Ed Sheeran reveals the secrets to his successful songwriting
He's released three Number 1 albums
Ed Sheeran
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 14th Jan 2019 Last updated 15th Jan 2019
Ed Sheeran has opened up about the secrets behind his super successful songwriting. The pop star, who has three Number 1 albums and a Christmas Number 1 - 'Perfect', under his belt, revealed details in an interview with the Daily Star.
Revealing that he will always put the kettle on before he sits down to start writing the next hit, Ed Sheeran explained that he always writes sober, and finds, "ideas happen when you have a cup of tea."
To date, Ed Sheeran has released a staggering 24 singles, with 13 of them reaching the Top 10 in the UK. Earlier this month is was revealed just how much Ed Sheeran's daily earnings are, according to figures released by Nathan Cable Touring, Ed Sheeran's company for his 'live performance of music', his income was around £38.8 million in 2018.
Ed also has more earnings from another company he has for his, 'writing, recording and production of music' - Ed Sheeran Ltd. This company sees him earning, £75,000 per day, on top of the earnings from Nathan Cable Touring!
Whilst Ed only released one song last year, 'Happier', he is confirmed to have worked on a collaboration with rapper 50 Cent. 50 Cent confirmed the exciting news in December 2018, tweeting, 'I recorded a song last night with Eminem & ED Sheeran, I had fun doing it we got some heat.' sic
Now take a look at the biggest collaborations from 2018:
Swipe through to see the biggest collaborations of 2018...
Ed Sheeran reveals the secrets to his successful songwriting
2 of 28
Ellie Goulding and Diplo
After taking time off, Ellie Goulding returned in 2018 with 'Close To Me', featuring Diplo.
Swipe through to see the biggest collaborations of 2018...
Liam Payne and Rita Ora
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne joined forces with Rita Ora to record the Fifty Shade Freed single 'For You'.
Dua Lipa and Calvin Harris
BRIT Award winner Dua Lipa teamed up with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris to create their amazing summer track 'One Kiss'.
Paloma Faith and Sigala
Paloma Faith lent her vocals to Sigala's amazing single 'Lullaby'.
Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton
Justin Timberlake made his return to music in 2018 and teamed up with American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton for the massive single 'Say Something'.
Anne-Marie and Marshmello
British singer Anne-Marie and American music producer Marshmello worked together to create the incredible 'Friends'.
Cardi B and Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars enlisted the help of American rapper Cardi B to re-release his super upbeat single 'Finesse'.
Jess Glynne and Rudimental
Jess Glynne teamed up with Rudimental on the single 'These Days' to help her become the first British female solo artist to ever score six UK Number 1 singles.
Calum Scott and Leona Lewis
Former Britain's Got Talent star Calum Scott and winner of The X Factor Leona Lewis teamed up on the stunning single 'You Are The Reason'.
Camila Cabello and Young Thug
Former Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello dominated the charts with her massive collaboration with Young Thug on the catchy single 'Havana'.
Rita Ora with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charlie XCX
Rita Ora teamed up with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charlie XCX for her single 'Girls' in May.
Camila Cabello and Pharrell
Camila Cabello and Pharrell have teamed up for 'Sangria Wine'. This new song didn't make it onto Camila's self-titled debut solo album, but it has now been released as a single.
Maroon 5 and Cardi B
Maroon 5 and Cardi B teamed up for 'Girls Like You'. The music video stars a number of celebrities including Camila Cabello, Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora and Adam Levine's wife Behati Prinsloo and their daughter Dusty Rose. The photo shows the lead singer from Maroon 5, Adam Levine and Cardi B.
Sigala - featuring Fuse ODG, Sean Paul and Kent Jones
Sigala's song is quite the collaboration, it fuses together inspiration from each of the collaborators. Sigala described the song as an, "Amazing mix of cultures with Sean Paul from Jamaica, Fuse ODG from Ghana and Kent Jones from America."
