Who's behind the notes? Discover Ed Sheeran: The Definitive Biography
"Shape of You" is a hit song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. Released on January 6, 2017, as part of his third studio album, "÷" (Divide), the song quickly became one of Sheeran's most successful and popular tracks. Here are some interesting facts about "Shape of You":
Songwriting Collaboration: Ed Sheeran co-wrote "Shape of You" with Johnny McDaid and Steve Mac. Johnny McDaid is a member of the band Snow Patrol, and Steve Mac is a successful British songwriter and producer.
Originally Intended for Rihanna: Sheeran initially wrote the song with Rihanna in mind. However, after considering it, he decided to keep the song for himself. He thought the lyrics might not suit Rihanna's style, so he recorded and released it as part of his own album.
Global Chart Success: "Shape of You" achieved massive success worldwide, reaching the top of the charts in numerous countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and many more. It became one of the best-selling digital singles of all time.
Streaming Records: The song broke several streaming records. It became the first track to reach 2 billion streams on Spotify, making it the platform's most-streamed song at the time.
Grammy Awards: "Shape of You" received several nominations at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards in 2018. It was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance and Best Pop Vocal Album (for the album "÷").
Commercial Endorsement: The song was featured in a commercial for the 2017 Toyota CH-R and subsequently helped boost its popularity.
Musical Style: "Shape of You" incorporates elements of pop, dancehall, and R&B, showcasing Ed Sheeran's versatility in blending various musical genres.
Chart Dominance: Ed Sheeran made history by having both "Shape of You" and another single from the same album, "Castle on the Hill," debut in the top 10 of the UK Singles Chart simultaneously.
Record-Breaking Spotify Streams in a Single Day: On March 3, 2017, "Shape of You" set a record for the most streams in a single day on Spotify with over 10 million plays.
Cover Versions and Parodies: Due to its immense popularity, "Shape of You" has inspired numerous cover versions and parodies by various artists and content creators across the globe.