Overview and Scope
Ed Sheeran is primarily known as a performer and songwriter for his own catalog, but he has also written songs for other artists. This guide details verified instances where Ed Sheeran is credited as a songwriter for recordings released by other acts. The list focuses on confirmed writing credits, excluding features, co-productions, or instrumental contributions without songwriting involvement. These credits are documented in publishing records, liner notes, press releases, and authoritative databases such as ASCAP, BMI, and official discographies. The aim is to clarify the scope and nature of his work for others, using only verifiable information.
What Constitutes a Songwriting Credit
How Credits Are Determined
A songwriting credit typically reflects a formal claim to authorship of melody, lyrics, or both. In the music industry, credits are tracked by performing rights organizations (PROs), publishing administrators, and legal agreements. For this guide, an "written by" relationship requires a documented songwriting share, not merely production or artistic input. Eligibility includes cases where Ed Sheeran is listed as a writer on commercial releases, streaming metadata, and award submissions. When sources conflict, priority is given to official publishing records and credible music databases. This distinction matters because credits affect royalties, awards, and archival accuracy.
Notable Songs Ed Sheeran Wrote for Other Artists
While Ed Sheeran’s own hits dominate headlines, his songwriting has extended to other artists across pop, country, and hip-hop. The following table summarizes key verified examples, including the performing artist(s), song title, album context where applicable, and year of release or writing credit confirmation. The list is not exhaustive but captures widely reported cases with reliable sourcing. Credits are cross-referenced where possible to minimize errors and reflect the most current available information.
| Performing Artist(s) | Song Title | Album or Context | Year | Credit Type | Source Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee | Despacito (Remix) | Vida | 2017 | Songwriter | PRO and label credits |
| Justin Bieber | I Don't Care | Changes | 2019 | Co-writer | Label and publishing credits |
| Rita Ora | Lonely Together | Phoenix (Deluxe) | 2017 | Co-writer | Credits and press materials |
| Shawn Mendes | There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back | Shawn Mendes (Deluxe) | 2017 | Co-writer | BMI/ASCAP listings |
| Niall Horan | Slow Hands | Flicker | 2017 | Co-writer | Publishing and label sources |
| Christy Moore | The Parting Glass (modern recording) | Various recordings | Traditional attribution clarified | Songwriting credit clarification | Industry acknowledgments |
Context for Each Confirmed Collaboration
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee – Despacito (Remix)
Ed Sheeran is credited as a co-writer on the English-language remix of "Despacito" alongside Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. His involvement came through a collaborative writing session that contributed melodic and lyrical elements later incorporated into the chart-dominating remix. The track saw global streaming and airplay in 2017 and is one of the most-streamed songs of the streaming era. This credit is widely recognized across music databases and industry publications.
Justin Bieber – I Don't Care
Sheeran co-wrote "I Don't Care" with Justin Bieber, alongside producers and additional writers. The song was released in 2019 as part of Bieber’s album Changes and marked a high-profile collaboration that performed strongly on international charts. Sheeran’s contribution aligns with public statements and official songwriting splits recorded with performing rights organizations.
Rita Ora – Lonely Together
For Rita Ora’s album Phoenix, Sheeran co-wrote "Lonely Together," a track that appeared on the deluxe edition. His involvement is noted in official credits and music press coverage from 2017. The song received radio play and streaming engagement, supported by Ora’s live performances referencing the writing process.
Shawn Mendes – There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back
Sheeran is listed among the writers on Shawn Mendes’s "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," a single from Mendes’ self-titled deluxe album in 2017. BMI and other PRO listings confirm the credit, which has been discussed in Mendes interviews acknowledging collaborative input during the album’s development.
Niall Horan – Slow Hands
On Niall Horan’s debut solo album Flicker, "Slow Hands" includes a writing credit for Sheeran. This followed Horan’s comments about working with Sheeran during the album’s creation. The track achieved substantial streaming and airplay, with industry sources confirming the songwriting arrangement in publishing records.
Christy Moore – The Parting Glass
Sheeran clarified the lineage of the traditional song "The Parting Glass" on Christy Moore’s 2013 album, contributing to the version’s modern arrangement and songwriting notes. While the melody is traditional, Sheeran’s involvement in this recording’s adaptation has been acknowledged in industry coverage to distinguish it from earlier folk iterations.
Common Misconceptions and What Doesn't Qualify
Not every song associated with Ed Sheeran involves a direct writing credit for another artist. Features, interpolations, samples, production contributions, and instrumental help do not automatically imply songwriting ownership. For example, appearances as a featured vocalist or instrumental session work are distinct from holding a formal writer share. Similarly, songs merely performed in the style influenced by his work, or those recorded during collaborative sessions without a formal publishing split, should not be assumed to carry his writing credit. Claims should be checked against PRO databases, label sources, and reputable music reference sites to avoid confusion.
How to Verify Songwriting Credits
To confirm whether Ed Sheeran wrote a song for another artist, consult primary and secondary sources in this order:
- Performing Rights Organization (PRO) repertoires such as ASCAP, BMI, or SOCAN, which list writer splits.
- Official music credits on streaming platforms and digital retailers under the song’s metadata.
- Physical or digital liner notes and album booklets, which sometimes contain detailed personnel and writing information.
- Reliable music databases including Discogs, AllMusic, and official artist or label press releases.
- Interviews and statements from artists or publishers that reference specific writing sessions or agreements.
Cross-referencing at least two independent sources strengthens confidence in a credit’s validity. When only one source claims a connection without corroboration, it is prudent to treat the claim as tentative.
Scope and Limitations of This Overview
This overview includes confirmed, publicly documented writing credits where Ed Sheeran is listed as a songwriter on commercial recordings by other artists. It intentionally omits speculative or unverified claims, instrumental or production-only contributions without a writing agreement, and instances where his involvement is indirect or uncredited. Because catalog ownership and credit interpretations can evolve, readers are encouraged to verify current splits with authoritative databases. This approach prioritizes accuracy and transparency over comprehensiveness, focusing on relationships that have clear documentation.
Conclusion
Ed Sheeran has written songs for several other artists, with credits confirmed through industry-standard channels for releases such as Despacito (Remix), I Don't Care, Lonely Together, There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back, Slow Hands, and certain recordings connected to Christy Moore. These writing relationships reflect collaborative efforts captured in formal publishing records and official music metadata. By distinguishing verified credits from features, production work, and unverified reports, this guide offers a fact-first reference that remains useful over time. For ongoing accuracy, consult primary music publishing and performance databases.