Ed Sheeran allowed Billboard to follow him around for an entire day in NYC and the cover story turned out to be… okay. I actually like Ed and think he’s an interesting guy, but he’s not, like, my favorite person in the world. The Billboard cover story is completely overwritten – they’re also following around a few other people, making this a “24 Hours In Music” piece – but the Ed parts are fine. Some highlights:
His friendship with Taylor Swift: “It’s quite a weird thing for the No. 1 and No. 2 biggest-selling artists in the world to be close friends. I don’t think that happens a lot.”
He was up late the night before. He says he had a “solo” night, hanging out in his hotel room and watching the Amy Winehouse documentary and drinking two bottles of Jay Z’s Armand de Brignac champagne, “a case of which Beyoncé sent over after the pair dueted flirtatiously on “Drunk in Love” at the Global Citizen Festival in Central Park three days earlier. (She signed the card “A gangster’s wife.”)”
Launching his new label, Gingerbread Man: “Without sounding weird, I don’t need the money. It’s just me wanting to hear some cool music on the radio.”
His glad-handing smile: “It’s funny — my ex-girlfriend, who the whole first album is about, was like, ‘I can tell when you’re not happy in pictures, because you do this fake smile.’ If you can see my teeth, I’m happy.”
He’s not into streaming. “I don’t stream anything ever. I don’t even really get it. I buy everything off iTunes or physically.”
Wait, WHAT? “I’ve never listened to a Radiohead album, to be honest. I didn’t hear a Bruce Springsteen song until like two years ago, and now I f—ing love Springsteen. I didn’t hear Michael Jackson songs till I was 14. I like discovering things on my own. I want to have that moment of ‘holy sh-t,’ the moment of the epiphany.”
The difference between his entourage & a rapper’s entourage: “I haven’t got a weed guy. They always have a weed guy. A jewelry guy, too.”
His people want to release his new album next September, before the Grammy cutoff: “Adele is releasing her album in the same Grammy category. I don’t know if I’m brave enough to go up against her.”
When asked if he currently has a girlfriend: “I just never want to be public. It always, always backfires. I really wish I could disappear at moments that I’m with a significant other. It’s none of anyone’s f—ing business.”
Does he get to hang with Taylor Swift’s squad? “Of course. It’s not a vaginas-only club.”
I really don’t understand how someone with even a passing interest in modern music can say that they’ve never listened to a Radiohead album. WTF? It’s even weirder for a music professional, a singer-songwriter and a British artist! Thom Yorke is practically canonized in the UK. How can you go through life and never listen to OK Computer?! I kind of understand (maybe…?) how a British guy could have not heard Bruce Springsteen growing up, but seriously… he didn’t hear any Michael Jackson music until he was 14? What the what?
Photos courtesy of Billboard.
Frodo rojo.
ha ha ha ha ha ha
Lol
If they ever want to make the hobbit: the musical, he’s the man!
I know many people like him, but, I’ve never listened to any of his songs, he grosses me out, everything about him disgusts me. I have no idea why, except maybe it’s that horrendous red hair and his childlike face. Ewww
Strangely, Prince Harry, who also has red hair, I find very hot.
Same here. I have a physical reaction to him, makes me sick.
Oh damn, me too. Could this be his too round head/face? I feel awful about it, almost guilty.
I feel exactly the same way. There needs to be a club for this.
I like his music but he seems a little full of himself.
His cover made me kind of hungry for junk food but I digress….
Totally agree (as usual), first 2 paragraphs and I thought to myself “Holy Namedropper” :
Beyoncé sent me this Jay-Z champagne case,
Me and TayTay are besties and are the best in the business
I don’t have time to listen to what others consider “classic” artists because I like to find out on my own time
Gosh. This really bored me. And I cannot forget that I cannot stand is permanent greasy hair syndrome.
I have to agree with you Mimz. And if it makes Ed feel any better, I haven’t heard any of his music yet, but own almost everything by Radiohead.
cosign, 100%
Is that Five Guys? Looks like it, but the booth backround is NOT Five Guys.
He’s so unappealing IMO. Up his own backside too.
And who doesn’t listen to Radiohead at some point? Especiallly if you’re into that music. It’s like saying you’re Punk Rock, but never listened to the Ramones or Sex Pistols, Or The Damned,
Now I really want 5 Guys. Thanks.
