Ed Sheeran, one of the most successful and influential artists of his generation, has built a career around the power of song. His melodies are instantly recognizable, his lyrics deeply personal, and his ability to turn raw emotion into universal anthems has earned him a dedicated global following. In his new documentary, Songwriter, Sheeran offers fans and music lovers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the process that transforms a simple idea or feeling into a hit song.

The documentary takes viewers on an intimate journey through Sheeran’s songwriting process, unveiling the passion, inspiration, and vulnerability that underpin his work. With exclusive footage and candid interviews, Songwriter provides an unfiltered glimpse into the creative genius of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. In this article, we explore how the documentary sheds light on Sheeran’s humble beginnings, his approach to songwriting, the crucial role of collaboration, and how his personal life continuously influences his music.

Sheeran’s Humble Beginnings and Songwriting Approach

Before he became an international superstar, Ed Sheeran was just another struggling artist playing in small venues and performing on street corners. Hailing from Framlingham, Suffolk, Sheeran’s rise to fame was anything but traditional. Instead of following the mainstream route to stardom, he honed his craft through endless performances at local clubs, open mic nights, and small venues, building a loyal fanbase from the ground up.

Sheeran’s early experiences on the streets and in clubs taught him an important lesson about connection. “When you’re busking on the street, there’s no illusion. You’re just trying to connect with people,” he says in the documentary. “The idea of connecting with an audience became the heartbeat of everything I do now.”

This emphasis on connection lies at the core of his songwriting process. Unlike many artists who begin with a specific idea or concept for a song, Sheeran’s approach is driven by emotion. For him, the best songs come from genuine, personal experiences—whether it’s love, loss, friendship, or the simple joys of life. Songwriter offers a rare, unguarded look at how Sheeran transforms everyday moments into lyrical gold.

One of the key insights from the documentary is just how personal Sheeran’s music truly is. His songwriting is an emotional outpouring, often reflecting the ups and downs of his own life. “I don’t try to write songs that I think will be hits,” he explains. “I just write songs that are real to me.” The rawness and honesty that define his lyrics are an integral part of his appeal, and Songwriter allows audiences to see how this process unfolds in real-time.

Through exclusive footage, viewers witness Sheeran working through several songs, starting with just a few chords or lyrics and gradually building them into complete compositions. There’s no magic formula, no blueprint for success—just the hum of a guitar, the tapping of a piano, and the search for the right words. It’s a slow, meticulous process, one that requires patience, creativity, and vulnerability. Sheeran is shown singing rough drafts of melodies, experimenting with various sounds, and tweaking lyrics until the song feels “right.” In this sense, the documentary gives viewers a front-row seat to the true nature of songwriting: a constant, evolving journey of trial and error.

The Role of Collaboration

While Sheeran’s songwriting process may be deeply personal, Songwriter also highlights the importance of collaboration in his creative output. In an industry where many artists work in isolation, Sheeran is known for his willingness to collaborate with other musicians, producers, and songwriters, and the documentary offers a revealing look at the creative synergy that happens when different minds come together.

Over the years, Sheeran has worked with an impressive roster of artists across genres, including Justin Bieber, Eminem, The Weeknd, and Travis Scott. Songwriter dives into these collaborations, showing how the blending of different styles, sounds, and influences often leads to Sheeran’s biggest hits.

One of the documentary’s most illuminating segments shows Sheeran working with producer Steve Mac on the song “Shape of You,” which would go on to become one of the biggest tracks of his career. The two are seen experimenting with different melodies, rhythms, and lyrical ideas, each trying to push the song in new directions. There’s a palpable energy in the room as they build the track from the ground up, bouncing ideas off each other and finding creative solutions to challenges along the way.

What’s striking about these collaborative sessions is how open Sheeran is to input from others. In one particularly revealing moment, he’s shown listening intently to a demo track and reacting with genuine excitement when an idea clicks. It’s clear that Sheeran values the creative process as a communal effort, where everyone involved—whether it’s a co-writer, producer, or musician—brings something vital to the table.

The documentary also underscores the power of co-writing, a practice that has become a hallmark of Sheeran’s career. While some might view songwriting as a solitary endeavor, Sheeran embraces the magic that happens when multiple minds come together to craft a song. In Songwriter, he reflects on how co-writing allows him to explore new perspectives and ideas, ultimately enriching his music.

“I’ve never really looked at music as something that should be done alone,” he says in the film. “The more people you bring in, the more ideas you get. You end up with something greater than what you could have done by yourself.” This approach is not just limited to his work with big-name artists, but also extends to collaborations with lesser-known musicians, producers, and even his close friends.

The Impact of Personal Life on Music

A key theme of Songwriter is the way Sheeran’s personal life shapes his music. From his childhood in the quiet town of Framlingham to his rise to fame, Sheeran’s journey has been one marked by deep connections with family, friends, and loved ones. In the documentary, Sheeran discusses how his relationships with these people play a central role in his songwriting.

“Everything I write is from something that I’ve experienced,” Sheeran explains. “It might be about love, family, or a friendship. But it always comes from something that’s real to me.”

The influence of family is particularly evident in Songwriter. In one of the film’s more touching moments, Sheeran reflects on his close relationship with his wife, Cherry Seaborn, and how she has inspired some of his most beautiful and heartfelt songs. Tracks like “Perfect” and “Thinking Out Loud” are directly inspired by his love for her, and Songwriter provides viewers with a glimpse into the couple’s life together, offering an intimate portrait of their bond.

The documentary also delves into the importance of Sheeran’s relationship with his friends. While his fame has made him a household name, Sheeran remains grounded, always returning to the people who have been with him since the early days. Many of his songs, including “Castle on the Hill,” are infused with memories of his childhood friends and the experiences they shared.

The vulnerability Sheeran brings to his music is something he openly acknowledges in the documentary. He describes songwriting as a way to process his emotions, whether they are joyful or painful. “I don’t want to write songs that are fake. I want them to be honest,” he says. “Music has always been the way I express myself.”

Through Songwriter, viewers come to understand how Sheeran’s songs are not just works of art, but personal diaries. His music is an emotional record of his experiences, relationships, and growth, and this sense of authenticity is what resonates with his listeners.

The Legacy of “Songwriter”

At its core, Songwriter is a celebration of the art of songwriting, and by extension, the art of connecting with people through music. As Sheeran reveals, creating a song is not about crafting something commercial or chart-topping, but about being true to oneself and sharing that truth with others. In this way, Songwriter serves as both a window into the soul of Ed Sheeran and a love letter to the craft of songwriting.

As Sheeran continues to evolve as an artist, Songwriter offers a timely reminder that, despite the success, the fame, and the accolades, he is still deeply invested in the process of creating music that is meaningful and true. For fans and aspiring songwriters alike, the documentary is an invaluable look into the mind of one of music’s most beloved figures.

In a world where the pressure to create hits can sometimes overshadow the artistry of songwriting, Sheeran’s approach is refreshing: it’s about the journey, not the destination. Whether he’s working alone or collaborating with others, Sheeran’s music remains an authentic reflection of his life—a life lived fully, with love, passion, and a relentless desire to connect.

In Songwriter, Sheeran invites us to join him on this journey, offering a glimpse into the raw, beautiful, and often unpredictable process of turning life into song. And in doing so, he reminds us that the heart of music lies not in the charts or the awards, but in the simple, universal truths that speak to our shared human experience.