The A Team ( Ed Sheeran song ) - wikipedia The A Team ( Ed Sheeran song ) `` The A Team '' Single by Ed Sheeran from the album + Released 12 June 2011 Format 7 '' CD digital download Recorded Genre Folk Length 4 : 18 ( album version ) 3 : 42 ( radio edit ) Label Lava Atlantic Songwriter ( s ) Ed Sheeran Producer ( s ) Jake Gosling Ed Sheeran singles chronology `` If I Could '' ( 2011 ) `` The A Team '' ( 2011 ) `` Young Guns '' ( 2011 ) `` If I Could '' ( 2011 ) `` The A Team '' ( 2011 ) `` Young Guns '' ( 2011 ) Music video `` The A Team '' on YouTube `` The A Team '' is the debut solo single by English singer - songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as a digital download in the United Kingdom on 12 June 2011, serving as the lead single from his debut album, + ( 2011 ). `` The A Team '' is a folk ballad with lyrics that speak of a prostitute addicted to crack cocaine, a Class A drug. It was written after Sheeran visited a homeless shelter and heard some of the stories of the lives people had been living. Making the song upbeat and using the line `` Class A Team '' was his way of masking the heavy subject matter. He wrote the song following a last - minute performance at an event for the homeless. The chorus of `` The A Team '' was also used by Sheeran in the track `` Little Lady '', which features Mikill Pane. `` Little Lady '' is available on the EP No. 5 Collaborations Project. It became a top 10 hit in Australia, Germany, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. It debuted at number three on the UK Singles Chart, with sales of 57,607 copies. The song was serviced to US radio formats in late 2012 and became a sleeper hit there, gradually rising up the Billboard Hot 100 to peak at number 16, becoming Sheeran 's first single on that chart. On 5 December, the song received a Grammy Award nomination for Song of the Year, Sheeran 's first Grammy Award nomination. At the 2012 Brit Awards, it was nominated for Best British Single. Contents 1 Background and release 2 Composition 3 Critical reception 4 Chart performance 5 Music video 6 Live performances 7 Cover versions 8 Track listing 9 Charts 9.1 Weekly charts 9.2 Year - end charts 10 Certifications 11 Release history 12 References 13 External links Background and release `` ' The A Team ' came from an experience I had when I did a gig at a homeless shelter '', says Sheeran of the song. `` I was 18 at the time and kind of quite naïve. So, I was a bit taken aback by some of the stories that I heard. I got home that night and I just wrote a lot of the lyrics. I wanted to write it so it sounded kind of upbeat, so you would n't really know what it 's about, because it 's quite a dark subject. '' In a 2011 video interview with Absolute Radio, Sheeran stated that it was based on the experiences of a particular woman at the shelter, named Angel, hence the ' Angels to fly ' line in the song. In a video interview with Billboard, Sheeran explained the song 's title. `` A drug like crack cocaine is called a ' Class A drug '. That 's in the same category as heroin. Instead of making it clear and just saying what the problem was, I 'd say, ' She 's in the ' Class A ' team. ' It was kind of my way of covering up ( a person 's addiction ), I guess, making it a bit more subtle. '' The single was released 1 May 2011, in the UK through Atlantic Records. In US, `` The A Team '' was serviced to adult album alternative ( also triple - A, AAA, or adult alternative ) stations on 27 February 2012. Composition According to the sheet music published by EMI Music Publishing, `` The A Team '' is set in common time with a tempo of 170 beats per minute. Written in the key of A major ; Sheeran 's vocals range from the note of A to A. Instrumentation is provided by guitar, piano and vocals. `` The A Team '' is a folk song. Gary Trust from Billboard compared the song to `` folk / rock hits like Suzanne Vega 's ' Luka ' ( about child abuse ), 10,000 Maniacs ' ' Like the Weather ' ( depression ) and Tracy Chapman 's ' Fast Car ' ( alcoholism ) '', songs that `` shade their heavy topics under a melodic canopy ''. Ryan Reed