He reminds me of Swift… not a compliment
“It’s quite a weird thing for the No. 1 and No. 2 biggest-selling artists in the world to be close friends.” This makes him seem narcissistic. Who refers to themselves that way?!?!
I just don’t find him likable. There’s something smug about him.
Agree, thank you.
Also agree. His music is okay, doesn’t quite stick out to me. If he wasn’t friends with Taylor, he wouldn’t be anywhere.
Agreed. In fact, I find him unlikable. He always has opinions of everyone else’s music. He needs to just shut up and thank his lucky stars that for whatever reason he actually became a thing.
I’ve never listened to Ed Sheeran, to be honest.
Trust me. Lucky you.
There’s something about him that bugs me. I only listened to a couple of his songs which were “Thinking Out Loud” and Photograph which is quite good. But I haven’t listen to a Radiohead album either, only a few songs of theirs.
I agree. Although to be fair, I don’t know anything about him and I’ve never heard his music before. From what I’ve read here though, he seems like a bit of a dbag.
Agreed.
I think both he and his music are awful. And amidst all the Taylor Swift-Nicki Minaj VMAs nonsense, I can’t believe no one identified him as the weak link in all the nominees this year. If anyone didn’t deserve their spot, it was him.
Agreed. His music is extremely bland and sentimental.
Bland and sentimental.. Perfect description. There’s little lasting appeal about him. Good thing he’s part of Tay Tays squad.
Thinking Out Loud ranks up there with Daughters for bland, inoffensive, banality. I have a hunch it’s on the soundtrack in Hell.
I thought he seemed smug in print interviews. Then I saw him in live interviews and guest appearances on screen and had the realization that he’s actually kind of a dingbat. He’s sort of dumb, an airhead. Completely harmless, and yeah, he seems so clueless that I can believe he has lived in his own mental bubble and been delayed in learning about things or becoming worldly.
It’s balanced out by the fact that he looks like a ginger hobbit with a lazy eye.
I’m glad I am not the only one who thinks that. Maybe it’s overcompensation for being sort of unfortunate looking
So no radio reception then?
Lol!
Ofcourse, he doesn’t. Because you either purchase outright or you don’t listen…
I like his answer about Adele, it’s refreshing.
He’s completely inoffensive and seems nice and low-key, but no matter what he does he’s still on my irrational hate list. I wish I knew why.
He’s a drunk. He definitely has heard Radiohead, but he was probably too drunk to realise
I mean, he probably has heard their music, he just hasn’t played their album and listened to it. OK Computer was released when he was six, Kid A when he was nine, so yeah, I can believe he’s never listened to a Radiohead album. Maybe they just aren’t to his taste.
I have a much harder time believing that he never heard a Springstein or Michael Jackson song. That’s highly improbable.
I also thought maybe his age had to do with why he hadn’t heard a Radiohead album.
I figured maybe British radio doesn’t play Bruce Springsteen. I do think Micheal Jackson would have been played there a lot, though.
Maybe his parents didn’t let him listen to pop music? That’s the only theory I can come up with.
I am british and around the same age as him, i find it very difficult to believe he hasn’t heard Radiohead until recently. Michael Jackson is even harder to believe.
Springsteen however is more of an american thing, Radiohead is probably played more here in the UK then Springsteen is, so i will give him a pass on that one.
In Rainbows was released in 2007, and I will flat out say that I think it was one of the best, if not the best, albums of that decade. How has he not listened to In Rainbows?!
Littlestar
I bought Rainbows for $15 just because they asked you to pay what you felt it was worth. Amazing on both that concept and the album!
As a side point… Radiohead is a great band to also see their musical evolution. Pablo Honey was heavily guitar driven and that gave way to electronic.
Also, Thom has released some random Piano pieces just on their own because the band felt they were perfect and additional instruments or lyrics would only detract.
More Side points.. Just music video still elludes me… What did he say?!
Radio head is one of those bands you end up copying.
I believe it. Frankly, I’ve never listened to an entire Taylor Swift, Rihanna or Ed Sheeran album – so not surprised if he hasn’t heard a whole Radiohead album. Easy enough to avoid, especially now in the world of single song downloads. Not like a decade back when you had to buy an entire CD.
The difference is I feel like he’s missing out… not sure I am….
