# Ed Sheeran **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** music\ **Created:** [May 21, 2026, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277 "2026-05-21T12:34:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/21 "2026-05-21T17:45:07Z")
“Thinking out loud” is the song I’ve never been able to get away from. I know I’ve heard many of his songs without ever learning the title. Some of his videos on YouTube have over 6 _billion_ views. He’s pretty popular. > [@solost](#): > > > [@Disinfectus](#): > > > > I’ve nothing against Ed’s music, but that’s a pretty silly claim. > > Maybe, but the one clip of him on the talk show with the host calling out a few different songs and Sheeran playing them in those 4 chords, and pulling it off, was impressive and fun. As much for his sheer encyclopedic knowledge of being able to play the songs on demand, as playing them in the 4 chords. I’d watch an hour of people trying to stump him on songs and seeing what he came up with. The four chord thing is pretty commonly talked about. This is from 16 years ago: [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5pidokakU4I/hqdefault.jpg "Axis of Awesome - 4 Four Chord Song (with song titles)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/22 "2026-05-21T17:59:40Z")
This is from 19 years ago, and has a similar theme [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JdxkVQy7QLM/hqdefault.jpg "Pachelbel Rant") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdxkVQy7QLM) ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/23 "2026-05-21T18:03:21Z")
> [@Loach](#): > > The four chord thing is pretty commonly talked about. This is from 16 years ago: Here’s the thing though - There are thousands of songs that use those chords that Ed mentions, so if I randomly ask you to choose a song, there is a good chance that you’ll pick one of those. But the claim was that “all pop songs” can be played using those 4 chords, which is not remotely true. Sure, I can pick out 200 songs that use those chords, play them for you, and say, “see, all songs use the same chords”, which might seem convincing, but isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Munch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/munch/32/5281_2.png) [@Munch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Munch)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/24 "2026-05-21T18:07:00Z")
Isn’t there a thread that explains hyperbole that y’all could be in right now? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/25 "2026-05-21T18:08:36Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > This is from 19 years ago, and has a similar theme That was genius and I’ve watched that video probably dozens of times over the past couple of decades, and I’m reminded of it now and then. But I think the point of that video isn’t that literally all songs are the same, it’s just that so many of them are thinly-veiled imitations, far too many. Which I think is reinforcing what @Disinfectus is saying. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/26 "2026-05-21T18:12:55Z")
> [@Munch](#): > > Isn’t there a thread that explains hyperbole that y’all could be in right now? Sorry, I didn’t realize that pointing out a false claim was frowned upon on a board dedicated to fighting ignorance. I guess I was just supposed to say, “Ed Sheeran is awesome!” ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/27 "2026-05-21T18:16:33Z")
Ed Sheeran still has the largest single concert at Gillette Stadium, with more than 71,000 in a stadium that mostly seats under 69,000 (presumably this is a configuration outcome, as I have no doubt Taylor Swift and others could have done the same). And he’s coming back this summer to Gillette! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/28 "2026-05-21T18:24:35Z")
> [@puzzlegal](#): > > This is from 19 years ago, and has a similar theme > [@Atamasama](#): > > That was genius and I’ve watched that video probably dozens of times over the past couple of decades, and I’m reminded of it now and then. That was great. > [@Disinfectus](#): > > > [@Munch](#): > > > > Isn’t there a thread that explains hyperbole that y’all could be in right now? > > Sorry, I didn’t realize that pointing out a false claim was frowned upon on a board dedicated to fighting ignorance. Well, I don’t know if I’d characterize it as a ‘false claim’ so much as an ‘exaggeration to make a point’ but ok, strictly speaking no, not every pop song ever written is going to qualify. And it really only works with the verses of most pop songs-- if there’s a bridge in there, or even a chorus that changes things up a little, Ed would be SOL. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/29 "2026-05-21T19:47:02Z")
I read it as hyperbole, not as a literal claim that every single song was the same. ---
