And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan Ep. 222: Ed Sheeran | Inside The Craft of a Songwriter’s Songwriter
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Sep 29, 2025 
Ed Sheeran, a globally acclaimed singer-songwriter and multi-Grammy winner, shares insights about his remarkable journey in music. He discusses how rap battles shaped his songwriting and reveals his emotional connections to songs, emphasizing the importance of writing honestly. Ed talks about his childhood influences, the impact of fatherhood on his craft, and the relentless pursuit of his music career without a backup plan. He also offers advice to aspiring musicians, highlighting the value of embracing failure and the joys of collaboration.
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Breakthrough Month In Los Angeles
- Ed Sheeran moved to LA and met Jamie Foxx, which boosted his confidence and helped him break the UK market.
- That month in LA convinced him he could succeed back home and changed how he approached his career.
Two Paths Of Songwriting
- Ed treats songwriting as two forks: lyrical, wordy songs and melody-first songs where melody is king.
- He balances albums by mixing deep lyrical tracks with melody-led pop to create full records.
Busking Shaped His Stage Songs
- Ed spent years busking and learned to make songs more bombastic to grab attention quickly.
- Busking taught him to insert catchy lines and hooks that stop passersby and pull them in.