It’s the song that refuses to die. You’ve heard it at your cousin’s wedding. You’ve heard it in the grocery store aisle while debating which brand of oats to buy. Honestly, Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran has become such a permanent fixture of our sonic landscape that it’s easy to forget just how massive of a gamble it actually was back in 2014.
At the time, Ed was the "A-Team" guy. He was the loop-pedal ginger kid from Suffolk who rapped a bit and played acoustic guitar. Then he dropped this soul-drenched, blue-eyed ballad that sounded more like Marvin Gaye than a modern pop hit. It worked. Oh boy, did it work. It became the first song ever to hit 500 million streams on Spotify and eventually crossed the diamond certification threshold. But the story behind Thinking Out Loud isn't just about sales figures or streaming records. It’s a messy, fascinating look at how a simple love song can change the music industry—and land its creator in some very hot legal water.
The Amy Wadge Connection and a Late-Night Kitchen Session
Most people think these massive hits come out of high-tech studios with twenty writers in the room. That wasn't the case here. Ed wrote Thinking Out Loud with his long-time friend Amy Wadge. They were basically just hanging out. Amy was going through some financial struggles at the time—she was actually worried about her mortgage—and Ed wanted to help her out.
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They were in his kitchen. Ed had just gotten out of the shower. Amy started strumming a few chords on a guitar, and Ed supposedly said, "What's that?" Within twenty minutes, the bones of the song were there. It was visceral. It was quick. Usually, the best songs are the ones that fall out of the sky like that. They didn't overthink it. They just let the lyrics breathe. They talked about lasting love—the kind that hangs around until you're seventy. It’s a bit ironic considering how much of modern pop is about "the club" or a fleeting "one-night stand," right?
Why the Music Video Changed Everything
Let's talk about that video. You know the one. Ed in a waistcoat, doing contemporary dance in a ballroom. It was a huge risk. Before this, Ed wasn't really a "performer" in the traditional sense; he was a musician. He spent five hours a day for three weeks training with Nappytabs (the choreographers from So You Think You Can Dance) while he was on tour.
- He did it while he was exhausted.
- He didn't use a stunt double.
- The raw, slightly unpolished nature of his dancing is exactly why it went viral.
It felt human. It didn't feel like a polished Justin Timberlake routine. It felt like a guy trying really hard to impress someone he loved. That relatability is the secret sauce. When we see a superstar doing something difficult and slightly outside their comfort zone, we connect. We lean in. The video currently has billions of views, and it practically invented the "wedding dance inspiration" genre of YouTube videos.
The Marvin Gaye Lawsuit: A Fight for Creative Freedom
You can’t talk about Thinking Out Loud without mentioning the massive legal shadow that hung over it for years. The heirs of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On," sued Sheeran for copyright infringement. They claimed the "heartbeat" drum pattern and the 1-3-4-5 chord progression were stolen.
This wasn't just some boring legal tiff. It was a fight for the soul of songwriting. If Sheeran had lost, it would have set a terrifying precedent. Basically, any song with a common chord progression could have been sued.
During the trial in 2023, Ed actually brought his guitar into the witness box. He played a "mashup" of his song and other classics to prove that these chords belong to everyone. He was visibly frustrated. He even threatened to quit music if he lost. Thankfully, the jury sided with him, agreeing that the building blocks of music—the "alphabet" of chords—can't be owned by one person. It was a massive win for songwriters everywhere who were tired of being shook down for using basic musical structures.
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The Technical Brilliance You Might Have Missed
Musically, the song is actually quite clever. It sits in the key of D major. The tempo is a relaxed 79 beats per minute, which is almost exactly the resting heart rate of a human. Subconsciously, that makes the listener feel calm. It feels like home.
The production is sparse. There’s a lot of "air" in the track. You can hear the slap of the guitar strings. You can hear the slight rasp in Ed's voice when he hits the higher notes in the bridge. That lack of over-processing is rare in an era of Auto-Tune and heavy compression. It’s a "dry" mix, meaning there isn't a ton of reverb or echo, which makes it feel like Ed is standing right in front of you.
Legacy and the "Wedding Song" Curse
Is it possible for a song to be too successful? Maybe. Thinking Out Loud is now the quintessential wedding song. For some, that makes it a timeless classic. For others, it makes it "overplayed" or "cheesy."
But look at the staying power. Ten years later, it still charts. It still gets radio play. It’s one of those rare tracks that bridged the gap between the older generation who loved Van Morrison and the younger kids who grew up on Tumblr. It’s a bridge. It’s a rare moment of monoculture in a fragmented world.
How to Apply the Lessons of "Thinking Out Loud" to Your Own Creativity
Whether you are a musician, a writer, or a creator, there are specific things we can learn from how this song was built and managed. It wasn't just luck.
1. Lean into the "Simplicity" Trap
Don't be afraid of being "too simple." Ed almost didn't include this on the X album because he thought it might be too slow or too traditional. If you have an idea that feels "basic" but honest, follow it. Authenticity usually beats complexity every single day.
2. Physicality Matters
The music video succeeded because Ed put in the physical work. If you're launching a project, ask yourself: "What is the 'ballroom dance' version of this?" What is the unexpected, high-effort thing you can do to show you're fully invested?
3. Stand Your Ground on Intellectual Property
If you create something and someone challenges your right to the "building blocks" of your craft, look at the Sheeran trial. Understand the difference between an "expression" (your specific melody) and an "idea" (a common chord progression). Don't let copyright bullies stifle your output.
4. Focus on the "Evergreen"
Trends die. Love, aging, and companionship don't. While other artists in 2014 were chasing EDM drops, Ed wrote about getting old. Write for the "70-year-old version" of your audience, and your work will likely live a lot longer than the latest TikTok sound bite.
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5. Study the Greats (Openly)
Ed never hid his love for Marvin Gaye or Van Morrison. He wore his influences on his sleeve. Instead of trying to be "entirely original"—which is impossible—try to be an honest synthesis of everything you love. That’s where the magic actually happens.
To truly understand the impact, go back and listen to the live version from the 2015 Grammys. There’s a moment where the crowd realizes exactly what they’re witnessing. It’s not just a pop star; it’s a craftsman at the top of his game. Even if you've heard it a thousand times, try to listen to the guitar part specifically. Listen to the way it swings. That’s the sound of a song that changed the rules of the game.