Ed Sheeran’s Billboard Hot 100 history is one of the most impressive in modern music history. With 60 songs on the chart, 9 Top 10 hits, and 2 No. 1 songs, Ed Sheeran has built a discography that not only boasts commercial success but also boasts an impressive level of longevity.
What makes Ed Sheeran’s chart history even more impressive, however, is that it has never been based on a fleeting burst of fame. Instead, it has been built on waves of activity, each of which has contributed something new to Ed Sheeran’s reputation as a charting artist.
From heartfelt acoustic fare to sleek pop hits, from solo hits to massive collaborations, Ed Sheeran has demonstrated an impressive ability to evolve while still sounding like himself. This may be one reason why Ed Sheeran has been able to connect with such a broad audience.
He has an impressive ability to move from emotional love songs to dance-friendly pop songs to collaborations without sacrificing his identity. Ed Sheeran’s chart history also serves to illustrate the power of longevity. Songs like “Shape Of You,” “Perfect,” and “Thinking Out Loud” weren’t just No. 1 hits; they lingered on the chart for months.
They were part of the fabric of music. Even his non-No. 1 hits boasted long performances and high peaks, which is a testament to his fan base’s dedication. But another notable aspect of his Hot 100 chart is the variety of artists he has collaborated with.
From Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift to Eminem, Camila Cabello, Khalid, Elton John, Luke Combs, and Fireboy DML, Ed Sheeran is one of the most sought-after collaborators in music. But as his entry list into the Hot 100 charts indicates, he is still as popular as ever when he is alone.
If one looks at these 60 Hot 100 hits, it is easy to see that Ed Sheeran is not just an artist with hit singles; he is an institution, and his success is built around songwriting, relatability, and a keen ear for what fans want to hear.
Contents
- 1 A career built on durable hits
- 2 The importance of staying power
- 3 A rare balance between solo identity and collaboration power
- 4 Album bombs and deeper catalog interest
- 5 Later career momentum and continued relevance
- 6 Ed Sheeran Billboard Hot 100 performance summary
- 7 Biggest Ed Sheeran Hot 100 hits
- 8 Notable collaborations on the Hot 100
- 9 Ed Sheeran Hot 100 Chart History: All 60 Songs
A career built on durable hits
Ed Sheeran launched his initial run on the Hot 100 with his breakout hit “The A Team,” which reached No. 16 and spent 33 weeks on the chart. This initial success was significant because it helped establish his strengths from the very beginning.
Sheeran was not an edgy, in-your-face pop star. He was an emotional songwriter with skills in melody and voice that were accessible. This would set the stage for everything that would follow.
Sheeran’s second phase helped him find mainstream success. “Sing,” “Don’t,” “Lego House,” and, in particular, “Thinking Out Loud” helped him expand his audience. And among these, “Thinking Out Loud” is arguably Sheeran’s signature hit.
While it stalled at No. 2, it spent 58 weeks on the Hot 100. This is not just a hit. This is a modern classic. This is a song that has found life on the radio, in streaming services, at weddings, on talent shows, and on adult contemporary radio.
This is a song that proves that the peak of the chart does not necessarily reflect the cultural significance.
Then there was 2017, a year in which Sheeran transitioned from being a star to being a chart giant. Shape Of You entered at No. 1, staying there for 12 weeks, with an incredible 59-week stay on the Hot 100.
Few hits can claim that kind of success in terms of staying power and dominance at the same time. It was a global pop moment, one of the defining hits of its time. On the same day, Castle On The Hill entered in the Top 10, giving a sense of the anticipation for this album campaign.
It was also a time when Perfect entered at No. 1, staying there for 57 weeks. Shape Of You proved Ed Sheeran to be a global pop sensation, but Perfect reminded everyone of his status as a romantic balladeer. Having two different kinds of No. 1 hits in one phase of his career is a testament to his versatility.
The importance of staying power
Perhaps the most obvious trend in Ed Sheeran’s Hot 100 history is longevity. While some acts might have success in terms of their first week or their first month, longevity is the ability to have songs that stick around the chart long enough to become staples. Ed Sheeran has done that again and again.
Here are some of the clearest examples:
- Shape Of You stayed for 59 weeks.
