19 Times Ed Sheeran Covered a Famous Song and Made It Even Radder
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We haven't heard much from Ed Sheeran since the release of 2017's Divide, but now the British musician is on the cusp of burning up the charts yet again with with his upcoming album No. 6 Collaborations Project. The new collection of tracks includes just about all our favorite artists, from Cardi B and Camila Cabello, to Chris Stapleton and H.E.R. But as excited as we are about his original work, we also have to give a shout out to his ability to transform an already-famous song into something even more exceptional.
When Sheeran puts his magic touch on another artist's song, nine times out of 10 it makes it even hotter. The pop star regularly whips out his guitar to cover current and vintage hits — "We Found Love," "...Baby One More Time," and "Feeling Good," for example — and never fails to completely blow our minds. Check them out ahead!
"Feeling Good"
This cover of the Nina Simone classic will make your jaw hit the floor.
"Love Yourself"
Sheeran's cover of this Justin Bieber hit sounds beyond excellent, which makes sense considering he co-wrote the track.
"We Found Love"
Sheeran takes this EDM-tinged Rihanna and Calvin Harris tune and transforms it into an acoustic ballad.
"...Baby One More Time"
We have to imagine that Britney Spears approves of Sheeran's take on her breakout hit.
"Drunk in Love"
Sheeran once joined Beyoncé herself to sing this song, but this version of just him is excellent.
"Royals"
Sheeran completely makes Lorde's hit single his own during this cover.
"Take Me To Church"
Sheeran covered Hozier's haunting tune when he stopped by BBC Radio 1.
"Stay With Me"
The singer did a beautiful rendition of fellow Brit, Sam Smith's iconic ballad.
"Empire State of Mind"
Beyoncé isn't the only Carter Sheeran has covered. He put his own spin on this Jay Z hit a few years ago.
"She Looks so Perfect"
This cover sounds almost as "perfect" as 5 Seconds of Summer's original tune.
"Chasing Cars"
Sheeran calls this "one of the top 20 best songs ever written" before taking on the Snow Patrol song in concert.
"Dirrty"
Christina Aguilera's down and dirty 2002 song sounds just as good coming out of Sheeran's mouth.
"Cruise"
At 5:32, you can hear Sheeran launch into his take on the feel-good Florida Georgia Line single.
"Starving"
Do you prefer Hailee Steinfeld's version of this song, or Sheeran's?
"Wonderwall"
Sheeran is a guy with a guitar — of COURSE he was gonna cover Oasis's "Wonderwall."
"No Diggity"
Blackstreet's 90s hip-hop anthem works exceptionally well as an acoustic song.
"CoCo"
Sheeran professes his love of the "coco" in this O.T. Genasis cover, but we're in love with his voice.