Think you know the Ginger Genius? Look closer at the credits - he’s the invisible architect behind your favorite radio earworms.

There’s a weird thing that happens in the music industry. You’re humming a tune in the shower - something smooth, maybe a bit poppy - and you think, "Man, this sounds familiar." It’s usually because Ed Sheeran’s DNA is spliced into the track. It’s February 17, and as the world celebrates Ed's 35th birthday (honestly, how is he only 35?), it's time to talk about his real superpower. It isn’t just the loop pedal or the ability to sell out Wembley with just a ginger beard and a guitar.

It’s the songwriting. Ed is essentially the industry's ultimate "ghost" developer.

1. "Love Yourself" – Justin Bieber 

Remember when Bieber pivoted from teen idol to "actually kind of cool" back in 2015? This track was the catalyst. With its minimalist guitar and that biting "my mama don't like you" line, it has Sheeran's fingerprints all over it. Originally, Ed wrote it for his own album, Divide, but it didn't quite fit the vibe. He handed it over to the Biebs, and well, the rest is history. It’s arguably one of the best "screw you" songs ever written, wrapped in a deceptively sweet melody.

2. "Little Things" – One Direction 

If you were on the internet in 2012, you couldn't escape this one. While One Direction was known for high-energy bangers, "Little Things" was the acoustic moment that made everyone stop. Ed actually wrote this when he was seventeen - just a kid with a notebook. It’s deeply personal, focusing on the tiny insecurities people have about their bodies. It’s that raw, "I-saw-this-in-my-real-life" vulnerability that makes an Ed Sheeran song instantly recognizable, even when five other guys are singing it.

3. "Cold Water" – Major Lazer ft. Justin Bieber & MØ 

This one is a curveball. You wouldn't expect the guy who wrote "Perfect" to be behind a massive EDM-dancehall floor-filler. Yet, Sheeran co-wrote the lyrics and the core melody. It just goes to show that his "pop-sense" isn't limited to folk ballads. He knows how to structure a hook that sticks to your brain like superglue.

4. "Eastside" – Benny Blanco, Halsey & Khalid 

This 2018 smash hit feels like a hazy summer memory. Sheeran jumped in to help his long-time friend and producer Benny Blanco. The storytelling here - moving from childhood sweethearts to the reality of growing up - is classic Ed. He has this knack for making specific, mundane details feel universal.

5. "Woman Like Me" – Little Mix

Yes, even the British girl-group powerhouses tapped into the Sheeran well. He co-wrote this empowering anthem, proving he can pivot his "voice" to fit a fierce, feminine energy without losing that signature rhythmic flow.  

Writing for others is a high-wire act. You have to disappear so the artist can shine, but you still need to provide the soul. Ed Sheeran is the master of the "invisible hit." So, happy birthday to the man who probably wrote the song you’re going to hear in the grocery store three minutes from now.