Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You': Making 2017’s Biggest Track | Diary of a Song

Summary

The transcript details the creative process behind Ed Sheeran's hit 'Shape of You,' highlighting the spontaneous and organic nature of songwriting. It reveals how a simple guitar riff evolved into the song's backbone, with Sheeran's impatience leading to immediate layering of sounds. The narrative also touches on the importance of keeping the song's structure simple to allow for live performance replication and the strategic addition of elements like the mellotron for color. The songwriter's initial reluctance to objectify in lyrics and the song's transformation from a potential duet to a solo hit underscore the dynamic and iterative nature of music creation.

Takeaways

• 🎶 The song 'Shape of You' was not initially intended to be a hit single but evolved organically during the songwriting process.
• 🎹 Ed Sheeran started playing a guitar riff as soon as they met, which became the foundation of the song.
• 🚀 The creation of 'Shape of You' was quick, with the basic structure established within the first 15 minutes of meeting.
• 🎧 Sheeran's impatience led to him creating guitar parts while waiting for the drum sound to be set up.
• 🎤 The song's rhythm was intentionally kept simple to allow for Ed's vocal performance to stand out.
• 🤔 Sheeran prefers to keep his music acoustic and straightforward for live performances, which influenced the song's arrangement.
• 🎵 The idea to include an interpolation of 'No Scrubs' came up during the writing session to give it an R&B feel.
• 📝 The lyrics were carefully crafted to avoid objectification, with the phrase 'in love with the shape of you' being a deliberate choice.
• 🔄 The song's structure is minimalistic, with variations in light and shade to keep the listener engaged.
• 🎼 Additional elements like the mellotron, bass drum, and rim shots were added to give the song more depth and movement.
• 🏆 Despite initial thoughts of giving the song away, it became one of Ed Sheeran's biggest hits, proving the importance of following instincts in music creation.

Q & A

What was the initial intention of the songwriting session with Ed Sheeran?

The initial intention was to write a song, not specifically for Ed Sheeran, but just to create a song during the session.

How did Ed Sheeran start the songwriting process on the first day?

Ed Sheeran started by walking over to a keyboard and playing, which was considered a good start by the narrator.

What was the first sound that was found and used in the song?

The first sound used was a log drum, which the narrator found and felt like a world sound.

Why did Ed Sheeran start playing the guitar during the session?

Ed Sheeran started playing the guitar because he was impatient and couldn't wait for the narrator to set up the drum sound.

How did the songwriting process evolve in the first 15 minutes of meeting Ed Sheeran?

In the first 15 minutes, Ed Sheeran started layering sounds over the top of the initial guitar playing, and they quickly got into the flow of creating the song.

What was the approach to the rhythm of the song?

The approach was to go with the flow of the rhythm, which went against the norm, and Ed Sheeran almost became the percussion of the song.

Why was the song kept more strict in terms of structure?

The song was kept more strict because Ed Sheeran is primarily an acoustic artist and needs to be able to replicate the song live without additional musicians.

What was the strategy to keep Johnny, Ed Sheeran's main collaborator, engaged during the songwriting process?

To keep Johnny engaged, Ed Sheeran would have a suitcase full of Lego for him to build while Ed worked on the track.

What was the inspiration behind the interpolation of 'No Scrubs' in the song?

The inspiration was to give the song an R&B type feel, and the idea of interpolating 'No Scrubs' was considered cool by Ed Sheeran.

How did the line 'my bedsheet smell like you' come about?

The line came about during the writing process, with Ed Sheeran suggesting it should be 'my bedsheets' instead of 'my t-shirt' as initially discussed.

What was the original title of the song before it became 'Shape of You'?

The original version did not have the title 'Shape of You'; it only mentioned it in the beginning with 'in my bed sheet smell like you.'

How was the song structured in terms of loops and instrumentation?

The song was structured with one loop throughout, which was monotonous, and additional elements like vocals, guitars, mellotron, bass drum, and rim shots were added to create light and shade.

