Music superstar Ed Sheeran, now 34, has revealed he finally feels truly happy, a sentiment coinciding with the anticipated No. 1 debut of his eighth studio album, 'Play'. Having released music and toured globally since he was 19, Sheeran reflects on his current state, asserting, 'I am living in the good old days. These are the days that, when I’m 60, I will look back on and wish I could go back to. I have to savour them and really feel in the moment as they can fly past quite quickly.'

This newfound contentment marks a significant shift from his initial decade in the music industry. Ed, who burst onto the scene in 2011 with 'The A Team' and has since sold 200 million records worldwide, admits that his early success came at a personal cost. He recounts being 'intensely unhappy' due to a lack of balance, dedicating 100 percent of his life to work, which left no room for a personal life. This intense focus, while leading to 'hyper-successful' outcomes, was unsustainable 'sanity-wise.'

The transformation began with finding balance, largely attributed to his marriage to childhood sweetheart Cherry Seaborn and the birth of their daughters, Lyra, five, and Jupiter, three. His priorities have now shifted dramatically, with family and friends constituting 70 percent of his life, and work just 30 percent. Sheeran emphasizes the importance of 'being able to balance being a dad and being a husband, and to feel like I am achieving both things to a good level,' describing this balance as his true measure of success over merely being a 'pop star machine.'

His family's presence now extends into his professional life, as seen during the recording sessions for his new album. Rather than the beer and takeaway-filled studios of his past, Lyra cheered on her father from the recording deck, and he recorded songs in India with his four-year-old daughter observing. Lyra also joined him on the set of his music video for 'A Little More,' bonding with the daughter of actor Rupert Grint, highlighting how his children are integral to his current experiences. He notes that 'the studio sessions meant more' now, embodying the concept of 'living in the moment' with his family and friends, savoring these present times.

Sheeran also openly discusses the evolution of his relationship with Cherry since having children, acknowledging the stresses and arguments that can arise when a couple becomes 'a unit.' While Cherry has inspired hits like 'Thinking Out Loud' and 'Perfect,' Ed is keen to stress that these songs represent 'heightened emotions' rather than 100 percent of reality. He also writes about more challenging moments, like 'Don’t Look Down' or 'Wargame,' reflecting genuine feelings from a specific 'moment in time.'

Looking ahead, Ed has sought advice from Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, particularly regarding navigating a long-term career. He bases his current career trajectory on Coldplay's enduring success over 25 years. With 14 No. 1 singles and eight No. 1 albums in the UK, Sheeran's approach to future music, including his planned post-'Play' album 'Rewind,' is guided by the principle: 'The rule is I have to love it.' He believes that happiness stems from doing what one enjoys.

Sheeran's touring experiences have also evolved. While his early shows primarily attracted teenage girls, his fan base has matured alongside him, now consisting of people in their early thirties, many of whom are also settling down and starting families. He describes his current gigs as a 'communal event' where fans enjoy '15 years of music they love with people they love.' Upcoming plans include two European arena shows in Coventry and Manchester in December, which he anticipates will be 'more intimate than a stadium show' but still 'incredible.' Ed also recently played to 90,000 fans over three nights at Portman Road stadium in Ipswich, grateful for the positive reception.