Nicki Minaj ft. Ariana Grande
Superstar rapper Nicki Minaj has teamed up with Ariana Grande for another great collaboration, 'Bed'. 'Bed' is the follow up to Nicki's 'Chun-Li' and features on her fourth studio album, 'Queen'.
Little Mix and Cheat Codes
This track is Little Mix's first song to be released in 2018 and quite different from their usual sound.
Jax Jones featuring Mabel
'Ring Ring' is Jax Jones's first song since 2017, the music video includes graphics of a spaceman interspersed with a bag of sweets called Jax Jones, in the style of a Haribo bag.
David Guetta and Anne-Marie
David Guetta and Anne-Marie team up for the first time to release 'Don't Leave Me Alone'.
DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Quavo
DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Quavo have teamed up to release 'No Brainer'.
Calvin Harris and Sam Smith
Calvin Harris and Sam Smith teamed up on 'Promises'.
Bastille and Marshmello
Bastille and Marshmello have teamed up for their new single 'Happier'. Lead singer Dan (pictured) tweeted saying, 'Last year we wrote a song called "Happier" which we thought would be great as a collaboration. We had a lot of fun getting to work on it with Marshmello who managed to find some joy in the melancholy…'.
Sigala, Ella Eyre, Meghan Trainor and French Montana
British DJ Sigala has dropped another fantastic single, this time teaming up with some big names, including Ella Eyre, Meghan Trainor and French Montana!
Olly Murs and Snoop Dogg
Olly Murs and Snoop Dogg have teamed up for the fantastic single 'Moves'. They dropped the song the lyric video on the 27th September.
Little Mix and Nicki Minaj
The Little Mix girls teamed up with American rapper Nicki Minaj for their amazing hit single 'Woman Like Me'.
James Arthur and Anne-Marie
The amazing James Arthur and Anne-Marie teamed up to release their own rendition of 'Rewrite The Stars' from The Greatest Showman.
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper teamed up together when they both starred in 2018 film A Star Is Born. Their duet 'Shallow' took the charts by storm, with many fans dubbing it their 'favourite duet' of the year.
Liam Payne, Jonas Blue and Lennon Stella
Liam, Jonas and Lennon teamed up on the hit 'Polaroid' in 2018. The single was a massive hit with fans with its summery vibe.
Ellie Goulding and Diplo
After taking time off, Ellie Goulding returned in 2018 with 'Close To Me', featuring Diplo.
Swipe through to see the biggest collaborations of 2018...
Liam Payne and Rita Ora
Former One Direction singer Liam Payne joined forces with Rita Ora to record the Fifty Shade Freed single 'For You'.
Dua Lipa and Calvin Harris
BRIT Award winner Dua Lipa teamed up with Scottish DJ Calvin Harris to create their amazing summer track 'One Kiss'.
Paloma Faith and Sigala
Paloma Faith lent her vocals to Sigala's amazing single 'Lullaby'.
Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton
Justin Timberlake made his return to music in 2018 and teamed up with American singer-songwriter Chris Stapleton for the massive single 'Say Something'.
Anne-Marie and Marshmello
British singer Anne-Marie and American music producer Marshmello worked together to create the incredible 'Friends'.
Cardi B and Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars enlisted the help of American rapper Cardi B to re-release his super upbeat single 'Finesse'.
Jess Glynne and Rudimental
Jess Glynne teamed up with Rudimental on the single 'These Days' to help her become the first British female solo artist to ever score six UK Number 1 singles.
Calum Scott and Leona Lewis
Former Britain's Got Talent star Calum Scott and winner of The X Factor Leona Lewis teamed up on the stunning single 'You Are The Reason'.
Camila Cabello and Young Thug
Former Fifth Harmony singer Camila Cabello dominated the charts with her massive collaboration with Young Thug on the catchy single 'Havana'.
Rita Ora with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charlie XCX
Rita Ora teamed up with Cardi B, Bebe Rexha and Charlie XCX for her single 'Girls' in May.
Camila Cabello and Pharrell
Camila Cabello and Pharrell have teamed up for 'Sangria Wine'. This new song didn't make it onto Camila's self-titled debut solo album, but it has now been released as a single.