What was the final moment of the song like, and how did it contribute to the overall feel?

The final moment of the song was about tension and release, with subtle changes happening underneath that gave a feeling of movement and prevented the listener from getting bored.

What other songs were written on the same day as 'Shape of You'?

On the same day, they also wrote a song with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and another song after that, making it a productive day with multiple song creations.

What was the initial reaction to the song within Ed Sheeran's record label?

The initial reaction was one of surprise and questioning why Ed would want to give the song away, as it was considered potentially significant.

What was Ed Sheeran's attitude towards following trends in pop music?

Ed Sheeran had always tried not to follow trends, but with 'Shape of You', he admitted he was wrong and it became one of the biggest songs of his career.

Outlines

00:00

🎶 Songwriting Process with Ed Sheeran

The first paragraph describes the songwriting session with Ed Sheeran, where the writer explains that the song wasn't initially intended to be a hit, but it evolved quickly. Ed Sheeran's impatient nature led to him playing the guitar pattern that became the foundation of the song. The writer appreciated this as it set a good starting point. They used a loop of this guitar pattern and began layering other elements. The writer also mentions his preference for keeping the rhythm strict due to his acoustic artist background and the need to be able to replicate the song live without additional musicians. The session was productive, with the writer and Ed Sheeran working well together, using creative methods like playing with Lego to maintain focus. The writer also discusses the evolution of the song's lyrics, including the decision to interpolate 'No Scrubs' and the change from 't-shirt' to 'bedsheets' for the scent reference, which was a last-minute idea from Ed Sheeran. The paragraph ends with the writer reflecting on the song's simplicity and how it was just one loop throughout.

05:20

🎧 Crafting 'Shape of You' and Its Evolution

The second paragraph delves into the production details of 'Shape of You,' highlighting the minimalist approach that kept the song from becoming monotonous. The writer discusses the importance of introducing new elements at the right time to maintain interest, such as the mellotron for color, a bass drum for weight, and a rim shot for movement. The song's structure was carefully crafted to build and drop tension, creating a feeling of constant motion. The writer also shares an anecdote about writing multiple songs in one day, including a potential duet with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and the initial consideration of giving 'Shape of You' to another artist. However, after playing it to his record label head, it was decided to keep the song. The writer reflects on the songwriting process, emphasizing the joy of writing over following trends, and acknowledges that sometimes breaking this rule can lead to significant success, as was the case with 'Shape of You.'

Keywords

💡Mind sick

The term 'mind sick' is used to describe a state of being overwhelmed or consumed by thoughts or emotions. In the context of the video, it suggests that the songwriting process was not intended to be overly complex or mentally taxing but rather to capture a moment or feeling. An example from the script is when the speaker says, 'I didn't make the song to be mind sick it already said everything,' indicating that the song was meant to convey a clear message without overcomplicating it.

💡Session

A 'session' in music production refers to a period of time dedicated to creating or recording music. The video's narrative revolves around the creative process during such a session, as indicated by the phrase, 'if we went into the session write a song for Ed Sheeran.' This keyword is central to understanding the video's theme of songwriting and collaboration.

💡Layering

Layering in music production involves stacking multiple tracks or sounds to create a richer, more complex sound. The script mentions, 'he just starts layering over the top,' which illustrates the process of building a song's arrangement during the session, adding depth to the music by combining different elements.

💡Percussion

Percussion refers to the family of musical instruments played by striking, shaking, or scraping, such as drums and cymbals. In the script, the speaker notes that Ed Sheeran's guitar playing serves as a form of percussion, 'he's almost the percussion with it,' highlighting the role of rhythm in the songwriting process and how it can be created from various sources.

💡Acoustic

Acoustic music is characterized by the use of instruments that produce sound through natural vibration, without the use of electrical amplification. The video's theme includes a focus on acoustic elements, as the speaker states, 'I'm an acoustic artist first and foremost,' emphasizing the importance of creating music that can be replicated live without electronic enhancements.