I’ve never listened to an Ed Sheeran album
Me either. Last CD I bought was Green Day’s American Idiot. 🙂 I don’t listen to the radio, so I have no idea what type of music Ed even makes!
Hahaha, I’ve owned five albums in my life and I think the last one purchased was Back to Black. Before that it was either Shadowboxer or Perennial Favorites by Squirrel Nut Zippers, whichever was more recent. And by recent I mean….chronologically recent. 😁
Back to Black was amazing.
With Itunes excluded the last full album I bought was… hmm..?
Hand raised high! I’m happily a member of this club.
And I’m pretty open to most music, will listen to anything all the way through several times usually before deciding on it but his voice annoys me. So, not listening to him.
Me too, and something about him gives me the skeeves.
Same here. Saw Radiohead live over 20 years ago though and it was life-changing.
Oh kitten, me too! Last time I saw them was in Boston outside at the venue whose name escapes me but it was set up to oh so conveniently sell Harpoon beer and every time Thom said ‘new song’ it was a call for me to go get another beer. I got harpooned by Harpoon! I’m way too old for that as was clear from the worst hangover since my college days. But what a great time!
I first saw Radiohead at Liberty Park in NJ a month before 9/11. It was such a beautiful night! The Statue of Liberty off to one side of the stage and the NYC sky line and twin towers to the other. I know one song -creep- which of course they didn’t play but I was hooked! Seeing them live and Thom dancing was magical…
YES! The Bank Boston Pavillion right? That’s where I saw them many years ago!
That must have been really incredible to have that NYC back-drop combined with Thom’s haunting voice. Very cool, Cricket 🙂
I saw them in Toronto, about 12 years ago the show was incredible. Mind blowing. At one point an audience member in the front passed out. Thom stopped the band mid song, waited until the paramedics came and got the person and took them out of the stadium then without so much as a nod, they picked up the song and started at the exact moment where they stopped. It was seamless, moving and magic.. I miss that band!!!
Kitten… yep, that was the place in Boston. We stayed at a hotel nearby and the concierge told us the band was staying there as well. He kept giving us hints that we shouldn’t leave yet so we may get a glimpse of them but I didn’t want to pest and really, what does one say to Thom York? I would have like to see them in ‘real life’ but I would have left them alone..
After seeing them in concert the first time, I was hooked! I didn’t really ‘get’ their music by just listening to the CD had to see them live first and then a fan was born 🙂 I’ve seen them about 4 times. Oh, and their Glastonbury show was beyond awesome!! Highly recommend to anyone looking to check them out – see this concert video then decide.
In regards to Ed, I only knew he was TayTay’s friend, knew none of his work but heard a girl sing the a team on the Voice and loved her version so that is how I discovered him. I find him harmless
They played Bonnaroo in 06! Thom was overr by a giant switchboard(?) pulling plugs and inserting them. Can’t remember the song, but it was amazing.
And Ed… He looks greasy.
Me, 2, 3, 4, whatever! Radiohead’s music is amazing.
And every musician seems to have the “We’re Bigger Than Jesus” moment.
It’s ok. You’re not missing anything! His music is as bland as they come.
same here. I came to defend Radiohead.
I have two “albums”–Adele’s 21….and this collection of Edith Piaf’s 100 best songs (or whatever it’s called)….those are the only two that I’ve ever listened to all the way through.
So hes the number 2 artist in the world?…ok
His music is okay but whenever i look at him im reminded of how messed up and sexist the world/entertainment industry is – a woman with his features wouldnt get very far and if she miraculously did she would be constantly made fun of about her appearance and it would overshadow whatever talent she has…
Amen!! – Can you imagine, any starlet pigging out like that, hell hath furry on her. She’d be inundated with haters, berated by sexist men, call her plus sized, and photo shopped to hell in magazine covers.
I digress – I think he’s really insecure about his appearance. He brags and trys to cover it, and it come across as being smug. Or maybe he sees his privilege, and feels smug about him.
I’m trying to like him.. but it’s hard. His music is okay – but not ground-breaking. Got to give it too him, the dude knows how to schmooze with celebrity friends though.
@Mia, you are so right on this. It is a weird dichotomy that some-one who looks like him has managed to make a high profile career for himself, and has not been constantly pilloried in the press for his unconventional looks. He may have genuine musical talent, which is probably the main reason for his success. I found his statement “I really don’t need the money” to be insensitive and tone deaf to the current state of the world. I thought “well isn’t he the lucky duck”, most people need to work to earn a living. I think the kindest thing to say about him is, he has a face only a mother could love.
