Ed Sheeran Reflects on the 10th Anniversary of ‘X’ Album & Reveals His Initial Thoughts on a Hit Song
Celebrating a decade since the release of his acclaimed sophomore album, “x,” Ed Sheeran takes a nostalgic trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the journey from its inception to its enduring impact on his career.
“I think at the time you don’t really realize what’s happening,” Sheeran reflects, speaking to Billboard at the 2024 Blue Diamond Gala on Thursday (May 2). “You go from one song to the next song to the next song. At the time, I was just happy that people are liking the songs and now I look back at the album, and it’s an album people really liked, which I guess is good. It took me from arenas to stadiums and I feel like it was such an important album in my career.”
Not Without Its Challenges Despite the album’s immense success, Sheeran reveals a surprising detail about one of its biggest hits. “I remember ‘Photograph’ taking a really long time to get production right. It took a long while,” he shares. “That was the song that I didn’t really like at first because we spent so much time doing it and it ruined it. Now, I can look back and enjoy the process.”
Pushing Boundaries and Evolving Since the release of “x,” Sheeran has continued to innovate and explore new musical territories with albums like 2017’s “÷,” 2021’s “=,” and 2023’s “–,” along with collaborative projects like 2019’s “No. 6 Collaborations Project” and his most recent release, “Autumn Variations.”
“It’s important to never do the same thing twice,” Sheeran emphasizes, highlighting his commitment to musical experimentation and growth. “Musically, I’m always like, ‘Have I said this before? Has a song sounded like this before?’ It’s less about what other people are doing, and more about what I’ve already done and constantly doing something different.”
Looking Ahead As he prepares to commemorate the 10th anniversary of “x” with a special edition release on June 21, featuring nine bonus tracks never before available on vinyl, Sheeran’s journey continues to be marked by creativity, resilience, and an unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of his artistry.