💡Interpolation

In music, interpolation refers to the use of a portion of a previously recorded song within a new song. The script mentions an intention to interpolate 'No Scrubs' into the song, 'wouldn't it be cool if, like we put like an interpolation and no scrubs in it,' showing how artists can draw inspiration from existing works to create something new.

💡R&B

Rhythm and Blues (R&B) is a genre of music that originated in African American communities and is characterized by a strong rhythmic foundation and bluesy melodies. The video's script references an intention to create an 'R&B type feel,' indicating the influence of this genre on the song's style and the creative direction the artists were pursuing.

💡Mellotron

A Mellotron is an electronic keyboard instrument that plays back pre-recorded tapes of instrument sounds when its keys are pressed. The script mentions adding a Mellotron to 'add a little color,' which demonstrates the use of unique instruments to enhance the texture and character of a song.

💡Lego

Lego is a brand of plastic construction toys that can be assembled in various ways. In the video, Lego serves as a creative tool to keep someone engaged, 'a suitcase full of Lego,' illustrating a practical approach to maintaining focus and creativity during the songwriting process.

💡Duet

A duet is a musical composition intended to be performed by two singers or musicians. The script discusses the consideration of making the song a duet, 'it might be a duet,' which would involve dividing the song between two performers, adding another layer of complexity and collaboration to the songwriting process.

💡Tension and Release

In music, tension and release refer to the emotional and structural build-up and resolution of musical ideas. The script describes a moment in the song where 'tension release tension release' occurs, indicating the deliberate use of these techniques to create a dynamic and engaging listening experience.

Highlights

The songwriting process was not initially intended to be mind sick but evolved organically.

The first interaction with Ed Sheeran involved him immediately playing a keyboard.

Ed Sheeran's impatience led to him creating guitar loops while waiting for drum sounds to be set up.

The song 'Shape of You' was created in just 15 minutes of meeting Ed Sheeran.

Ed Sheeran's guitar playing was the foundation of the song's rhythm.

The decision to keep the song's structure more strict was influenced by Ed's acoustic artist background.

The song's percussion was largely created by Ed Sheeran's guitar playing.

The songwriting session included using Lego to keep Ed Sheeran engaged.

The song was initially inspired by an R&B feel and included an interpolation of 'No Scrubs'.

The original lyrics were about 't-shirt smells like you' but were changed to 'bedsheets'.

The final version of 'Shape of You' does not explicitly say 'I'm in love' until the chorus.

The song's structure is minimalistic, with the aim to surprise listeners with new elements.

A mellotron was added to the song to give it a little color.

The song's beat is designed to feel like it's always moving to avoid listener boredom.

The song builds tension and releases it throughout to keep the listener engaged.

The songwriting session that day also produced a song with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

The song was initially considered for a duet but was later decided against by Ed Sheeran.

Ed Sheeran's label head questioned giving the song away, suggesting it could be a hit.

The songwriting process is described as not rocket science but more complicated.

The song 'Shape of You' became one of the biggest songs of Ed Sheeran's career.

Transcripts

to be honest I know what we're doing now

is like looking into it but none of us

thought that I didn't make the song to

be mind sick it already said everything

you wanted to say for that moment on his

record we went in there just to write a

song if we went into the session write a

song for Ed Sheeran I don't think we'd

ever love for somebody like me come on

now follow my lead come come now for

Molly it was the first day I'd ever been

him asleep the first literally the first

thing he did was he walked over to a

keyboard and played and then I was kind

of like well we ass that's a good start

log drum that we use there's the first

sound that I found I just felt like a

world sound ed started doing that thing

on the guitar that he does and I liked

it I honestly believe it's because Edie

is so impatient that he can't wait for

me to get a drum sound up so he goes out

and he says look I just do on the guitar

so he was doing that in the studio and

Steve said can we get that on the loop

straightaway he goes give me a give me a

clean track and he just starts layering

over the top this is 15 minutes into

meeting him you know and we were away

we're off

[Music]