You’re so right. Even Adele, who is not model-skinny, is otherwise conforming to or surpassing most beauty standards. If she was a cute but funny-looking redhead, would we still have Adele?
Perhaps he means that he doesn’t listen to them “on purpose”?
I thought I didn’t know “Journey”, for example, when a friend mentioned that they are his favorite band. But when he played their hits, I definitely recognized them, I just didn’t know they were theirs. Same goes for many artists for me: I don’t listen to the radio a lot (where they announce the name of the singer), but I hear music in stores and malls and such, and very often I like a song, but have no idea who sings it. Ed’s music is very much there for me: aside from 1 song that a friend shared on FB (and I didn’t like), I can’t name a single song by him, but it is possible I’ve heard them in public places, if he is that big.
I’ve never listened to Radiohead, either. I have a vague passing notion that they did a song called Creep? And it was really melancholy? I heard a bit and decided to skip it. And I listen to many genres of music. Everything is not for everyone.
You decided to skip Creep? OMG, it’s like one of my favorite songs of all time, along with Fade Out and No surprises. Not judging, but still surprised. 🙂 Would you mind telling me what your top 3 songs are? I just wonder if I know/like them.
I don’t think I could pick a top three if my life depended on it! Truly. But today it would be the Thriller Album, Adele’s new single, and an acappella rendition of Lecha Dodi by the Maccabeats. Tomorrow I could be on Carly Simon and Justin Bieber. I have amazing/terrible taste in music.
same here. I may have heard about 9 to 10 songs. Its not something I would listen to on repeat, that’s all. Not my jam. But that’s alright.
“Creep” has to be one of their least distinguished singles. I love their music as much as, and for the same reasons for which I love 19th-early 20th century Continental art songs. I recommend listening to their 2003 Glastonbury set. Truly.
I don’t think the oddness of Sheeran’s not having heard them lies with some prescribed notion of universality or mass appeal, as not much of Radiohead would be very readily described as radio-ready easy-listening, but that with consistently excellent song-writing and production instincts they have earned canonization that would not be easily dismissed by a fellow countryman.
Ha! I just recommended their Glastonbury set too.. sorry didn’t see you already mentioned it.. great minds think a like 🙂
No worries. I have spent my entire life fearing every instinct is a strange one; I am delighted for the validation. 🙂 My cat, otherwise aloof, only snuggles to Glastonbury.
I don’t think I could identify any of their songs beyond Creep. I would expect someone in the UK to be more familiar, for sure. Though, as I commented above, Sheeran is kind of in his own world.
The only reason I know that song or that it was radiohead is because a goth electronic artist I listen to covered it and I looked up the lyrics once. I think the cover is better too. Band is called Solar Fake if anyone’s interested in hearing a version that is actually creepy. The guy signing is a baritone and is kinda creepy looking too.
I never really listened to Radiohead either. Thom York’s voice is just a snoozefest to me and so is their production. I never “got” them. Don’t get Muse either, or Coldplay. Sure don’t get Sheeran.
Muse and Coldplay are both heavily influenced by Radiohead so it would make sense if you don’t like them either. Radiohead’s music is not for everyone and their current music is certainly not radio-friendly. And I can give two sh**s about Ed Sheeran.
I have no idea who Radiohead are either. But I don’t like Top 40 music.
You’re not from a english-speaking country, right? Because I live in one of the poorest states of Brazil, and I’ve heard of Radiohead when I was 11 years old.
Not judging, just a little hard to believe haha.
They’re not one of hottest bands of the moments, but definitely one of the best bands in this world. If you really never listened to it, you should. Their music is very beautifully written and just amazing to hear. Thom Yorke, the frontman, is my favorite musician ever.
hmmm
He’s never listened to Radiohead? That’s crazy talk. But then, I’ve never heard of Ed or his music either. 🙂 Really. If it wasn’t for CB, I could see this guy on the street and never think: celebrity.
I can almost promise you that if you heard his music, you would never think he is a celebrity.
I have never listened to his album either but Radiohead is my absolute fav Thom Yorke can do no wrong in my eyes I can listen to all on repeat especially if I need to tune out at work. Something about him bugs me.
