weeknd and Daft Punk: 'I Feel It Coming'
The Weeknd and electronic duo Daft Punk teamed up to deliver the amazing track 'I Feel It Coming'.
Clean Bandit and Julia Michaels: 'Miss You'
Clean Bandit love a collaboration! This year they teamed up with American singer songwriter Julia Michaels on the emotional single 'Miss You'.
Katy Perry and Nicki Minaj: 'Swish Swish'
Katy Perry got her friend Nicki Minaj to help her out on the single 'Swish Swish'.
Selena Gomez and Kygo: 'It Ain't Me'
Pop princess Selena Gomez and Norwegian DJ Kygo created 'It Ain't Me' and it was hugely popular with fans of the pair.
Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne: 'Not Letting Go'
British singers Tinie Tempah and Jess Glynne made the perfect summer track when they released 'Not Letting Go'.
DJ Khalid and Rihanna: 'Wild Thoughts'
Despite not releasing much solo music in 2017, Rihanna featured on DJ Khalid's single 'Wild Thoughts', and EVERYONE loved it.
Stormzy and MNEK: 'Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2'
After a seriously impressive 2017, Stormzy released his single 'Blinded By Your Grace Pt. 2' featuring MNEK towards the end of the year.
Ed Sheeran and Eminem: ''River'
To end the year off, Ed Sheeran worked with his idol Eminem on the track 'River' which features on the rapper's new album 'Revival'.
In other Ed Sheeran news, last month, he serenaded Bruno Mars for his birthday, Bruno posted the video of the pair saying, 'You know you’ve made it when you can hire Ed Sheeran to sing you Happy Birthday. 🍾🥂 #ExtraForever! #HappyBrunoMarsDay!'.
You can hear Ed Sheeran's songs on Downtown Radio.
