Castle on the Hill

Ed Sheeran

About Castle on the Hill

"Castle on the Hill" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as a digital download on 6 January 2017 as one of the double lead singles from his third studio album ÷ (2017), along with "Shape of You". "Castle on the Hill" was written and produced by Ed Sheeran and Benny Blanco. The song refers to Framlingham Castle in Sheeran's home town. Released on the same day as "Shape of You", "Castle on the Hill" reached number two in a number of countries, including the UK, Australia and Germany, while "Shape of You" debuted at number one. It was first time in the history of the UK, Australian and German charts that an artist has taken the top two chart positions with new songs. The song debuted at number six in the US, while "Shape of You" entered at number one; this made Sheeran the first artist ever to have two songs simultaneously debut in the US top 10.  


Year:
2017
4:23
282 
#5

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

When I was six years old I broke my leg
I was running from my brother and his friends
And tasted the sweet perfume of the mountain grass I rolled down
I was younger then, take me back to when I

Found my heart and broke it here
Made friends and lost them through the years
And I've not seen the roaring fields in so long, I know I've grown
But I can't wait to go home

I'm on my way
Driving at ninety down those country lanes
Singing to "Tiny Dancer"
And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real
We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill

Fifteen years old and smoking hand-rolled cigarettes
Running from the law through the backfields and getting drunk with my friends
Had my first kiss on a Friday night, I don't reckon that I did it right
But I was younger then, take me back to when

We found weekend jobs, when we got paid
We'd buy cheap spirits and drink them straight
Me and my friends have not thrown up in so long, oh how we've grown
But I can't wait to go home

I'm on my way
Driving at ninety down those country lanes
Singing to "Tiny Dancer"
And I miss the way you make me feel, and it's real
We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill
Over the castle on the hill
Over the castle on the hill

One friend left to sell clothes
One works down by the coast
One had two kids but lives alone
One's brother overdosed
One's already on his second wife
One's just barely getting by
But these people raised me and I can't wait to go home

And I'm on my way, I still remember
This old country lanes
When we did not know the answers
And I miss the way you make me feel, it's real
We watched the sunset over the castle on the hill
Over the castle on the hill
Over the castle on the hill

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer


Ed Sheeran

Edward Christopher "Ed" Sheeran (born 17 February 1991) is an English singer-songwriter and producer. He was born in Halifax, before moving to Framlingham. He learned to play guitar and started writing songs at a young age. He began recording in 2005 and moved to London in 2008 to pursue a music career. In 2009, he played 312 gigs. In early 2011, Sheeran released an independent extended play, No. 5 Collaborations Project which led him to be signed to Asylum / Atlantic Records. Buoyed by the commercial breakthrough of the singles "The A Team" and "Lego House", his debut album + has been certified quintuple platinum in the United Kingdom. In 2012, he won two BRIT Awards for Best British Male Solo Artist, and British Breakthrough of… more »

172 fans

Written by: Benjamin Joseph Levin, Edward Christopher Sheeran

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


10 facts about this song

Release and Popularity
Released on January 6, 2017, "Castle on the Hill" debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart. - In the U.S., it peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100.
Song Inspiration
"Castle on the Hill" was inspired by Ed Sheeran's upbringing in his hometown of Framlingham in Suffolk, with the 'Castle' referring to Framlingham Castle.
Songwriting Process
Sheeran co-wrote the song with Benjamin Levin, a renowned music producer who is also known as Benny Blanco.
Chart Performance
It remained in the top ten of the UK Singles Chart for 14 weeks, making it one of his most successful songs in the region.
Music Video
The official music video for the song was filmed in Framlingham, and released on January 23, 2017. It features scenes of Sheeran's life growing up, including images of his friends, school and Framlingham Castle.
Critical Reception
Critics praised "Castle on the Hill" for its storytelling, nostalgia, and its rockier sound compared to Sheeran's other work. It has been described as a love letter to his hometown.
Live Performance
Sheeran played "Castle on the Hill" live for the first time on BBC Radio 1 on January 6, 2017, the day of its release.
Chart Records
Sheeran broke a record with "Castle on the Hill" and "Shape of You" – also released the same day – as the two songs entered at number one and two on the UK Singles Chart; the first time in history an artist had taken the top two chart positions with new songs.
Genre
Classified as a folk-pop and pop-rock song, "Castle on the Hill" marked a departure from Sheeran's previous sound, drawing comparisons with the music of U2 and Bruce Springsteen.
Accolades
"Castle on the Hill" was nominated for the Brit Award for British Single of the Year in 2018.

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    Top Hot 100 Songs 2017

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