Radiohead was always my go to for listening when I had to focus and concentrate on work (boring auditing stuff). I actually found and have a few CDs made of their music but done with classical version. It’s incredible!!
I’m a bit younger than he is and have lisitened to Radiohead, but a bunch of my friends didn’t. Granted, we’re not an English speaking country, and apart from Creep, I don’t remember hearing any other Radiohead song on the radio. Bruce on the other hand, gets played a lot. A LOT. I find him not hearing Springsteen much stranger.
I find he’s always talking about Taylor. Granted, he could always just be asked that, but it’s like he never grew out of her shadow and now he just constantly name drops. This interview definitely made me see why they’re friends. Smug friends stay together.
no radio head? fine, maybe .. but no MJ until 14?? seriously Ed ?? where do you live? coz I, who just one year older than you, live in southeast asia and I know MJ as king of pop since I was kid ..
His music is fine but he is so full of himself.
So in his world Tay no.1 and he is no.2 best selling artist … hmm
I was indifferent to him but that entourage answer rubbed me the wrong was and I just do not like him.
Exactly. How is it that his lack of awareness on who radiohead is the headline but not his offensive, borderline, racist comment on rappers’ entourage isn’t?
RIGHT
ugh i hate his mediocre songs anyway
I don’t blame him for the Radiohead answer. It’s not like he says he has never heard a Radiohead song.
I like to listen to the occasional Radiohead song here and there but I don’t enjoy listening to them for a longer time. After a short while I really REALLY need to turn the music off, I don’t think I could make it through a full album.
And I don’t think he literally means the Bruce Springsteen and MJ thing. I’m sure he has heard some of there songs but never sat down to really listen to more than what’s played in public.
I find Ed to sound rather unlikeable in most of the other answers though. “I’m SO rich and I’m friend’s with SO many famous/popular people, blablabla”
*old fart rant*
I’m 35 so, not old but when I see shows like X Factor and the amount of the younger people on it who have no idea about music that was released beyond their lifetime is baffling, especially given these are people who want to enter the music industry. And it’s not just on there, I see it all the time out and about when they hear a maybe slightly less well known song you overhear “Ive never heard this, who is this?” and it’s someone REALLY well known. My parents weren’t music nuts but I was exposed to everything beyond just stuff in the charts.
I weep for them thinking 2000+ Madonna is the only version there is.
(I also love Ed’s song Photograph…don’t hate me)
I completely agree Lindy – if Ed was just some guy who had no connection to the music industry, I wouldn’t care that he had never listened to Radiohead. But Ed is a professional in music AND he’s English. How can he not have heard Radiohead, for the love of God?
Even people I know that don’t like them have heard of OK Computer and The Bends! OK Kid A is way out there for non fans but those two albums were in the album charts for months. (as an aside seeing Kid A live, front row and having my lungs literally shaking with the vibrations is a memory that will stay with me forever)
I blame the shitification of MTV. I used to be exposed to so many types of music through shows like Alternative Nation, Yo MTV Raps, Headbangers Ball etc. aswell as the US and Euro charts.
oh, come on. Believe it or not, non Americans are not Radiohead taught when younger, neither does it come on the radio. The only song I heard on the radio was Creep. If I had stayed with that song, I would have never known that that is not their “usual” song. I was 20something when I realised how great they are, and then I listened to all of their work. I agree they are excellent, but I don’t agree they are ubiquitous as you may think! peace
I agree
He’s Brit, so are Radiohead. RH is big in the UK, much bigger than in the US; Jonny Greenwood was the residency composer for the BBC orchestra and the way In Rainbow was launched (pay what you want, news dropped a week in advance) revolutionized the way artists would advertise their records (even his galpal Bey pulled a Radiohead after all!). So yes, he should know them.
He didn’t say he didn’t know them …. he said he didn’t listen to their albums = bit of a difference
My comment was more about the “none Americans are not thaught RH when younger” part. While it’s true that RH isn’t huge like U2 (and wouldn’t want to be most certainly), they were/are big enough in the UK to be known by 20 somethings. As from never having listened to a record, as I said previously, it’s a sad thing for a brit musician to say: even if they’re not your type, you should at least have listened Ok Computer and Kid A because they have been so influential.
