Takeaways:
- Ed Sheeran frequently writes songs hoping Rihanna will record them.
- He believes Rihanna has the best taste in music among all artists.
- “Love Yourself” was originally written for Rihanna before Bieber recorded it.
- Sheeran’s hit “Shape of You” was initially meant for another artist.
- His upcoming album Play is part of a long-term 10-album plan inspired by Quentin Tarantino.
Ed Sheeran’s secret to writing hit songs? Channeling Rihanna.
In a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter revealed that whenever he sits down to write, he often does so with Rihanna in mind — and he’s not alone.
“I think out of any musician, Rihanna has the best taste out of anyone,” Sheeran shared. “She always picks just really, really great songs.”
According to Sheeran, Rihanna’s sharp musical instincts make her the dream collaborator for songwriters around the world. It’s common practice, he said, for writers to craft tracks with hopes of catching her attention.
Writing With Rihanna in Mind
Sheeran confessed that nearly every album he’s created includes at least one song intended for Rihanna. One notable example? The chart-topping hit “Love Yourself”, famously recorded by Justin Bieber.
“That one actually started with Rihanna in mind,” Sheeran said. “We thought, ‘Let’s write something she might want to sing.’”
That track went on to become one of Bieber’s biggest hits, but it began as an offering for the pop queen. Sheeran speculated that many of the industry’s best songs were likely born from the same intention — hoping to land a placement with Rihanna.
“Shape of You” Wasn’t Meant for Ed
Surprisingly, Sheeran’s own global smash “Shape of You” — the first track to surpass two billion streams on Spotify — almost didn’t end up in his discography. At first, he didn’t think it suited him.
“Even though I wrote it, I didn’t feel like it fit me as a performer,” Sheeran explained. “I tweaked the production, added some acoustic guitar slaps to make it sound more like something I’d do live — and eventually, it felt right.”
With more than 4.2 billion Spotify streams, the song is now the platform’s second most-streamed track ever.
A 10-Album Vision Inspired by Tarantino
Ed Sheeran isn’t just winging his career — he’s been following a structured creative roadmap since he was 18. Drawing inspiration from legendary director Quentin Tarantino, who has long planned to make exactly ten films, Sheeran has adopted a similar goal for his musical journey.
“When I was like 18, I had an idea for ten albums,” he revealed. “It was Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, Equals, and then Play, Pause, Rewind, Fast-Forward, and Stop.”
His upcoming album, Play, marks the next chapter in that plan.
A Posthumous Album Called “Eject”?
Looking even further into the future, Sheeran teased an idea for a final, posthumous project titled “Eject” — a compilation of unreleased songs that span his entire life.
“I’m not joking,” he said. “Imagine if when Paul McCartney passes away, there’s an album that drops with songs from every decade of his life. That would be fascinating.”
The concept? A musical time capsule that showcases different stages of his artistry — and only gets released the day he dies.
Why This Matters for Aspiring Artists
Ed Sheeran’s career offers key takeaways for anyone in the entertainment industry:
- Think like a collaborator. Even solo artists benefit from imagining their songs in other voices — sometimes that leads to surprising success.
- Stay flexible. “Shape of You” wasn’t originally Ed’s style — but adapting made it a record-breaking hit.
- Plan long-term. Sheeran’s 10-album vision is a masterclass in intentional career building.
- Create legacy content. The idea of “Eject” shows how artists can control their narrative, even after they’re gone.
Final Thoughts
Ed Sheeran’s blend of strategy, creativity, and collaboration continues to set him apart in the industry. For aspiring artists and entertainment professionals, his approach is a reminder that even the biggest hits can start with a simple, focused intention — like writing for Rihanna.
