Ed Sheeran’s hit song “Shape Of You” has become one of the most successful songs of all time. It has broken records and earned numerous accolades since its release in 2017. One interesting fact about the song is that Sheeran had originally approached rapper Jay-Z to contribute a guest verse. However, in a twisted turn of events, the rapper turned him down.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Sheeran shared that he had sent the song to Jay-Z, hoping to collaborate on the track. However, the rapper reportedly responded that he did not think the song needed a rap verse. Sheeran agreed with Jay-Z’s judgment, saying that he has a “very, very good ear” and “usually gets things right.”
Despite not having a rap verse from Jay-Z, “Shape Of You” went on to become Sheeran’s most popular song to date. It spent 12 non-consecutive weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It also earned a Diamond certification from the Recording Industry Association of America.
This indicates sales and streaming of at least 10 million units.
The song’s success is not limited to the United States alone. It has also become one of the most-streamed songs of all time on Spotify. In fact, as of 2021, “Shape Of You” has over 3.9 billion streams on the platform, making it the most-streamed song in Spotify history. It has also broken records in other countries, such as the United Kingdom, where it spent 14 consecutive weeks at number one on the singles chart.
In addition to its commercial success, “Shape Of You” has also received critical acclaim. Sheeran was awarded the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance for the recording. Furthermore, the song has been praised for its catchy melody and relatable lyrics.
Overall, despite not having a rap verse from Jay-Z, “Shape Of You” has become one of the biggest hits of all time. It has basically cemented Ed Sheeran’s place as one of the most successful musicians of his generation.