Bizarre comment. I’ve lived both places, and Radiohead is much bigger in the UK. Not everyone in the UK is an expert, certainly, but I’d say an average UK citizen is much more likely to have heard something beyond Creep or Karma Police.
I’m a huge RH fan and I was this 10yo that was listening to Nirvana, Radiohead, Smashing Pumpkins, Blur and all that stuff and knew almost nothing about the current pop bands my friends were into (I mean, I did watch MTV and MuchMusic so I was exposed to it but didn’t care). I’m still trying to discover new stuff, I read music blogs, force myself to be open and listen to new hip hop and jazz and “world” music, I still go to concerts because I refuse this trend that you stop going to shows once you’re past 25; yeah I’m tired the next day at work but so what? And I do all this because I don’t think that I could say that I love music if I was only listening to a few styles and kept listening to my childhood/teenage bands only.
But seriously, how can you call yourself a musician and claim not to have ever heard of the Boss until 2 years ago? Or never really listen to a Radiohead record? At least he knows about The Beattles… I’m ok with the “I’m gonna discover things by myself” but really what have you been listening in the past 15 years so that you never encountered these artists before?! How can you be in a business, any type, and not try to learn about the big ones?! There were people doing music before you and your friends, you should learn about them. It screams intellectual lazyness to me and that’s definitely not something I’d brag about.
Stop going to shows after your 25? What. That’s preposterous. Most of the shows I go to the audience is 25 and up. No way no how. I’m 26 now and me stopping is just not happpening.
It depends on the concerts of course, but while I used to feel younger or the same age as the rest of the audience up to a few years ago, I’m definitely often feeling like I’m older than the majority of the crowd (and I’m just 30!) at many shows. Unless it’s something like Nick Cave or Patti Smith, then the crowd’s older. The “stop the shows at 25” isn’t from me but from a music critique I like a lot (he’s close to 60 now). I guess it stems from the fact that after a certain age, you start having more responsibilities (work, kids, etc.) and it makes going out and staying late on weekdays more difficult. Living of grad school stipends and going to shows is also a bit rough. But I’m definitely trying to fight the 25 curse as much as I can, and I hope that you’ll do too!
It depends on the scene I guess. There are music shows out there that are for an adult crowd. I guess it depends on the genre, artists, venue. There are some good smaller venues that are in my town that I go to a lot and they’re actually NOT for the under 25 crowd. I could see how going to pop concerts could be a problem after college. I don’t agree with your critic. If you’re going to see a show and not get throwing up drunk or whatnot is it really that difficult once in a while? Sure you probably can’t be a scenester anymore but not go to an occasional show? No that’s nuts. People 25-whatever like music too. Was he making an argument that it’s hard to make a living touring if your fanbase isn’t teeny boppers? I’d argue that too. What I think it boils down to is perspective. I’m lucky I
‘m in a place where I found a nice scene of 25-whatever people and we all like music.
I think we need some context. Ed’s parents were all about being creative and arty (they were art dealers and a jewelry designer). He didn’t really watch TV, He has said he hasn’t a clue about X Box or any of that because he just didn’t have them. He said his dad listened to Van Morrison, The Beatles etc so that’s what he listened to. So yeah, i believe that he was oblivious to a lot of stuff that we all take for granted. It’s hard for us to grasp that, but it’s not that big a deal. Who cares?
I have never listened to a Radiohead album either. I know a couple of their songs and i like Creep (but prefer the Social Network version!!) I only got into Springsteen about 10 years ago. My best friend is really out of the loop on who celebs are or certain bands. She likes the people she likes like Bon Jovi (lol) but ask her about somebody else really successful and she’s like ‘who?’
As for the name dropping, i can see why it seems smug but if you actually watch his interviews, he isn’t at all. He is just a really chatty guy who doesn’t have a lot of filter (remember when he said he sharted onstage??) and he has done the rounds so much in radio stations etc that he knows the DJs well and it’s like he’s having a conversation with mates. Most of the time they are asking him about Taylor or Elton (who he’s signed to) or Beyonce/Jay Z) It’s refreshing to see a big star be so open, but i have started to notice him be a lot more guarded and considered in the last couple of months because the press makes everything he says into a big deal. Since he split with his last gf (on the night of the Brits when he was pictured looking absolutely smashed) he has pulled back on talking about his private life. It’s smarter, but it just shows how it’s impossible to be yourself in interviews. You always have to censor yourself unless you are one of the very few who can say what they want and still be worshiped – ahem Adele!