easiest thing with this this key would

be to go with it the lot of the rhythm

it goes completely against that he's

almost the percussion with it so Bob

isn't the best place to find the lovers

of the bar

and that keeps the Pacer I'm always a

fan of keeping it more strict because

I'm I'm I'm an acoustic artist first and

foremost and when I play live I can't

replicate all these things I haven't got

any other musicians so you don't need

anything else because that's the

percussion that's ed ed is the

instrument story begin we're going now

[Music]

play Johnny's like my main guy that I

work with me and him together on our own

are probably written to 300 songs his

attention span could be fairly low one

of the things I did to try and keep him

in the room while I would be working on

a track I but have like a suitcase full

of Lego I pull into the hotel room and

say there you go you build that and it

was great because he would sit and build

the Lego and kind of get lost in that

world for a second and come up with this

this moment that was everything

[Music]

because as we were writing it I kind of

knew I wanted it to be like a really

sort of R&B type feel

and I was like wouldn't it be cool if

like we put like an interpolation and no

scrubs in it so the bit that won't go

you know I'm sure love originally was

ill you know I won't show other there

were some moments that I find on on the

the shape of you tapes which which were

really interesting so that's that's a

perfect example of how you add it starts

off as a just a noise and then you hear

that moment where he discovers it should

be come on he's inviting this person and

he has in his mind this is how I want

the song to sound this is what I want to

talk about originally I think we were

talking about it maybe being on my

t-shirt smells like you and he's like no

no it's got to be my bedsheets it's bad

sheep smell of you and I remember

thinking oh god no not bad sheets on the

original version it doesn't actually say

I'm in love with the shape of you it

only says that at the beginning bit in

my bed sheet smell like you

so it's like a weird thing in that us

pretty

[Music]

I'm in love with your body on on its own

felt objectifying to me yeah he's got

he's got a really warm heart do you like

do you not like I'm in love I do it's

just I just always know where I come

from there's this phrase they say look

at the shape you and that means you know

look at the way you've showed up yeah

this song is just one loop the whole way

through it's a very monotonous thing so

when you've got that for the whole song

the only thing you can do a light light

and shade bits so once you've heard the

first 10 seconds there's no more

learning to be done when it comes to the

hook then everything else is a surprise

it's so minimal that every time

something new does come in its lay it up

small vocals some of these guitars one

of the things that we added was the

mellotron it just added a little color

to it for me

just a little bass drum just to give it

some weight we've got a little 16 clap

going then we added a little rim and

there's kind of the only thing that's so

slightly off the beat you know so it's

feels like it's moving it's moving on

all the time you're not getting bored

every time you start getting bored of it

something new comes in or something

drops out it kind of builds and builds

and bills and then drops and bills and

bills bills and their drops and then at

the end it has a moment which are quite

like you don't really notice it

happening but it's happening underneath

and you just get this feeling of tension

release tension release we moved on to

another soul we've actually got a cut

with them Faith Hill in Tim McGraw that

we wrote the same day and then we did

another one after that we were a bunch

that day

oh the lien payment as well and that was

when at the end of the third song he

said go back and can you play me the

first tune again we thought it might be

a duet and the duet would be that the

girl sings one person that the guy sings

another verse when I was like this

sounds like rudimental should do it with

Rihanna he said I don't think this is

for me

I was off to the studio where my record

label head was I played it and then he

was just kind of looking at me like why

are you wanting you to give this away

I don't really know what what what it

means to choose a hip I just like

writing songs it's not rocket science

you know it's much much more complicated

kind of the best hour and a half of my

life to follow a trend is is a common

thing in pop and it's something that

I've always tried to not do but I was

wrong this time man it's one of the

biggest songs of my career

we discovered some

with the shape of you