Four Irish artists feature in Ed Sheeran’s all-time greatest song list

Not one Bono to be seen.

In an interview with Rolling Stone, Ed Sheeran has revealed the nine songs that have had a profound impact on him as an artist. It contains a strong Irish presence with songs from Damien Rice, Rory Gallagher, Foy Vance and Van Morrison with The Chieftains. On Damien Rice's song, 'Cannonball', Sheeran said, "seeing Damien Rice perform when I was 11 changed my life forever. After seeing him play this small club in Ireland, I was able to meet him, and he was unbelievably cool. I went straight home and started writing songs. I would not be doing what I'm doing now if he'd been a jerk." He also loves 'Irish Heartbeat' by Van Morrison and The Chieftains, saying "I'm a big Van Morrison fan. My parents used to play this album on our road trips when I was a kid, so it really takes me back." "The album is a collaboration with the Chieftains, and the entire thing is incredible. This is the title track." Legendary Irish rocker Rory Gallagher's 'A Million Miles Away' is also featured with Sheeran saying "This was the first song I learned on guitar." "The story goes that when Jimi Hendrix was asked how it felt to be the greatest guitarist in the world, he answered, 'I don't know. Go ask Rory Gallagher.'" Speaking about his friend, Foy Vance, Sheeran said "I've been a huge fan of Foy since I was 14 or 15, and this is one of my favorite songs of his. When he set out to make his first album in years, 'Joy of Nothing', he asked me to join him on the recording of 'Guiding Light.' It's one of my proudest moments." Honourable mentions also went out to Eminem, The Game, Derek and the Dominos, Jarryd James and Susanne Sundfør. Here's the list in full: 1. 'Cannonball' - Damien Rice 2. 'Layla - Derek and the Dominos 3. 'Stan' - Eminem 4. 'Ricky' - The Game 5. 'Irish Heartbeat' - Van Morrison and the Chieftains 6. 'Guiding Light' - Foy Vance 7. 'Do You Remember' - Jarryd James 8. 'White Foxes' - Susanne Sundfør 9. 'A Million Miles Away' - Rory Gallagher https://youtu.be/3yqM--IMkX4 Clip via Damien Rice https://youtu.be/_Gp0YwxvzRo Clip via CelticDreams1978 https://youtu.be/RxiEMpcI83E Clip via YBens https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljsxs47Xd84 Clip via TheCrimsonCircle Hat-tip to Rolling Stone