I
Well said, Lou. I’m a little sick of some of his more mushy music but he seems like a nice person and a good guy. And Radiohead isn’t the end-all and be-all of MUST-LISTEN MUSIC! In fact, there are those who consider them vastly overrated.
For sure. Even The Beatles are considered vastly overrated by some.
*raises hand* Stones for the win.
thanks Lou for your thoughful comment! I’m quite surprised about all the negative comments on here.
And I find any artist who can entertain a full Wembley Station only with his/her voice and a guitar amazing.
Yeah, it’s weird. He’s one of the most talented artists around. There is a reason why every celeb wants to collaborate with him. His hits have been mostly ballads but if everyone was aware of his other music they wouldn’t think he was so one note or whatever it is they have a problem with.
Sadly, i see a lot of negative comments on here targeting the fact that he doesn’t look like your typical pop star, something he is very aware of and speaks openly about – he doesn’t really understand why he has girls screaming for him either). That is more a reflection on the people attacking his looks than on him. He’s a normal guy living a dream and it’s all down to his own talent. Haters gonna hate
Or maybe people think his music is boring? Thom Yorke of Radiohead isn’t much to look at either.The fact is that ed sheeran makes very safe mainstream music which obviously a lot of people like but a lot of people find really boring. Happen to think his looks helped him get cred he doesn’t always deserve. His songs aren’t better than most pop acts but since he’s a white guy with a guitar who looks like a hobbit people act like he’s above the whole thing. He’s as commercial as 1D and Nick Jonas or Riri. He’s just packaged differently.
People aren’t disparaging him for not looking like a typical pop star, but instead pointing out that a woman with a similar a-typical pop star look wouldn’t be nearly as successful.
Personally, I think his music is criminally bland and I don’t get why he’s a thing, but I guess it takes all kinds.
Oh commercial/packaged blah blah – could you be more of a hipster? He played 312 gigs in a year the year before he got signed. He worked his ass off and had made the right connections, was nice to everybody so they WANTED to play him and now he’s selling Wembley out x 3 times and his album has sold 12million. Just him and his guitar singing HIS songs. So what if you don’t like him. What should he have done? Stayed independent and kept playing to 2,000 capacity when he was capable of filling out stadiums? Would you ever go and take a reality check. He would have been a fking idiot not to take the opportunity — Look where he is now! Signing his own artists to his record label (he had his first #1 on his label recently…) I think what he has achieved at 24 is incredible. He doesn’t even come from a super wealthy family like T-Swift. He left home at 16 to gig in London and slept on friends couches and he made it big. How dare he!
Wow @lou lay of the insults will you?
The comment was in response to your claim that if you dont like him it’s because he’s not handsome. His music is extremely bland and boring to me. I didnt make any comments about how hard he works or his parents financial standing.
@ Bridget
I agree.
‘People aren’t disparaging him for not looking like a typical pop star’
Yes, they are. How many times is the Hobbit thing gonna be wrung out?
‘lay of the insults will you?’
Excuse me? Where did i insult you?
And i don’t necessarily agree about atypical looks not working for women. Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Celine Dion ..none of these women are supermodels. Instead they are super-talented, they worked hard and they made it.
@Hannah — “Wow @lou lay of the insults will you?” — huh? I don’t see @Lou insulting you or anyone. He’s defending his opinions quite politely, actually.
Kelly Clarkson, Pink, and Celine Dion are the best example you can come up with of women who aren’t the most attractive pop singers? I’m not trying to be mean, but compare them with Sheeran – they all had to adhere to a certain “look” as they were coming up in order to be attractive, whereas Sheeran basically gets to be an unkempt slob. Pop music, even of the treacly singer-songwriter variety that Sheeran peddles, is an incredibly manufactured product. We hear what a small group of people decide is going to be played, and Sheeran fills a niche.
And don’t forget, just a year ago all sorts of artists collaborated with Iggy Azalea… so that might not be the best yardstick to use for quality.
@ Lou @ zavi
“Oh commercial/packaged blah blah – could you be more of a hipster”
This comment sounds like an insult. Usually, at least here in England, name calling isnt considered polite exchange of opinions.
@lou Look I get that you’re a huge fan but it’s possible to argue your case without getting personal. It’s perfectly possible for you to try to explain sherans brilliance without belittling other people as hipsters for their honest opnions.
