You might know Ed Sheeran’s voice, but his songwriting shows up in plenty of other artists’ music. From quiet love songs to huge dance hits, he has helped create tracks you may already sing along to.
Some songs below topped singles charts, while others became hits or appeared on successful albums. Discovering his role gives these familiar songs a whole new story.
1. Justin Bieber – Love Yourself
A quiet guitar can carry a surprisingly sharp message. Justin Bieber’s 2015 hit pairs a calm melody with words about walking away from a selfish partner.
Sheeran wrote it with Bieber and Benny Blanco, helping shape one of Bieber’s biggest songs.
It reached number one in both the United States and the United Kingdom. Listen for the contrast between the soft sound and blunt message: that balance makes the song memorable without a huge production.
2. One Direction – Little Things
Small details become the whole love story in this tender One Direction ballad. Written by Sheeran and Fiona Bevan, the song celebrates features and habits someone might feel shy about.
Its simple guitar backing leaves room for each member’s voice.
Released in 2012, it reached number one in the United Kingdom. Try listening with headphones to notice how the changing singers add warmth.
The message is easy to understand: affection does not demand being perfect.
3. Major Lazer Featuring Justin Bieber and MØ – Cold Water
Help arrives with a dance beat on this global summer hit. Major Lazer brought together Justin Bieber and MØ for a song about standing beside someone during difficult moments.
Sheeran shares writing credit with several collaborators, showing how pop songs often grow through teamwork.
The 2016 release topped the UK chart and reached number two in America. Beneath its electronic sounds, the melody feels direct and comforting.
Notice how the chorus turns reassurance into something uplifting.
4. Benny Blanco, Halsey and Khalid – Eastside
Teenage dreams meet grownup worries in this breezy collaboration. Benny Blanco’s debut single as a lead artist features Halsey and Khalid trading lines about young love and wanting a different future.
Sheeran helped write the song alongside Blanco and other contributors.
Released in 2018, it reached number one in Britain and the American top ten. Put it on during an evening walk and follow the story.
The relaxed beat hides feelings about freedom, pressure, and change.
5. Anne-Marie – 2002
Schoolday memories get a sunny pop makeover here. Anne-Marie and Sheeran helped write this nostalgic single, which looks back at young romance and borrows familiar phrases from earlier pop hits.
Those references make the chorus feel like a musical scrapbook.
The song reached number three in the United Kingdom after its 2018 release. See how many older songs you recognize while listening.
Its playful approach shows how shared memories can make a new track feel familiar.
6. Jessie Ware – Say You Love Me
Sometimes the hardest words are the ones you need to hear. Jessie Ware brings that feeling to this powerful ballad, written with Sheeran and other collaborators.
Her voice moves from quiet doubt toward a bigger, more urgent plea.
Released in 2014, the single reached the UK top twenty, rather than number one. Listen for the way the arrangement builds around her singing.
It offers an example of how a restrained opening can make emotion land harder.
7. Rita Ora – Your Song
A crush can change the entire soundtrack of your day. Rita Ora captures that happy rush in this bright 2017 single, written by Sheeran and Steve Mac.
The song swaps heartbreak for the excitement of finding someone who makes everything feel lighter.
It reached the UK top ten and topped Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. Add it to a feelgood playlist and notice its clean, catchy rhythm.
Ora’s playful delivery gives the simple romantic idea extra sparkle.
8. Little Mix Featuring Nicki Minaj – Woman Like Me
Confidence takes center stage in this punchy Little Mix single. Sheeran, Jess Glynne, and Steve Mac helped write the song, while Nicki Minaj adds a featured rap.
The result blends a bouncing rhythm with lyrics about being accepted without pretending to be someone else.
It reached number two on the official UK Singles Chart in 2018. Pay attention to the group’s vocal exchanges.
Their different tones make the message feel like friends backing each other up.
9. Taylor Swift Featuring Ed Sheeran – Everything Has Changed
One meeting can make an ordinary day feel completely different. Taylor Swift and Sheeran turn that spark into a gentle duet they wrote together for her Red album.
Unlike several entries here, Sheeran is clearly heard as well as credited behind the scenes.
The 2013 single reached the UK top ten. Listen to how their voices meet during the chorus rather than compete.
