Top 10 Ed Sheeran songs that prove he’s the king of heartfelt hits

When it comes to heartfelt songwriting, Ed Sheeran doesn’t just wear his heart on his sleeve, he turns it into lyrics, strums, and soul. Whether you're in love, heartbroken, reminiscing, or just sitting in your room staring at the ceiling (we've all been there), there’s probably an Ed Sheeran song that fits the moment perfectly.

With a guitar, a loop pedal, and what seems like an endless vault of emotions, Sheeran has built a career out of making people feel things. Big things. He’s got the uncanny ability to make you cry on a Tuesday night or smile at a memory you didn’t realize you missed. And that’s exactly why we’re here to celebrate the top 10 Ed Sheeran songs that prove this red-haired troubadour is the king of heartfelt hits.

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Why Ed Sheeran Rules the World of Emotionally-Charged Music

Let’s face it, anyone can write a song. But writing a song that actually makes someone feel like their own story is being told? That’s rare. Ed Sheeran doesn’t just sing about love, heartbreak, or nostalgia, he translates it. His music speaks directly to the moments we’ve all lived through: first kisses, last goodbyes, long car rides, rainy mornings, and late-night texts we wish we hadn’t sent.

Part of what makes his work so relatable is that he keeps it simple. No overproduced drama. Just raw lyrics, personal experiences, and melodies that feel like they’re hugging your brain.

So, which songs made the cut? Here's our countdown of Ed Sheeran’s most soul-stirring tracks, the ones that have cemented his spot on the throne of emotional songwriting.

Perfect

If fairytales had soundtracks, this would be track one. Sweet, slow, and utterly swoon-worthy, "Perfect" captures the kind of love that doesn’t try too hard, it just is.

Thinking Out Loud

It’s not just a song, it’s a lifelong promise wrapped in a melody. When Sheeran asks, “Will your mouth still remember the taste of my love?” you remember yours too.

Photograph

"Photograph" isn’t just about pictures; it’s about the memories we press between the pages of our lives. A comfort anthem for long-distance lovers and old souls alike.

Supermarket Flowers

Written from the perspective of his mother mourning her mother, this one hurts most quietly. It's soft, respectful, and quietly devastating like grief itself.

The A Team

Sheeran's breakout song dives into tough themes without glamorizing or simplifying them. It tells a story of struggle with surprising tenderness, earning him early acclaim.

Happier

Breakups sting. Especially when your ex is smiling with someone else. “Happier” doesn’t lash out, it just quietly aches in the corner of your chest for 3 minutes and 27 seconds.

Afire Love

Inspired by the loss of his grandfather to Alzheimer’s, this track blends pain and love into one powerful narrative. It’s one of his most personal and most powerful songs.

Dive

We’ve all been there: teetering on the edge of something real and wondering if it’s safe to jump. "Dive" is that moment, captured in a slow burn of honesty and vulnerability.

Castle on the Hill

This track feels like returning home. It’s a nostalgic road trip through Sheeran’s youth, muddy shoes, first loves, and the kind of memories that only grow sweeter with time.

Visiting Hours

A tribute to a friend gone too soon, this song hits you in waves. It's a quiet conversation with someone who isn’t there anymore, and it’s heartbreakingly relatable.

Ed Sheeran doesn’t just write love songs or sad songs, he writes our songs. The ones we play at weddings, in breakups, at reunions, or when we’re just missing someone. He has a way of making the personal universal and the ordinary feel profound.

And that’s why he’s earned his place as the king of heartfelt hits. He doesn’t need flashy production or dramatic stunts. All he needs is a guitar, a mic, and a feeling we’ve all had but couldn’t put into words until Ed did.

So whether you're falling in love, falling apart, or just in your feels on a random Tuesday, you can bet Ed’s already written the perfect song for it. And probably played it live with a loop pedal, barefoot, in a stadium.

Long live the king.