- Thinking Out Loud lasted 58 weeks.
- Perfect remained for 57 weeks.
- Bad Habits logged 56 weeks.
- Shivers reached 52 weeks.
This is important because it indicates something beyond the popularity of the songs at the time of their release. It indicates the songs are getting repeated listens, are successful across multiple formats, are holding their own on playlists, and have good word of mouth.
Ed Sheeran’s greatest strength, in chart commentary terms, may not necessarily be that his songs are successful. It may be that his songs are staying successful long after the initial burst of popularity has died down.
Bad Habits was another interesting case, reaching No. 2 rather than No. 1 on the chart but staying for an impressive 56 weeks. The song was the start of Sheeran’s move into shinier, more rhythmic pop sounds, and the public clearly ate it up.
Shivers was another long-running success, proving that this was no flash in the pan but rather the start of a successful commercial period.
A rare balance between solo identity and collaboration power
Furthermore, Ed Sheeran’s chart history also shows that he succeeds in two different capacities. He succeeds both as a solo artist and a collaborator. As a solo artist, Ed Sheeran has a presence in songs like “Photograph,” “Eyes Closed,” “Afterglow,” “Lego House,” and “Photograph.”
These songs feature Ed Sheeran embracing his vulnerability and using his melodic voice to tell stories. Although these songs may not be reaching the highest positions on the chart, they always leave a lasting impression because of their sincerity. Ed Sheeran has also been a great collaborator, helping to achieve great crossover success.
His song “I Don’t Care” with Justin Bieber has reached number 2 on the chart and has stayed for 39 weeks. This song has been a great collaboration because it brings together two of the biggest hitmakers of the streaming era and has achieved exactly what one would expect.
Ed Sheeran has also collaborated with Eminem on “River,” Camila Cabello on “Bam Bam,” Fireboy DML on “Peru,” and Elton John on “Merry Christmas.”
It’s also important to point out Ed Sheeran’s chart history with Taylor Swift. Songs like “Everything Has Changed,” “Run (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault),” “Everything Has Changed (Taylor’s Version),” and “The Joker And The Queen” show Ed Sheeran’s ability to be a great collaborator.
Album bombs and deeper catalog interest
Another aspect of Sheeran’s Hot 100 history is the presence of album releases that contribute to the presence of many songs in the chart at once.
For example, in March 2017, songs like “Dive,” “Galway Girl,” “Happier,” “New Man,” “Supermarket Flowers,” “What Do I Know?,” “Eraser,” “Hearts Don’t Break Around Here,” and “Barcelona” all made the Hot 100 chart.
The presence of many songs in the chart at once is a product of the high engagement of his fans in the streaming environment. They were not just streaming the singles; they were streaming the full album too.
This is significant in the context of his career. Ed Sheeran is not just a singles artist; he is also an album artist whose releases create body interest.
Being an album artist whose releases create body interest is significant in the context of the Hot 100 chart. Indeed, many artists have the ability to create only a single or two songs that make the Hot 100 chart, while only a few have the ability to make many songs in the album chart at once.
Later career momentum and continued relevance
One reason Ed Sheeran’s record is notable is that it does not end with the first time he had a number-one hit. He continues to earn Hot 100 appearances over the years and through various music styles.
“Eyes Closed,” “Life Goes On,” “Curtains,” and recent songs like “Azizam,” “Sapphire,” “Old Phone,” “Camera,” and “I Only Miss You” demonstrate that he continues to earn Hot 100 appearances.
While Ed Sheeran’s later songs do not perform as well as any of the defining songs from his early years, they do reinforce the reality that the singer is a relevant figure on the charts with a fan base that continues to follow him.
Longevity is hard to achieve in the music world, especially in the ever-changing world of popular music. Ed Sheeran’s success comes from being a songwriter with a broad appeal to a variety of people.