Maroon 5 and Cardi B
Maroon 5 and Cardi B teamed up for 'Girls Like You'. The music video stars a number of celebrities including Camila Cabello, Millie Bobby Brown from Stranger Things, Ellen DeGeneres, Jennifer Lopez, Rita Ora and Adam Levine's wife Behati Prinsloo and their daughter Dusty Rose. The photo shows the lead singer from Maroon 5, Adam Levine and Cardi B.
Sigala - featuring Fuse ODG, Sean Paul and Kent Jones
Sigala's song is quite the collaboration, it fuses together inspiration from each of the collaborators. Sigala described the song as an, "Amazing mix of cultures with Sean Paul from Jamaica, Fuse ODG from Ghana and Kent Jones from America."
Nicki Minaj ft. Ariana Grande
Superstar rapper Nicki Minaj has teamed up with Ariana Grande for another great collaboration, 'Bed'. 'Bed' is the follow up to Nicki's 'Chun-Li' and features on her fourth studio album, 'Queen'.
Little Mix and Cheat Codes
This track is Little Mix's first song to be released in 2018 and quite different from their usual sound.
Jax Jones featuring Mabel
'Ring Ring' is Jax Jones's first song since 2017, the music video includes graphics of a spaceman interspersed with a bag of sweets called Jax Jones, in the style of a Haribo bag.
David Guetta and Anne-Marie
David Guetta and Anne-Marie team up for the first time to release 'Don't Leave Me Alone'.
DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Quavo
DJ Khaled, Justin Bieber, Chance The Rapper and Quavo have teamed up to release 'No Brainer'.
Calvin Harris and Sam Smith
Calvin Harris and Sam Smith teamed up on 'Promises'.
Bastille and Marshmello
Bastille and Marshmello have teamed up for their new single 'Happier'. Lead singer Dan (pictured) tweeted saying, 'Last year we wrote a song called "Happier" which we thought would be great as a collaboration. We had a lot of fun getting to work on it with Marshmello who managed to find some joy in the melancholy…'.
Sigala, Ella Eyre, Meghan Trainor and French Montana
British DJ Sigala has dropped another fantastic single, this time teaming up with some big names, including Ella Eyre, Meghan Trainor and French Montana!
Olly Murs and Snoop Dogg
Olly Murs and Snoop Dogg have teamed up for the fantastic single 'Moves'. They dropped the song the lyric video on the 27th September.
Little Mix and Nicki Minaj
The Little Mix girls teamed up with American rapper Nicki Minaj for their amazing hit single 'Woman Like Me'.
James Arthur and Anne-Marie
The amazing James Arthur and Anne-Marie teamed up to release their own rendition of 'Rewrite The Stars' from The Greatest Showman.
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper teamed up together when they both starred in 2018 film A Star Is Born. Their duet 'Shallow' took the charts by storm, with many fans dubbing it their 'favourite duet' of the year.
Liam Payne, Jonas Blue and Lennon Stella
Liam, Jonas and Lennon teamed up on the hit 'Polaroid' in 2018. The single was a massive hit with fans with its summery vibe.
Ellie Goulding and Diplo
After taking time off, Ellie Goulding returned in 2018 with 'Close To Me', featuring Diplo.
Ed Sheeran is set to go on tour this year with just a few performances in Leeds and Ipswich. He will play at Leeds Roundhay Park on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th August 2019 close to where he was born in Halifax, West Yorkshire back in February 1991. Then, honouring the place he was brought up in Framlington, Suffolk, Ed will play the nearby Ipswich Chantry Park on Friday 23rd, Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th August 2019.
NOW WATCH: Ed Sheeran Live at Islington Assembly Hall
For great music, brilliant banter and incredible competitions tune into Northsound 1 on 96.9, 97.6 or 103.0 FM, online, on our Northsound app, your DAB digital radio, or say ‘Play Northsound 1’ on your Smart Speaker. We give you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.
