10 Chart-Topping Hits You Didn’t Realize Ed Sheeran Wrote

Ed Sheeran is already a superstar, but here’s a twist straight out of a chart-topping hit: he’s the secret force behind some of your favorite songs by other artists.

Pop anthems, soulful ballads, and earworm hooks all carry his signature touch. You’ve probably belted these hits a hundred times without realizing the ginger-haired genius from Suffolk, England crafted the magic.

Hit play, turn it up, and uncover the Ed Sheeran songs you’ve been singing without knowing!

1. Love Yourself by Justin Bieber (2015)

Here’s a fun fact that might blow your mind: one of Justin Bieber’s smoothest, most confident breakup songs was actually co-written by Ed Sheeran and producer Benny Blanco. Sheeran originally wrote it for himself but handed it over, and wow, what a gift.

The track topped charts worldwide and became a global anthem for anyone who’s ever needed to tell someone, politely but firmly, to move on. Pure songwriting gold, just saying.

2. Cold Water by Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber and MO (2016)

Imagine a dancehall beat wrapped in emotional lyrics about finding hope when life feels overwhelming. That’s exactly what Sheeran helped create when he co-wrote this upbeat banger for Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MO.

The song hit number one in the UK and number two in the US, proving that Sheeran’s writing style works across genres like a musical chameleon. How cool is that?

Sometimes the best songwriters are the ones you never see coming.

3. Little Things by One Direction (2012)

Co-written with songwriter Fiona Bevan, this tender ballad shot straight to number one on the UK Singles Chart and became one of One Direction’s most beloved tracks. Sheeran wrote it when he was just a teenager himself, which makes it even more impressive.

Every line feels like a warm hug, celebrating the small, quirky things that make someone lovable. If that’s not relatable writing, nothing is.

Directioners everywhere still hold this one close to their hearts.

4. Your Song by Rita Ora (2017)

Rita Ora needed a comeback moment, and Ed Sheeran and producer Steve Mac delivered it with a bow on top. Bright, breezy, and impossible not to bop along to, this track peaked at number seven in the UK and reminded everyone why Ora belongs on the charts.

Though the title shares its name with Elton John’s classic, this version is entirely its own thing. Sheeran’s knack for writing feel-good pop hooks really shines through every cheerful note.

5. 2002 by Anne-Marie (2018)

Packed with references to early 2000s pop songs, this nostalgic gem co-written by Sheeran, Anne-Marie, Steve Mac, Julia Michaels, and Benny Blanco is basically a time machine in song form. It peaked at number three in the UK and had everyone reminiscing about childhood summers.

Sheeran cleverly wove lyrics from Shaggy, Outkast, and Blu Cantrell into the chorus. That kind of creative wordplay is a songwriter’s superpower, and honestly, it deserves its own trophy.

6. Strip That Down by Liam Payne ft. Quavo (2017)

After One Direction went on hiatus, Liam Payne stepped into the solo spotlight with this R&B-flavored track, and Ed Sheeran was right there helping craft it alongside Payne and Quavo. The song hit number three in the UK and proved Payne could hold his own as a solo artist.

Sheeran’s ability to adapt his writing style to match another artist’s personality is genuinely impressive. Where some writers leave their stamp everywhere, he shapes the song to fit the singer perfectly.

7. Say You Love Me by Jessie Ware (2014)

Soulful, sleek, and emotionally rich, this Sheeran co-write with Jessie Ware and Benny Blanco became Ware’s highest-charting UK single at the time, landing at number 22. For a deep-cut soul track, that’s a big deal.

Sheeran’s writing here feels stripped back and sincere, letting Ware’s powerhouse vocals lead the way. However understated the production feels, the emotional punch hits hard.

Sometimes the quietest songs say the loudest things, and this one proves that beautifully.

8. Eastside by Benny Blanco ft. Halsey and Khalid (2018)

With over 247 million streams and a number one spot on the UK Singles Chart, this dreamy indie-pop track is one of the most successful songs Sheeran has ever helped write for someone else. Co-crafted with Benny Blanco, Halsey, and Khalid, it feels like a summer daydream.

If you’ve ever imagined a simpler life with someone you love, this song gets it. Sheeran’s storytelling instincts shine through the warm, breezy lyrics that made millions of listeners feel genuinely seen.

9. Dark Times by The Weeknd ft. Ed Sheeran (2015)

Haunting, cinematic, and emotionally intense, this collaboration appeared on The Weeknd’s acclaimed album Beauty Behind the Madness. Sheeran didn’t just co-write it, he also sang on it, making this a rare case where he wore both hats at once.

The song’s dark tone shows a completely different side of Sheeran’s songwriting range. Though his own music often leans warm and acoustic, he proved here that he can craft moody, atmospheric storytelling with just as much skill and emotional depth.

10. Tattoo by Hilary Duff (2015)

Hilary Duff’s comeback album Breathe In. Breathe Out. featured this catchy pop track, co-written by Sheeran alongside Duff, Chris Leonard, and Jake Gosling.

For longtime Lizzie McGuire fans, hearing Duff with an Ed Sheeran-penned track is basically crossover gold.

The song blends personal storytelling with a polished pop sound, exactly the kind of writing Sheeran does in his sleep. Pass this on to a fellow Hilary Duff fan and watch their jaw drop when they find out who helped write it!