Ed Sheeran’s “Photograph” Is A Tearjerker: Listen

Long-distance relationships require taking a huge leap of faith. Ed Sheeran‘s “Photograph,” a new song revealed from his forthcoming album x, shows that he gets that. Instead of fretting over how and when they’ll be reunited, Sheeran sings of a snapshot, being everlasting proof of the good times – the best possible reason to stay together, despite the distance.

Listening to “Photograph,” this heartfelt ballad that gradually morphs into a steady march, can feel like watching a Nicholas Sparks film. Sheeran’s singing of a photo to keep in a jeans pocket or in a locket, not an Instagram snapshot to scroll by later. Truth be told, FaceTime, Skype and Google Hangouts have made long-distance relationships have become a lot easier to endure. But Sheeran’s singing of a time before all that, when artifacts like a photograph were the only way to recall a relationship’s initial spark. It feels hopelessly romantic as a result.

After the jump, hear “Photograph” and revisit other tracks that Sheeran’s revealed from x so far.

Ed Sheeran’s x — tracklist: 1. One 2. Mess 3. Sing 4. Don’t 5. Nina 6. Photograph 7. Bloodstream 8. Tenerife 9. Runaway 10. The Man 11. Thinking Out Loud 12. Afire Love Deluxe tracks: 1. Take It Back 2. Even My Dad Does Sometimes 3. Shirtsleeves 4. I See Fire

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