As for looks, well jay z and thom York are pretty unattractive too, it’s not about that, if ed sheeran had written something as accomplished as OK computer or showed jay z lyrical gifts on the blueprint I wouldn’t care that he looks like a hobbit.
It shows
I can tell he’s never listened to Radiohead… he should… maybe that would improve his music…
Haha. I was thinking the same thing!
When trolls think they’re kings….
He didn’t really sound arrogant to me when he said he had never listed to a Radiohead album in full. I suppose the revelation does strike me as a little odd since he’s British and a musician, but he didn’t sound full of himself or anything when he said it, imo. (I don’t know if the full interview reads differently though).
“the rapper entourage ALWAYS have weed guy and jewelry guy ” seriously ??
well Ed, and I think you stoned..
Quick! Someone give Ed Ok Computer or Kid A! Those albums are classics for a reason.
He’s the #2 artist and I’ve never heard him? I must be doing something right.
Don’t worry. Within five years you’ll be seeing a lot of him on Celebrity Big Brother. He’ll be the one screaming, ” Do you know who I am? I was number two?!”
He actually seems really arrogant. Like, referring to yourself as the #2-selling artist in the world? And assuming that you even WOULD be nominated for a Grammy against Adele? He drops names like crazy, too. I don’t know, he seems like a stereotypical Fuckboy in Nice Guy clothes.
This guy makes boring elevator music. I was shocked to find out he was British. Is he very popular in the UK? I would be kind of surprised if he is.
I’m sorry but, If he hasn’t heard CREEP then I don’t want to know him.
He seems kind of humble-braggy. Kind of annoyin. But ehatevs6
I have no idea why this angers me. Radiohead was huge while he was growing up. MTV and VH1 use the play them on a loop. OK Computer was a blockbuster and was played everywhere at the time. Why is he bullsh@ting us? Did he go up to Tom Yorke at a party and given the brush off? Liar.
He should give Radiohead a listen, might help him give his music a little more substance.
For real, everyone from Kanye to Janelle Monae are influenced by Radiohead. Ed should pick up the Bends or OKC. He can learn a thing or two.
Hell, even Muse is a watered down version of them. When they came out I was an African American girl from North Philadelphia were everyone listened to rap and R&B music and I listened OK Computer ad nauseam. So for him to pretend he’s not familiar is crap.
He’s a rich kid who writes highly derivative music. There’s a reason why his songs are infectious. The chord progressions are taken from other songs, mashed together, and changed enough not to infringe on copyright, but retain their original structure to encourage the sense of familiarity. Like his bestie, Tay Tay. Robbie Williams and a few others owe their whole careers to derivative music.
He’s also not fooling anyone with that frontal combover. I see your bald spot, Ichabod Sheeran.
no wonder he considers miley an “artist”.
Since he’s only 24 or 25, maybe he listens to music in a piece-meal fashion. He says he doesn’t stream, but he’s not really of the generation to listen to a whole album. I suspect someone his age growing up might have just bought singles, and not a whole album, from iTunes, (or maybe he just torrented the music he wanted.) Given his age, I could see how he might have started out listening to music in bits and pieces. He didn’t say that he had never heard of these artists — he just said that he had never sat through a whole album. So I can see him having listened to “Creep” as a single, but not a full album by Radiohead. Put in those terms, maybe his revelation isn’t that weird.
I have to admit the quote about him and Taylor Swift did sound rather odd.I thought that sounded worse than the stuff about Radiohead. At least the quote about Bruce Springsteen seemed like an attempt to compliment him.
Well I’ve listened to Raidohead and never listened to this guy. So match point. He seems skeevy.
+1.
Same here and I agree with you.
Radiohead are pretty dull. I prefer Motörhead.
He doesn’t listen to Radiohead? Why don’t we all say things we’re not doing like how I’m not a millionaire, I’m not into exercise, I’m not sleeping right now.
Is he really the #2 selling artist in the world?
Dunno. Never heard of him! I thought this article was about a LOT actor.
It’s because he’s busy listening to Jason Mraz’s albums. I think him and Thom make good LotR characters. Anyway, I’m no fan of Ed’s music but he seems like a nice fella. I heard he reads his fan mails and keeps the gifts given to him by fans. I can only imagine how he stores them.