from the publication, considered as a jazz - folk song. Critical reception Mark Moore of Contactmusic.com awarded the single 7 / 10 and stating that the song is a `` beautiful melodic track that is made by its dark lyrical content... '' Critics also praised Sheeran 's vocals. Robert Copsey of Digital Spy awarded the song 5 stars out of 5 and wrote, `` man - and - his - guitar concept is about as cliché as they come, but it 's his intelligent lyrics and softer - than - cream - cheese vocals that set him apart from the pack. '' He further praised the song commenting `` Sheeran 's frank honesty and lump - in - the - throat - like emotion are weighted by a folky melody and off - kilter acoustics. '' Chart performance The track made its debut on the UK Singles Chart at number three on 19 June 2011 -- entering as the second highest new entry behind Calvin Harris and Kelis ' `` Bounce '', which debuted at number two. On its second week charting, the single fell two places to number five -- falling a further place to number six on 3 July. On its fourth charting week, `` The A Team '' returned to its peak of number three -- where it spent three consecutive weeks. `` The A Team '' also saw chart success elsewhere, peaking at number two on the Scottish Singles. `` The A Team '' became the best selling debut single and the overall eight best selling single of 2011 in the UK, shifting 801,000 copies. As of September 2017, the song has sold 1,119,000 copies, with 46 million streams, making a total of 1,587,000 combined units. The single debuted on the Australian Singles Chart at number thirty - two, 23 October 2011. It peaked at number two for two weeks and has been certified triple platinum by the Australian Recording Industry Association ( ARIA ) for sales of 210,000 copies. On the New Zealand Singles Chart the song entered at number thirty - eight, 21 November 2011. It peaked at number three and has been certified platinum by Recording Industry Association of New Zealand ( RIANZ ) for sales of 15,000 copies. The song also peaked at number three and Irish Singles Chart. After being serviced to radio formats in US, the song made its first American chart entry on Billboard 's component Adult Pop Songs at number thirty - eight. It also debuted at number 95 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has since peaked at number 16, becoming Sheeran 's first top 20 hit on the chart. It also peaked at 29 on the Canadian Hot 100. As of February 2015, `` The A Team '' has sold 2.3 million copies in the United States. Music video The music video for the song was shot and edited by Ruskin Kyle ( Rivers Rush Video Production Company ). Sheeran refers to when he first created the demo for the song during an interview with 96.1 KISS, `` Whenever I wrote songs in the past, I never recorded them down because I did n't have a recorder but I had a Mac computer and made a video version of it. '' The original demos for `` The A Team '' were originally all recorded in this manner but not released to the public. When asked about his inspiration behind the Grammy nominated hit, Sheeran shared, `` The A Team is written about a woman that I met in a homeless shelter. '' The video was taken at around Angel underground station in Islington, London, and was uploaded to YouTube on 22 April 2010. It narrates the story of a girl addicted to drugs, living on the streets of London, played by Selina MacDonald. She tried to sell The Big Issue magazines for money, but only managed to sell one to Sheeran. The girl struggled so much that she resorted to selling her body to earn money. She may not have loved it, but it provided her with a general income. Later on, the pain became too much for her to bear and she just wanted to end it all. She traded in her `` dirty '' money for drugs, referencing the lyric ``... and in a pipe she flies to the motherland. '' In the end, the girl succumbs to her drug abuse and dies. Some relative, or perhaps friend finds her dead, hence at the beginning of the video where she is found and someone is looming over her seeming to be mourning her death. An acoustic, unplugged