Ed Sheeran Billboard Hot 100 performance summary
| Category | Result |
|---|---|
| Total Hot 100 Entries | 60 |
| No. 1 Hits | 2 |
| Top 10 Hits | 9 |
| Top 20 Hits | 15 |
| Top 40 Hits | 27 |
| Highest Peaking Song | Shape Of You |
| Longest Chart Run | Shape Of You with 59 weeks |
| Second Longest Run | Thinking Out Loud with 58 weeks |
| Third Longest Run | Perfect with 57 weeks |
Biggest Ed Sheeran Hot 100 hits
| Song | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart | Commentary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shape Of You | 1 | 59 | His biggest Hot 100 hit and one of the defining pop singles of the 2010s |
| Perfect | 1 | 57 | A major romantic ballad that became a long lasting favorite |
| Bad Habits | 2 | 56 | A sleek pop shift that proved his ability to refresh his sound |
| Thinking Out Loud | 2 | 58 | One of his most beloved songs and arguably his signature ballad |
| I Don’t Care | 2 | 39 | A strong collaboration with Justin Bieber that delivered broad chart appeal |
| Shivers | 4 | 52 | Another durable modern pop hit with strong repeat value |
| Castle On The Hill | 6 | 33 | An anthemic personal song that showed his storytelling range |
| Don’t | 9 | 36 | An important early Top 10 that helped establish him as a mainstream star |
| Photograph | 10 | 30 | A slow building emotional hit that became one of his most enduring songs |
Notable collaborations on the Hot 100
| Song | Credited Artists | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| I Don’t Care | Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber | 2 |
| River | Eminem Featuring Ed Sheeran | 11 |
| Bam Bam | Camila Cabello Featuring Ed Sheeran | 21 |
| The Joker And The Queen | Ed Sheeran Featuring Taylor Swift | 21 |
| Everything Has Changed | Taylor Swift Featuring Ed Sheeran | 32 |
| Merry Christmas | Ed Sheeran & Elton John | 37 |
| Peru | Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran | 53 |
| Lay It All On Me | Rudimental Featuring Ed Sheeran | 48 |
Ed Sheeran Hot 100 Chart History: All 60 Songs
| No. | Song | Artist Credit | Peak Pos. | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shape Of You | Ed Sheeran | 1 | 59 |
| 2 | Perfect | Ed Sheeran | 1 | 57 |
| 3 | Bad Habits | Ed Sheeran | 2 | 56 |
| 4 | I Don’t Care | Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber | 2 | 39 |
| 5 | Thinking Out Loud | Ed Sheeran | 2 | 58 |
| 6 | Shivers | Ed Sheeran | 4 | 52 |
| 7 | Castle On The Hill | Ed Sheeran | 6 | 33 |
| 8 | Don’t | Ed Sheeran | 9 | 36 |
| 9 | Photograph | Ed Sheeran | 10 | 30 |
| 10 | River | Eminem Featuring Ed Sheeran | 11 | 13 |
| 11 | Beautiful People | Ed Sheeran Featuring Khalid | 13 | 26 |
| 12 | Sing | Ed Sheeran | 13 | 20 |
| 13 | The A Team | Ed Sheeran | 16 | 33 |
| 14 | End Game | Taylor Swift Featuring Ed Sheeran & Future | 18 | 14 |
| 15 | Eyes Closed | Ed Sheeran | 19 | 20 |
| 16 | Bam Bam | Camila Cabello Featuring Ed Sheeran | 21 | 20 |
| 17 | The Joker And The Queen | Ed Sheeran Featuring Taylor Swift | 21 | 3 |
| 18 | Cross Me | Ed Sheeran Featuring Chance The Rapper & PnB Rock | 25 | 10 |
| 19 | Azizam | Ed Sheeran | 28 | 14 |
| 20 | Afterglow | Ed Sheeran | 29 | 10 |
| 21 | Those Kinda Nights | Eminem Featuring Ed Sheeran | 31 | 2 |
| 22 | Everything Has Changed | Taylor Swift Featuring Ed Sheeran | 32 | 20 |
| 23 | Make It Rain | Ed Sheeran | 34 | 2 |
| 24 | Merry Christmas | Ed Sheeran & Elton John | 37 | 12 |
| 25 | Antisocial | Ed Sheeran & Travis Scott | 37 | 4 |
| 26 | Afire Love | Ed Sheeran | 37 | 1 |
