Shape of You: The Story Behind Ed Sheeran's Global Hit
Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You" is one of the most successful songs of all time. Released in 2017 as the lead single from his third album (Divide), it topped the charts in dozens of countries, broke numerous streaming and sales records, and won several prestigious awards. But how did this catchy tune come to life? What is it really about? And who are some of the artists who have given it their own spin? In this article, we will explore the story behind Ed Sheeran's global hit "Shape of You".
How the song was written
"Shape of You" was written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, and Steve Mac. Sheeran revealed that he originally intended to write the song for another artist, such as Rihanna or Little Mix, but decided to keep it for himself after adding some personal touches. He said he was inspired by his own experiences of meeting girls at bars and falling in love with their bodies. He also borrowed some elements from TLC's "No Scrubs", for which he later gave credit to the original songwriters.
shape of you
The songwriting process was fast and spontaneous. Sheeran said he wrote the song in about 20 minutes with McDaid and Mac in a studio in London. He said he used a looping device to layer different melodies and rhythms on his guitar, while Mac came up with the keyboard riff that became the signature sound of the song. McDaid helped with the lyrics and structure of the song. Sheeran said he wanted to create a danceable track that would appeal to a wide audience.
How the song was received
"Shape of You" was released on January 6, 2017, along with another single, "Castle on the Hill". The two songs were meant to showcase the different sides of Sheeran's musical style. "Shape of You" was an instant hit, reaching number one on the UK Singles Chart and the US Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the charts in many other countries, such as Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
The song also broke several records on streaming platforms. It became the first song to reach 2 billion streams on Spotify, and later surpassed 3 billion streams. It also became the most-streamed song on Apple Music, YouTube, and Amazon Music. The song sold over 26 million copies worldwide in 2017, making it the best-selling digital song of that year. It also won several awards, such as the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance and the Brit Award for British Single of the Year.
How the song was interpreted
"Shape of You" is a song about physical attraction and sexual encounter between a man and a woman who meet at a bar. The lyrics describe how they dance, talk, kiss, and end up in bed together. The chorus repeats the line "I'm in love with the shape of you", implying that the man is more interested in the woman's body than her personality or emotions.
However, some listeners have suggested that there is more to the song than meets the eye. They have argued that the title "Shape of You" could also refer to how the woman fits into the man's life or how she shapes his feelings. They have pointed out that in the second verse, the man and the woman go on a date where they talk for hours about their families and their lives. They have also noted that in some live performances, Sheeran has changed some lyrics to make them more romantic or sentimental.
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The song has also sparked some controversy over its originality and appropriateness. Some critics have accused Sheeran of copying or stealing parts from other songs, such as TLC's "No Scrubs", Sia's "Cheap Thrills", and Kandi Burruss's "Don't Think I'm Not" . Some fans have also criticized Sheeran for objectifying women or promoting casual sex in his song . Sheeran has defended himself by saying that he was inspired by different songs and genres, and that he was not trying to offend anyone with his lyrics . How the song was covered
"Shape of You" has inspired many artists to create their own versions of the song. Some of them have changed the lyrics, the melody, the tempo, or the genre of the song. Some of them have added their own twists, such as rap verses, beatboxing, or instruments. Some of them have collaborated with other artists, such as singers, dancers, or comedians. Here are some examples of the most popular and creative covers of "Shape of You":
Cover Artist
Style
Link
Walk Off The Earth
A cappella with loop pedals and percussion
WOTE ft. Lisa Loeb
A cappella with loop pedals and percussion, plus a mashup with "Stay (I Missed You)"
Leroy Sanchez
Acoustic guitar and vocals
Leroy Sanchez ft. Madilyn Bailey
Acoustic guitar and vocals, plus a mashup with "Despacito"
The Piano Guys
Cello and piano instrumental
The Piano Guys ft. Ed Sheeran
Cello and piano instrumental, plus a mashup with "Perfect"
Ed Sheeran ft. Stormzy
Rap remix with additional verses by Stormzy
Ed Sheeran ft. Zion & Lennox
Latin remix with additional verses by Zion & Lennox
Ed Sheeran ft. Nyla & Kranium
Reggae remix with additional verses by Nyla & Kranium
Boyce Avenue
Rock cover with electric guitar and drums
Boyce Avenue ft. Diamond White
Rock cover with electric guitar and drums, plus a duet with Diamond White
Lindsey Stirling
Violin and dance cover
Lindsey Stirling ft. Pentatonix
Violin and dance cover, plus a cappella vocals by Pentatonix
Conclusion
"Shape of You" is more than just a catchy song. It is a cultural phenomenon that has captivated millions of listeners around the world. It is a testament to Ed Sheeran's talent and versatility as a songwriter and performer. It is also a source of inspiration and creativity for many other artists who have given it their own flair and flavor. Whether you love it or hate it, you cannot deny its impact and influence on the music industry and society.
If you enjoyed this article, please share it with your friends and family. And if you want to learn more about Ed Sheeran and his music, check out his official website, YouTube channel, and social media accounts. You can also listen to his songs on Spotify, Apple Music, or any other streaming service of your choice. Thank you for reading!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about "Shape of You":
Q: When was "Shape of You" released?
A: "Shape of You" was released on January 6, 2017, as the lead single from Ed Sheeran's third album (Divide).
Q: Who wrote "Shape of You"?
A: "Shape of You" was written by Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, and Steve Mac.
Q: What genre is "Shape of You"?
A: "Shape of You" is a pop song with influences from dancehall, tropical house, and R&B.
Q: How many awards did "Shape of You" win?
A: "Shape of You" won several awards, such as the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance, the Brit Award for British Single of the Year, the Billboard Music Award for Top Hot 100 Song, and the American Music Award for Favorite Song - Pop/Rock.
Q: How many covers of "Shape of You" are there?
A: There are hundreds of covers of "Shape of You" by various artists in different styles and genres. Some of the most popular and creative ones are listed in the table above. 44f88ac181
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