**Author:** ![iamatractorboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iamatractorboy/32/21261_2.png) [@iamatractorboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamatractorboy)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/30 "2026-05-21T19:56:20Z")
Seems like a nice chap and I have absolutely nothing against him, but I just find his music a little bland. Doesn’t get my pulse racing, although certainly doesn’t offend my ears like it apparently does for a lot of people who don’t like him. That being said it is quite cool and a bit surreal to have this global superstar be associated with my hometown. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/31 "2026-05-21T19:59:45Z")
The only reason I know anything about him was _Yesterday_. For all I knew, he could have been an actor playing a part, as opposed to an actual popular musician. I’ve managed to never hear any of his music, but not out of any animosity. Just never have. ---
**Author:** ![Jaycat.again](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jaycat.again/32/11525_2.png) [@Jaycat.again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaycat.again)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/32 "2026-05-21T21:16:25Z")
> [@solost](#): > > C Major, F Major, G Major and E Minor, A minor seems a likelier choice than E minor. C, Am, F, G takes in about every doo-wop song ever, for starters. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/33 "2026-05-21T21:35:15Z")
I saw him live in 2013 when he was opening for Taylor Swift on the Red tour. He plays solo acoustic with a loop pedal and will set up his own rhythm section by slapping the guitar to make a drumbeat and so on. Very impressive. Here’s an example from early in his career; [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/DV0TJZ7Kp40/maxresdefault.jpg "Ed Sheeran - You Need Me, I Don't Need You | LIVE") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DV0TJZ7Kp40) ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/34 "2026-05-21T21:48:05Z")
Very Ginger. Was on Game of Thrones You have now exhausted my knowledge of Ed Sheeran. About whom i would say the kids are into but they are probably all well into adulthood (or approaching middle age) now 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mollie\_Magill](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mollie_magill/32/20882_2.png) [@Mollie\_Magill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mollie_Magill)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/35 "2026-05-21T22:03:12Z")
> [@XOldiesJock](#): > > He’s done well for a guy who looks like a cross between Opie Taylor and a Hobbit. He looks like a leprechaun. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/36 "2026-05-21T22:43:20Z")
Am I the only one who first learned of him from the Hobbit movies? [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/2fngvQS_PmQ/maxresdefault.jpg "Ed Sheeran - I See Fire (Music Video)") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fngvQS_PmQ) Yes, I know we have many fans who have _strong_ feelings about those movies, and I have more than a few complaints, but this particular song wasn’t one of them. Sure, it’s a bit of a sappy ballad, but I enjoy it. ---
**Author:** ![Disinfectus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/disinfectus/32/11085_2.png) [@Disinfectus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Disinfectus)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2026, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/37 "2026-05-21T23:13:08Z")
> [@Jaycat.again](#): > > C, Am, F, G takes in about every doo-wop song ever, for starters. Absolutely. The vi chord is far more common than a iii chord. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/38 "2026-05-22T00:55:26Z")
Similarly he set a record attendance at the Levi’s Stadium concert I attended. The key is that it was a 360° stage, so every seat could be filled, and also there was a large standing general admission area. ---
**Author:** ![scabpicker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scabpicker/32/8268_2.png) [@scabpicker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scabpicker)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/39 "2026-05-22T06:55:28Z")
> [@iamatractorboy](#): > > Seems like a nice chap and I have absolutely nothing against him, but I just find his music a little bland. Yeah, he works in a style that I mentally categorize as “tater tot casserole”. Lots of people like to eat tater to casserole, and look forward to it. I would only eat that bland glop if my life depended on it. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2026, 8:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277/40 "2026-05-22T08:02:19Z")
> [@Mollie\_Magill](#): > > > [@XOldiesJock](#): > > > > He’s done well for a guy who looks like a cross between Opie Taylor and a Hobbit. > > He looks like a leprechaun. To me he looks like a Cabbage Patch doll. Which has unfairly coloured my perception of his music, which for all I know is spectacular. I don’t really listen to contemporary music, though, so even though I’m sure I have heard his stuff, I have no idea who sings what anymore. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ed-sheeran/1030277.md?page=3)