Ed Sheeran opens up about personal struggles that inspired his new album. is known worldwide for his emotional and soulful songs that touch on love, heartbreak, and self-reflection. In a recent interview, the singer opened up about how his struggles over the past few years inspired his new album “=” (pronounced “Equals”). Through his raw, honest lyrics, Sheeran gives fans a glimpse into what’s been happening in his life behind closed doors.
Maturity and Growth
Ed Sheeran said making this album felt like a maturation process for him. In the past, he would write songs based more on observations of other people’s relationships and experiences. But for “=”, he dug deeper and wrote more about his feelings and journey of growing up. “This is the first time I sat down and opened up about things I’m going through and my insecurities,” Sheeran shared. He sees this album as symbolic of entering a new phase of life where he’s learning more about himself.
Battles with Anxiety and Fatherhood
One of the most revealing songs is “Visiting Hours,” which Ed Sheeran wrote for his friend Michael who passed away from cancer. In the emotional lyrics, Sheeran expresses his regret that he didn’t visit Michael in the hospital in his final days due to intense anxiety. The singer has spoken openly about suffering from anxiety and said writing this song was cathartic.
Other songs like “Sandman” address Sheeran’s new role as a father and show the fears and insecurities that came with it. Through his music, Sheeran can process big life changes and emotions in a creative, meaningful way.
Seeking Balance and Self-Acceptance
A long-running theme in “=” is Sheeran’s search for balance and self-acceptance. Having dealt with fame and success at a very young age, he talks about the pressures he’s felt to always be “on” as a performer and constantly creating new music. In the ballad “Visiting Hours,” he sings about wanting some quiet time to be normal. Other songs address not living up to unrealistic standards and learning to be happy with who he is.
For Ed Sheeran, this album marks a shift to prioritizing his mental health and family over work obligations. He seems more at peace embracing both his gifts and imperfections.
Overall, “=” gives listeners an intimate look at Sheeran’s journey over the past few years. By baring his soul through his songwriting, he’s created another deeply resonant body of work that will likely resonate strongly with fans. While fame and fortune don’t solve life’s biggest challenges, Sheeran’s willingness to be vulnerable sets an example of coping with issues through creativity and emotional honesty.
His new album proves once again why his artistry has touched so many worldwide.
Revisiting Old Relationships
One experience Ed Sheeran revisits on the album is his teenage relationship with his high school sweetheart, Cherry Seaborn. Songs like “The Joker and the Queen” and “First Times” look back fondly on their young love.
Sheeran has said writing about Cherry helped him gain closure on that chapter of his life as they’re now married with a daughter. Revisiting old relationships through music was part of his journey of fully embracing where he’s at now.
Facing Criticism and Perfectionism
In an unusually transparent track called “Stop Trippin’,” Ed Sheeran addresses negative comments people have made about his music and image over the years. He sings about brushing off critics who say he’s fallen off or sold out. For an artist so acclaimed, facing criticism wasn’t easy but helped Sheeran overcome perfectionist tendencies. Writing this song was part of his efforts to be comfier in his skin.
Learning to Slow Down
On “2step,” Ed Sheeran reflects on experiences that taught him it’s important to take breaks and not burn out. Between touring schedules and recording, he had to learn his limits the hard way. The song acknowledges those who helped encourage him to slow down for the sake of his mental health. For Sheeran, hitting pause is now part of maintaining longevity in the unpredictable music industry.
Celebrating Happy Times
Lighter, celebratory songs like “Shivers,” “Overpass Graffiti” and “Be Right Now” capture the simple joys of being in love and making great memories with friends. They offer an upbeat perspective on finding happiness in small moments. Sheeran said writing upbeat songs was intentional to balance out heavier, more introspective material on the album.
Exploring New Sounds
While still very much a singer-songwriter album, “=” finds Ed Sheeran experimenting with different textures like afro-beat rhythms on “Shivers” and dance-pop elements on “Overpass Graffiti.” He challenged himself to push the boundaries of his familiar folk-pop style. Sheeran grew as an artist by stepping outside his comfort zone musically to keep his catalog fresh.
Overall Redemption and Resolve
The cathartic album closer to “A-Team” brings listeners full circle by showing how far Ed Sheeran has come on his journey of self-discovery. No longer the same person as his early hit, he sings about gaining perspective and coming to terms with his past. The song provides redemption and resolution and signals Sheeran’s resolve to keep growing as an artist and person.
Conclusion:
In the end, “=” is arguably Ed Sheeran most personal body of work yet. Through raw lyricism and emotional instrumentation, he invites listeners deeper into his experience over the past few years. A period of challenges with mental health, fatherhood, and the difficulties of fame have inspired Sheeran to new creative heights. While growth is never easy, putting vulnerabilities to paper seems to have provided therapy and self-acceptance. With “=”, Ed Sheeran seems stronger and more resolute than ever in his artistry and life journey ahead.
Fans can find comfort and catharsis in his honesty, and watch with care as this iconic musician continually remakes and improves himself through his music.