That easy blend supports the song’s hopeful mood and its story of new connection.
10. Westlife – Hello My Love
Returning after years away calls for a song with lift. Westlife chose this upbeat track for their 2019 comeback, with writing from Sheeran and longtime pop collaborator Steve Mac.
It keeps the group’s romantic spirit while adding a brighter, modern pulse.
The single reached number two in Ireland. Compare its beat with Westlife’s older ballads to hear the change.
Familiar harmonies anchor the fresh sound, making it a useful example of updating an established musical identity.
11. Liam Payne Featuring Quavo – Strip That Down
Leaving a famous boy band meant introducing a different sound. Liam Payne’s 2017 solo debut leans into a spare beat and a catchy hook, with Quavo supplying a rap verse.
Payne, Sheeran, and Steve Mac share songwriting credit alongside other credited contributors.
The track reached number three in Britain and number ten in America. Focus on the space between the sounds: the production avoids crowding the vocals.
That breathing room helps the rhythm and chorus stand out.
12. Zara Larsson – Don’t Let Me Be Yours
Attraction does not always come with good judgment. Zara Larsson explores that tension in this pop song, written with Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid.
Her clear voice gives the uneasy relationship story both strength and a touch of vulnerability.
Released as a single in 2017, it reached Sweden’s top forty, not number one. Pair it with Sheeran’s own relationship songs and compare their storytelling.
His writing can fit another singer without making the performances sound identical.
13. James Blunt – Make Me Better
Gratitude replaces grand drama in this affectionate James Blunt song. Written with Sheeran and Johnny McDaid, it centers on a partner whose love changes life for the better.
Blunt’s familiar voice makes the message feel personal rather than polished into a flashy pop statement.
The track appeared on The Afterlove, which reached number six in Britain in 2017. That is an album achievement, not a singles chart peak.
Choose this one when you want something heartfelt and reflective.
14. BTS – Permission to Dance
No special skills are needed to enjoy this cheerful anthem. BTS released the English language single in 2021, with Sheeran among its songwriters.
Its welcoming message and bright rhythm encourage listeners to move, relax, and share a happy moment.
The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Watch the choreography for gestures inspired by sign language, including happiness, dancing, and peace.
That detail adds meaning to a track built around connection and shared joy.
15. BTS – Make It Right
A softer side of BTS shines through this hopeful track. Sheeran helped write the song, which first appeared on Map of the Soul: Persona in 2019.
Smooth vocals and a steady groove support its message about making amends and finding a way back.
The original recording reached number ninety five on the Billboard Hot 100; its album topped the Billboard 200. An additional version features Lauv.
Compare both recordings to hear how a guest voice reshapes the mood.
16. The Weeknd Featuring Ed Sheeran – Dark Times
Forget sunny romance: this collaboration heads into troubled territory. The Weeknd and Sheeran share vocals on a bluesy track about personal struggles and difficult relationships.
Both have writing credits, alongside producer DaHeala, giving the song a different flavor from their brighter radio favorites.
It appeared on Beauty Behind the Madness, the chart topping 2015 album. The album’s success should not be confused with a number one single.
Listen for the rougher mood and contrast between their voices.
17. Tori Kelly Featuring Ed Sheeran – I Was Made for Loving You
Two expressive voices turn a simple promise into something intimate. Tori Kelly and Sheeran sing together on this acoustic leaning love song, which they wrote with additional collaborators.
Their gentle delivery gives the track a quieter feel than Kelly’s bigger vocal showcases.
It belongs to Unbreakable Smile, her 2015 debut album, which entered the Billboard 200 at number two. That ranking belongs to the album.
For a closer listen, follow the harmonies and the careful spaces between phrases.
18. Lewis Capaldi – Pointless
Everyday acts of kindness become a sweeping declaration of love. Lewis Capaldi wrote this piano ballad with Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid, then delivered it with his powerful voice.
The lyrics focus on how a partner gives ordinary moments a deeper purpose.
Released in 2022, it became Capaldi’s fourth UK number one in January 2023. Consider it for a romantic playlist, especially if you prefer sincere storytelling.
The gradual musical build makes the final chorus feel earned.