Ed Sheeran – Christmas Songs
Ed Sheeran has written two very different Christmas songs that showcase the full range of what the holiday season can feel like. “Merry Christmas,” his collaboration with Elton John, captures the joyful, celebratory side of the holidays with festive energy and classic pop warmth, while “Under the Tree” turns inward, reflecting on love lost and the loneliness that can surface this time of year. Together, these songs show how Christmas music can lift us up and break our hearts. This article explores both tracks, their themes, and what makes each one uniquely Sheeran.
1) Merry Christmas
Elton John convinced Ed Sheeran to team up for a Christmas song, and together they delivered a modern holiday classic. Ed is a masterful melody writer who understands the power of simplicity—something far harder to achieve than it sounds. Remarkably, this is the first chart-topping song ever titled “Merry Christmas.” It’s almost unbelievable that no one claimed such an obvious holiday title until this track, but once you hear it, you realize why it fits so perfectly here.
The opening lines are instantly memorable and packed with melodic leaps that capture the warmth and excitement of Christmas:
Build a fire and gather 'round the tree
Fill a glass and maybe come and sing with me.
From there, the tempo lifts into a bright, festive Elton John piano groove. The song has all the qualities of a great Christmas refrain, driven by the instantly singable line, “Merry Christmas everyone.” The music video adds even more charm—playful, nostalgic, and full of references that make it feel like a celebration of Christmas past and present.
2) Under the Tree
This is a very lonely and sad yet hopeful Christmas song. It features classic Sheeran vocal tone accompanied by piano, giving the track a raw and intimate feel. The orchestration that enters in the second verse brings the song to life and adds a touch of hope and positivity. The lyric “my heart will be here under the tree” is a clever and well-written line that captures the emotional core of the song. There’s also a horn solo that elevates the arrangement and deepens the mood. Overall, this is a great Christmas breakup song. Toward the end, Sheeran pushes more emotion into his vocals, and his voice breaks at times, creating an emotive edge that suits the track perfectly.
