Photograph (Ed Sheeran song) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids "Photograph"
Single by Ed Sheeran
from the album ×
B-side	"I Will Take You Home"
Released	11 May 2015 (2015-05-11)
Genre	Folk-pop
Length	4:19 3:42 (radio edit)
Label	Asylum Atlantic
Songwriter(s)	Ed Sheeran Johnny McDaid Martin Harrington Tom Leonard
Producer(s)	Jeff Bhasker Emile Haynie
Ed Sheeran singles chronology
"Bloodstream" (2015) "Photograph" (2015) "Lay It All on Me" (2015)

"Photograph" is a popular song by the English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It comes from his second studio album, × (pronounced "multiply"), which was released in 2014. Ed Sheeran wrote this emotional song with Snow Patrol member Johnny McDaid.

The song is a ballad, a type of slow and heartfelt song. Its music mainly uses an acoustic guitar, piano, and drums. The lyrics tell a story about a long-distance relationship. This was inspired by Ed Sheeran's own experiences of being far from his girlfriend while he was on tour.

"Photograph" was the fifth and final song released as a single from the album. It became a huge hit, reaching the top five in many countries around the world. In the United States, it reached number ten on the charts. In the United Kingdom, it climbed to number fifteen and has sold millions of copies.

The music video for "Photograph" is very special. It's a collection of real home videos showing Ed Sheeran from when he was a baby, through his childhood, and into his teenage years. It gives fans a peek into his early life, including his love for playing music and his fondness for Lego.

About Ed Sheeran's "Photograph" Song

"Photograph" is a well-loved song by Ed Sheeran, known for its touching lyrics and gentle melody. It's a great example of folk-pop music, blending storytelling with catchy tunes. The song has resonated with many listeners because it talks about keeping memories close, even when people are far away.

How "Photograph" Was Created

Ed Sheeran wrote "Photograph" with Johnny McDaid (pictured). McDaid had a piano tune that started the song.

Ed Sheeran wrote "Photograph" in May 2012 with Johnny McDaid, who is a musician from the band Snow Patrol. Ed was touring with Snow Patrol at the time. Johnny McDaid had a short piano tune, a "loop," that became the starting point for the song.

Ed Sheeran remembers being in a hotel room in Kansas City. He started humming the words "loving can hurt, loving can hurt" to Johnny's piano loop. Johnny then added a beat to it. They worked on ideas for the song while Ed was building Lego and Johnny was on his laptop. Ed said they finished writing the main part of the song in about half an hour!

Ed Sheeran recorded many different versions of "Photograph" before finding the right sound. He worked with producers like Jake Gosling and Rick Rubin. Eventually, he teamed up with Jeff Bhasker, who helped create the final version we know today. Emile Haynie also helped with the production.

The Song's Meaning and Sound

"Photograph" is an acoustic pop ballad. This means it's a slow, emotional song that mostly uses acoustic instruments. You can hear an acoustic guitar, piano, strings, and drums in the music. The melody starts softly with guitar and piano, then other instruments join in.

The song's lyrics tell the story of a long-distance relationship. The singer remembers special moments, like a kiss "under the lamppost." He also talks about keeping a picture of his loved one "in the pocket of [her] ripped jeans." These detailed images help listeners feel the emotions of being apart from someone you care about.

Ed Sheeran was inspired by his own life when he wrote these lyrics. He had a girlfriend, Nina Nesbitt, and spent many months away from her while on tour. This personal experience made the song feel very real and heartfelt.

"Photograph" Becomes a Hit

Before its official release, Ed Sheeran played a demo version of "Photograph" for a German radio station in 2013. He also performed it at a concert in New York in 2014, where even Taylor Swift knew the lyrics! Ed believed this song would be very important for his career.

"Photograph" was first released as a digital download on June 20, 2014. It was one of several promotional songs from his album ×. Later, on April 22, 2015, Ed announced on Twitter that "Photograph" would be the next official single. It was then released to radio stations and as a CD single in some countries.

The song quickly became very popular. It reached number 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the US. This made it the third top 10 hit from the × album. In the UK, it reached number 15. "Photograph" has been certified quadruple platinum in the UK, meaning it has sold over 2.4 million units. It also earned double platinum in Australia and Canada, and platinum in New Zealand and Italy.

The song was also very popular on Spotify. In April 2015, Spotify reported that "Photograph" was one of the most streamed songs in their "sleep" category. This shows that many people found the song relaxing and calming.

The Music Video: A Trip Down Memory Lane

The music video for "Photograph" was released on May 9, 2015. It's a special video made from real home movies of Ed Sheeran. His father had been collecting these clips for family Christmas presents. Ed thought they would be perfect for the song's video.

The video shows Ed Sheeran growing up, from a baby in the 1990s to a teenager in the 2000s. You can see him playing many different musical instruments, like the piano, cello, guitar, and drums. This shows how much he loved music from a very young age. There are also clips of him performing on the street in Galway, Ireland.

The video also highlights Ed's long-time love for Lego, which he even mentioned in his earlier song "Lego House". You can see him playing with Lego as a child. The video was directed by Emil Nava, who has worked on many of Ed Sheeran's other music videos. It was even nominated for Best Video at the 2016 Brit Awards.

Other Artists Cover "Photograph"

Many other artists have enjoyed and covered "Photograph."

• Jordan Feliz recorded a version for his album Beloved. Critics praised his acoustic style and clear singing.
• Jessica Mauboy included her cover of the song on her 2016 album, The Secret Daughter: Songs from the Original TV Series.
• In 2021, a duo called The Portraits, along with their 15-year-old daughter Ciara Mill, released a cover. This version featured a choir and orchestra. It was released to support charities that help people who are dealing with loss. The music video for this cover included 300 photos of people who passed away during the Covid pandemic, honoring their memory.
• Trace Adkins and Iñigo Pascual performed the song on the TV series Monarch.

Song Versions and Releases

Here are some of the different versions and releases of "Photograph":

• CD single

• "Photograph" – 4:19
• "I Will Take You Home" – 3:59

• Digital download (Remixes)

• "Photograph" (Felix Jaehn Remix) – 3:22
• "Photograph" (Jack Garratt Remix) – 3:05

Who Made the Song?

Many talented people worked together to create "Photograph." Here are some of the main credits:

• Ed Sheeran – vocals, writer, acoustic guitar
• Johnny McDaid – writer
• Jeff Bhasker – producer, piano, keys, electric bass
• Emile Haynie – additional producer, drum programming
• Tyler Sam Johnson – engineering, electric guitar, drum programming
• Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
• Geoff Swan – engineering
• Davide Rossi – string arrangement
• Stuart Hawkes – mastering

Awards and Achievements

"Photograph" has received many awards and certifications for its sales and popularity around the world. These awards show how much fans love the song!

Release History

See also

In Spanish: Photograph (canción de Ed Sheeran) para niños