| 27 | Overpass Graffiti | Ed Sheeran | 41 | 2 |
| 28 | How Would You Feel (Paean) | Ed Sheeran | 41 | 2 |
| 29 | Lego House | Ed Sheeran | 42 | 16 |
| 30 | Run (Taylor’s Version) (From The Vault) | Taylor Swift Featuring Ed Sheeran | 47 | 1 |
| 31 | 2step | Ed Sheeran Featuring Lil Baby | 48 | 15 |
| 32 | Lay It All On Me | Rudimental Featuring Ed Sheeran | 48 | 16 |
| 33 | South Of The Border | Ed Sheeran Featuring Camila Cabello & Cardi B | 49 | 12 |
| 34 | Dive | Ed Sheeran | 49 | 2 |
| 35 | Peru | Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran | 53 | 15 |
| 36 | Galway Girl | Ed Sheeran | 53 | 5 |
| 37 | Remember The Name | Ed Sheeran Featuring Eminem & 50 Cent | 57 | 1 |
| 38 | Camera | Ed Sheeran | 58 | 18 |
| 39 | Happier | Ed Sheeran | 59 | 2 |
| 40 | BLOW | Ed Sheeran With Chris Stapleton & Bruno Mars | 60 | 2 |
| 41 | Everything Has Changed (Taylor’s Version) | Taylor Swift Featuring Ed Sheeran | 63 | 1 |
| 42 | Life Goes On | Ed Sheeran Featuring Luke Combs | 66 | 2 |
| 43 | I Only Miss You | Megan Moroney & Ed Sheeran | 67 | 1 |
| 44 | All About It | Hoodie Allen Featuring Ed Sheeran | 71 | 4 |
| 45 | New Man | Ed Sheeran | 72 | 1 |
| 46 | Sapphire | Ed Sheeran | 74 | 3 |
| 47 | Visiting Hours | Ed Sheeran | 75 | 1 |
| 48 | Supermarket Flowers | Ed Sheeran | 75 | 1 |
| 49 | What Do I Know? | Ed Sheeran | 83 | 1 |
| 50 | One | Ed Sheeran | 87 | 1 |
| 51 | Old Phone | Ed Sheeran | 89 | 1 |
| 52 | Sigue | J Balvin & Ed Sheeran | 89 | 1 |
| 53 | Eraser | Ed Sheeran | 90 | 1 |
| 54 | Dark Times | The Weeknd Featuring Ed Sheeran | 91 | 3 |
| 55 | Hearts Don’t Break Around Here | Ed Sheeran | 93 | 1 |
| 56 | Old School Love | Lupe Fiasco Featuring Ed Sheeran | 93 | 5 |
| 57 | Barcelona | Ed Sheeran | 96 | 1 |
| 58 | Curtains | Ed Sheeran | 97 | 1 |
| 59 | Are You Entertained | Russ & Ed Sheeran | 97 | 1 |
| 60 | Best Part Of Me | Ed Sheeran Featuring YEBBA | 99 | 1 |
Ed Sheeran’s legacy on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is even more impressive than the numbers alone would suggest. Of course, the numbers are impressive: 60 songs charting, 9 songs in the Top 10, and 2 No. 1 songs are achievements that put Ed Sheeran among the best of the best.
However, the more impressive aspect of Ed Sheeran’s Hot 100 chart performance is the way in which his songs have stuck around and become an integral part of listeners’ daily routines. That is the hallmark of an artist whose music is resonating with listeners beyond just the single itself. Ed Sheeran is also an artist whose success has spanned multiple genres and styles.
He is an accomplished singer songwriter, pop star, balladeer, and guest artist to other artists from various genres and generations. The latter has helped him stay relevant even as many other artists have struggled to stay atop the charts.
Ed Sheeran is also an artist whose Hot 100 chart performance is true to his artistic identity. Even his more pop-oriented songs have retained the qualities that defined Ed Sheeran from the very beginning.
When looking at Ed Sheeran’s entire Hot 100 chart history, one thing is clear: Ed Sheeran is one of the most successful and consistent hit-makers of his generation.
He may not always have the biggest numbers or the flashiest marketing campaigns, but Ed Sheeran is an artist whose songs are wanted and needed. That is one of the most valuable qualities an artist can have in chart performance. Ed Sheeran’s chart history is not just impressive; it is also built to last.