You know that feeling when a song starts and the entire room just exhales? That's what happens every single time the we found love where we are song—officially known as "Thinking Out Loud" by Ed Sheeran—hits the speakers. It is a behemoth. Honestly, it’s more than just a pop song at this point; it’s a cultural landmark that redefined what a modern wedding song sounds like.
People often get the lyrics mixed up with the title. You'll hear someone hum "we found love right where we are" and assume that’s the name of the track. It makes sense. It’s the emotional heartbeat of the chorus.
Released in 2014 as part of his second studio album, × (pronounced "Multiply"), the track didn't just climb the charts. It lived there. It was the first song to ever hit 500 million streams on Spotify, which seems like a small number by today’s billions-obsessed standards, but in the mid-2010s? That was unheard of.
How Ed Sheeran Wrote the "We Found Love Where We Are" Song
The story behind the song is actually pretty grounded. It wasn't some corporate writing camp project. Ed wrote it with his long-time collaborator Amy Wadge. They were just hanging out. Amy was struggling with some financial issues at the time, and Ed, being the friend he is, wanted to help her get a "pension song"—something that would keep paying royalties for years.
They nailed it.
They wrote the track in about twenty minutes. Think about that. One of the most successful songs in history took less time to write than it takes to order a pizza. It was inspired by Sheeran’s then-girlfriend, Athina Andrelos, and the concept of "everlasting love." He wanted something that felt like Van Morrison but sounded like 2014.
The "blue jeans" and "70" lyrics? Those aren't just filler. They are specific images meant to evoke a sense of aging together. Most pop songs focus on the "now"—the club, the party, the immediate spark. Sheeran went the other way. He went for the long haul.
The Music Video That Changed Everything
If you haven't seen the video, you've probably been living under a very large rock. It features Ed ballroom dancing.
He didn't use a stunt double.
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Actually, he spent five hours a day for three weeks while on tour practicing that routine. He wanted it to be authentic. That dedication paid off because the video became a viral sensation, showcasing a side of him that people hadn't really seen. He wasn't just the "guy with the guitar" anymore. He was a performer.
The choreography, handled by Nappytabs (of So You Think You Can Dance fame), was designed to look like a conversation through movement. It’s fluid. It’s intimate. It’s exactly why people started trying to recreate it for their first dances at weddings, often with varying degrees of success and a lot of stepped-on toes.
Why Does This Song Rank So High for Weddings?
There is a specific psychology to why the we found love where we are song stays relevant. It hits the "Goldilocks Zone" of music. It’s not too fast, not too slow. It’s easy to sway to.
- Tempo: At 79 beats per minute, it matches a relaxed heart rate.
- Key: It’s in D Major, which music theorists often describe as a key of triumph and rejoicing.
- Lyrics: They focus on the physical changes of aging ("When my hair's all but gone and my memory fades"), which feels incredibly honest.
Critics sometimes call it "saccharine." Sure. It’s definitely sweet. But in a world where a lot of music is cynical or aggressive, there’s a massive market for earnestness. Ed Sheeran is the king of earnestness.
The Marvin Gaye Controversy
We can't talk about "Thinking Out Loud" without mentioning the legal drama. You might remember the headlines. The estate of Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Marvin Gaye’s "Let’s Get It On," sued Sheeran for copyright infringement.
They claimed the "we found love where we are song" used the same harmonic progressions and rhythmic elements.
It was a tense few years for the music industry. If Sheeran lost, it could have set a precedent where basic chord progressions—the building blocks of all music—could be owned. Ed famously said he’d quit music if he lost.
He didn't lose.
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The jury in Manhattan ruled in his favor in 2023. The consensus was that while the songs share a similar "vibe" and basic structure, these are "commonplace musical building blocks" that no one can own. It was a huge win for songwriters everywhere. It protected the right to be influenced by the greats without being sued for it.
Technical Nuances of the Composition
For the musicians out there, the song isn't just three chords and a cloud of dust. There’s a sophisticated "walking" bassline that keeps the energy moving.
The guitar work uses a percussive "slap" on the strings. This is a signature Sheeran move. It replaces the need for a drum kit in the early parts of the song, making it feel more acoustic and "busker-style" even though it’s a high-production studio track.
The bridge is where the magic happens. The shift into the higher register for "Me, I fall in love with you every single day" provides the emotional payoff. It’s a classic songwriting trick: hold back the vocal power until the moment it matters most.
Impact on the Charts and Beyond
When we look at the data, the numbers are staggering.
- It spent 19 weeks in the UK Top 40 before it even hit number one.
- It won Song of the Year at the 58th Grammy Awards.
- It has been covered by everyone from Demi Lovato to a thousand different contestants on The Voice.
It’s one of those rare songs that bridged the gap between different demographics. Your grandma likes it. Your little sister likes it. Even people who claim to hate pop music usually find themselves tapping a foot to it at a reception.
Common Misconceptions
People often think this was Ed's biggest hit. It's actually not. "Shape of You" technically outperformed it in terms of sheer numbers. But "Shape of You" is a club track. It has a shelf life. "Thinking Out Loud" is a legacy track.
Another misconception is that it was written in a studio in Los Angeles. Nope. It was written in Ed's house in Suffolk. He likes to keep his process close to home.
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Is it the best song ever written? Probably not. Is it the most effective "love song" of the 21st century so far? The data says yes.
What to Do If You're Planning to Use This Song
If you are looking for the we found love where we are song for an event, there are a few things to keep in mind to make it work perfectly.
First, consider the version. While the studio version is the classic, there are several live acoustic versions (like the one from the Multiply Wembley Stadium shows) that feel a bit more raw and personal. Sometimes the "over-produced" sound of the radio version can feel a bit sterile for a small wedding.
Second, check the length. The song is nearly five minutes long. If you're using it for a first dance, that is an eternity to be dancing in front of people. Most DJs recommend a fade-out around the three-minute mark unless you have a fully choreographed routine like the music video.
Third, look at the lyrics. While most of it is beautiful, some people find the "legs don't work like they used to" line a bit odd for a wedding. Personally, I think it adds character. It shows a commitment to the "for better or worse" part of the vows.
Moving Forward with the Music
To truly appreciate the craftsmanship of the track, listen to it alongside "Let's Get It On" and Van Morrison’s "Have I Told You Lately." You'll hear the DNA. You'll see how Ed took the soul of the 70s and 80s and packaged it for a modern audience.
If you're a songwriter, study the economy of his words. There isn't a wasted syllable in the chorus. If you're a fan, just enjoy the fact that sometimes, the most popular song in the world is actually a pretty good one.
Actionable Insights for Using the Song Today:
- For Curators: Pair this track with "Perfect" and "All of Me" by John Legend for a seamless "Modern Classics" acoustic set.
- For Musicians: Focus on the "thumb-slap" technique on the guitar to capture the specific rhythmic "heartbeat" of the original recording.
- For Wedding Planners: If the couple is nervous about dancing, suggest a "slow-dance" cover version by a female artist to change the dynamic and lower the pressure.
- For Listeners: Pay attention to the subtle organ in the background during the second verse; it’s the secret ingredient that gives the song its "church-like" soul feeling.