Ed Sheeran’s 10 Songs That Shaped & Defined Me

To celebrate Australia’s favourite ginger (sorry Prince Harry) announcing another national tour for the end of the year, Ed Sheeran has put together a playlist of ten tracks that helped make him the superstar musician he is today.

Talking exclusively to Music Feeds, Ed gave us the low-down of why these songs are so important to him including which guitar legend made him want to pluck some strings of his own, the unusual way he got his hands on Eminem’s ‘Marshall Mathers LP’ and how Aussie newcomer Jarryd James has grabbed his attention.

1. Damien Rice – Cannonball

Without a doubt, seeing Damien Rice perform when I was 11 changed my life forever. After seeing him play this small club in Ireland, I was able to meet him and he was unbelievably cool. I went straight home and starting writing songs. I would not be doing what I’m doing now if he’d been a jerk.

2. Eric Clapton – Layla

It sounds a bit cliché, but Eric Clapton made me want to play guitar. I saw him perform Layla at the Queen’s Jubilee on TV when I was about the same age (11), and said, “I want to do that.” Of course, no one plays like Clapton, least of all me.

3. Van Morrison and The Chieftans – Irish Heartbeat

I’m a big Van Morrison fan. My parents used to play this particular album on our road trips when I was a kid so it really takes me back. This is the title track. The album was a collaboration with The Cheiftains and I just think the entire thing is incredible.

Watch: Ed Sheeran’s Special Message About Aus/NZ Tour

4. Eminem – Stan

Believe it or not, my dad was the one who bought me the Marshall Mathers LP. I think he read an article that compared Emimem to Bob Dylan, and he loved Bob Dylan so he figured it had to be good. He wasn’t wrong. He’s still my favorite rapper of all time.

5. Jarryd James – Do You Remember

I heard this whilst in an Australian radio station last week and instantly had to find out who it was. Ends up he’s a young lad from Brisbane and this is his debut single. I just love the sound.

6. The Game – Ricky

The Game is one rapper that I constantly look up to. He has so much passion and feeling in this particular song. You know everything he does is the truth.

Gallery: Ed Sheeran @ Riverstage, Brisbane 20/03/13 / Photos by Rebecca Reid

7. Foy Vance – Guiding Light

I’ve been a huge fan of Foy since I was 14 or 15, and this was always one of my favourite songs of his. We’ve become friends since and when he set out to make his first album in years [2013’s Joy Of Nothing], he asked me to join him on the recording of Guiding Light. It’s one of my proudest moments.

8. Suzanne Sundfor – White Foxes

My friend Christina Perri bought me Suzanne Sundfor’s album The Silicon Veil. It’s simply ambient brilliance. I could sit for hours listening to it. I love when friends introduce me to something I’ve never heard of before.

9. Rory Gallagher – A Million Miles Away

This was the first song I learnt on guitar. The story goes that when Jimi Hendrix was asked how it felt to be the greatest guitarist in the world, he answered,”I don’t know. Go ask Rory Gallagher.”

10. Jamie Lawson – Wasn’t Expecting That

I’ve set up my first record label, it’s called Gingerbread Man Records and Jamie Lawson is my first signing. I wanted Australia to be the launch pad because Australia is a country that I feel would really really dig Jamie.

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Listen to the full playlist on Spotify here, tour dates and deets below!

Ed Sheeran 2015 Australian & New Zealand Tour Dates

Frontier Members pre-sale for Suncorp Stadium, AAMI Park, Allianz Stadium begins Monday 27th April.

Frontier Members pre-sale for nib Stadium, Mt Smart Stadium begins Tuesday 28th April.

General public tickets on sale Tuesday 5th May.

Saturday, 28th November

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, QLD (All Ages)

Tickets: Ticketek | Ph: 132 849

Wednesday, 2nd December

Nib Stadium, Perth, WA (All Ages)

Tickets: Ticketmaster | Ph: 136 100

Saturday, 5th December

AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC (All Ages)

Tickets: Ticketek | Ph: 132 849

Wednesday, 9th December

Allianz Stadium, Sydney, NSW (All Ages)

Tickets: Ticketek | Ph: 132 849

Saturday, 12th December

Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland, NZ (All Ages)

Tickets: Ticketmaster | Ph: 0800 111 999