Castle on the Hill

For other uses, see Castle on the Hill (disambiguation).

"Castle on the Hill"
Single by Ed Sheeran
from the album ÷
Written2015
Released6 January 2017 (2017-01-06)
Recorded2015
Genre
Length4:22
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Benny Blanco
  • Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran singles chronology
"Lay It All on Me"
(2015) 		"Castle on the Hill"
(2017) 		"Shape of You"
(2017)
Music video
"Castle on the Hill" on YouTube

"Castle on the Hill" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released on 6 January 2017 as one of the double lead singles from his third studio album ÷ (2017), along with "Shape of You".[4] "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 of Framlingham in Suffolk, and reminisces tales of his upbringing in the town. The BBC states, "the song has been described as a love letter to Suffolk."[5]

Released on the same day as "Shape of You", "Castle on the Hill" reached number one in Iceland, Scotland and Israel. The song also reached number two in a number of countries, including the UK, Australia and Germany, while "Shape of You" debuted at number one. It was the 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.[6][7][8] 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.[9] "Castle on the Hill" is certified nine-times platinum in Australia, Diamond in Canada and 6-times platinum the UK, and multiplatinum in numerous other countries.

  1. ^ "New Music Friday: 9 New Songs To Hear Now". EW.com. 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  2. ^ "Ed Sheeran, Sam Hunt & More Are Spotify Editors' Picks for New Music Friday". Billboard.com. Billboard. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  3. ^ Music, Guardian (6 January 2017). "Ed Sheeran releases new songs Castle on the Hill and Shape of You". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 15 January 2017.
  4. ^ "Ed Sheeran Returns With Two New Tracks "Castle on the Hill" and "Shape of You"". Complex. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Ed Sheeran exhibition in Ipswich features college drop-out letter". BBC. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
  6. ^ "Ed Sheeran takes top two chart positions". BBC. 13 January 2017.
  7. ^ "Historical record: Ed Sheeran starts as the first artist on 1 and 2 of the Official German single charts". Retrieved 17 January 2017. (translated from German)
  8. ^ "Ed Sheeran Creates Chart History Down Under". Billboard. 16 January 2017.
  9. ^ "Ed Sheeran Debuts Atop Hot 100 With 'Shape of You' & in Top 10 With 'Castle on the Hill'". Billboard. 17 January 2017.