version of the song was also uploaded onto the official Ed Sheeran YouTube page on 10 May 2011. Live performances Ed Sheeran performed the song on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on 30 March 2012 and on the talk show Conan on 8 May 2012. Sheeran performed an acoustic version of the song live at the Diamond Jubilee Concert in front of Queen Elizabeth II on 4 June 2012. Sheeran performed the song on The Ellen DeGeneres Show along with `` Grade 8 '' on 4 October 2012 and on Jimmy Kimmel Live ! along with `` You Need Me, I Do n't Need You '' on 19 December 2012. Sheeran also performed `` The A Team '' as a duet with Elton John at the 2013 Grammy Awards on 10 February 2013. Cover versions In July 2011, Birdy covered the song at BBC Radio 1 's Live Lounge. Luca Hänni, winner of the ninth season of Deutschland sucht den Superstar performed the song in the Top 16 show on 25 February 2012. Kendall Schmidt from Big Time Rush posted a cover of the song on YouTube in June. On 17 June 2012, during One Direction 's Up All Night Tour, member Niall Horan covered the song at Anaheim 's The Theatre at Honda Center. The X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan has also used the music from the song, rewriting the lyrics from the perspective of the man who uses the services of the girl of the song, with version entitled `` The B Team ''. X Factor Indonesia contestant `` Mikha Angelo '' covered the song in the third gala show. Also, the Jonas Brothers covered the song on their tour during Latin America. In May 2013, Caroline Glaser performed the song on the live playoffs of The Voice. Felicia Hallengren did a cover at the contest Talang Ronneby 2013. In 2013 the French movie `` Les Gamins '' used a cover version by St John 's International School choir for its OST On 19 January 2013, singer Masha, covered the song on her YouTube channel, as of November 2013 Masha 's cover has received nearly 50,000 views. In January 2013, YouTube stars, Andy Lange and Chester See, made a cover on Lange 's channel. The video currently has over 140,000 views. Track listing Digital download No. Title Length 1. `` The A Team '' 4 : 18 2. `` The A Team '' ( Shy FX 's Ackee and Saltfish Remix ) 4 : 28 3. `` The A Team '' ( KOAN Sound Remix ) 4 : 39 4. `` The A Team '' ( True Tiger Remix ) 3 : 39 5. `` The A Team '' ( Acoustic ) 4 : 01 CD single No. Title Length 1. `` The A Team '' 4 : 18 2. `` The A Team '' ( KOAN Sound Remix ) 4 : 39 7 '' vinyl No. Title Length 1. `` The A Team '' 4 : 18 2. `` The A Team '' ( Shy FX 's Ackee and Saltfish Remix ) 4 : 28 Charts Weekly charts Chart ( 2011 -- 13 ) Peak position Australia ( ARIA ) Austria ( Ö3 Austria Top 40 ) 19 Belgium ( Ultratop 50 Flanders ) 18 Belgium ( Ultratip Wallonia ) 26 Canada ( Canadian Hot 100 ) 29 Canada AC ( Billboard ) 26 Canada CHR / Top 40 ( Billboard ) 40 Canada Hot AC ( Billboard ) 38 Czech Republic ( Rádio Top 100 ) 31 Czech Republic ( Singles Digitál Top 100 ) 83 Euro Digital Songs ( Billboard ) 7 France ( SNEP ) 43 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 9 Iceland ( RÚV ) 21 Ireland ( IRMA ) Israel ( Media Forest ) 6 Italy ( Hit Parade Italia ) 84 Japan ( Japan Hot 100 ) 5 Luxembourg ( Billboard ) 8 Mexico Ingles Airplay ( Billboard ) 34 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 5 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) Norway ( VG - lista ) 5 Scotland ( Official Charts Company ) Slovakia ( Rádio Top 100 ) 84 Spain ( PROMUSICAE ) 44 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 27 Switzerland ( Schweizer Hitparade ) 23 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) US Billboard Hot 100 16 US Adult Contemporary ( Billboard ) 11 US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) 6 US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) US Mainstream Top 40 ( Billboard ) 9 Year - end charts Chart ( 2011 ) Position Australia ( ARIA ) 24 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 60 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 76 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 8 Chart ( 2012 ) Position Australia ( ARIA ) 91 France ( SNEP ) 145 Germany ( Official German Charts ) 83 Japan ( Japan Hot 100 ) 98 Netherlands ( Dutch Top 40 ) 24 Netherlands ( Single Top 100 ) 28 New Zealand ( Recorded Music NZ ) 30 Sweden ( Sverigetopplistan ) 60 UK Singles ( Official Charts Company ) 118 US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) 32 Chart ( 2013 ) Position US Billboard Hot 100 ( Billboard ) 75 US Adult Top 40 ( Billboard ) 42 US Hot Rock Songs ( Billboard ) 15 Certifications Region Certification Certified units / Sales Australia ( ARIA ) 7 × Platinum 490,000 Austria ( IFPI Austria ) Gold 15,000 Canada ( Music Canada ) 5 × Platinum 400,000 Germany ( BVMI ) Gold 150,000 Italy ( FIMI ) Platinum 30,000 New Zealand ( RMNZ ) Platinum 15,000 Norway ( IFPI Norway ) 2 × Platinum 20,000 Sweden ( GLF ) 2 × Platinum 80,000 Switzerland ( IFPI Switzerland ) Platinum 30,000 United Kingdom ( BPI ) 2 × Platinum 1,119,000 United States ( RIAA ) 3 × Platinum 2,300,000 Streaming Denmark ( IFPI Denmark ) Platinum 1,800,000 sales figures based on certification alone shipments figures based on certification alone sales + streaming figures based on certification alone Release history Region Date Format Label United Kingdom 10 June 2011 Digital download Lava Atlantic 13 June 2011 CD single United States 27 August 2012 Contemporary hit radio References ^ Jump up to : Hyden, Steven ; Koski, Genevieve ( 2 November 2012 ). `` This Was Pop discovers the softer side of the rock - songs chart ''. The A.V. Club. Retrieved 19 September 2017. Jump up ^ Ed Sheeran 's debut single ' The A Team ' at number three BBC News, Retrieved 20 June 2011. Jump up ^ Hogan, Michael ( 21 February 2012 ). `` Brit Awards 2012 : as it happened ''. The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 27 February 2012. Jump up ^ Ed Sheeran at Latitude 2011 ^ Jump up to : Trust, Gary ( 17 April 2012 ). `` Chart Beat Meet & Greet : Ed Sheeran ( Exclusive Video ) ''. Billboard.com. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran -- The A Team Sheet Music ''. Musicnotes.com ( EMI Music Publishing ). Retrieved 2 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` Chart Beat Meet & Greet : Ed Sheeran ( Exclusive Video ) -- Chart Beat ''. Billboard.com. 17 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ Ed Sheeran The A Team Single Review Contactmusic.com Jump up ^ Ed Sheeran : ' The A Team ' - Music Singles Review - Digital Spy ^ Jump up to : Ed Sheeran -- ' The A Team ' -- UK Chart Stats Information Retrieved 24 July 2011. Jump up ^ `` The Top 20 biggest selling singles of 2011 revealed ! ''. Officialcharts.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012. ^ Jump up to : Copsey, Rob ( 19 September 2017 ). `` he UK 's Official Chart ' millionaires ' revealed ''. The Official Charts Company. Jump up ^ Steffen Hung. `` Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. australian-charts.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Charts -- Accreditations -- 2012 Singles ''. Aria.com.au. 30 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` NZ Top 40 Singles Chart The Official New Zealand Music Chart ''. Nztop40.co.nz. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ Billboard ( 30 April 2012 ). `` Chart Highlights : Katy Perry 's ' Part of Me ' Tops Dance / Club Play Songs ''. Billboard.com. ^ Jump up to : Official Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 Mar. 7 2015 Countdown. Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. 25 February 2015. Event occurs at 2 : 00. Retrieved 25 February 2015 -- via YouTube. Jump up ^ `` Rivers Rush -- a video production company -- Ruskin Kyle ''. Riversrush.com. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` KISS Music Theater - Ed Sheeran - Interview with Tall Cathy ''. 961KISS. Retrieved 4 February 2013. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ( Official Music Video ) ''. YouTube. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ Neil McCormick ( 4 June 2012 ). `` The Queen 's Diamond Jubilee Concert, review ''. The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 4 December 2012. Jump up ^ `` BBC Radio 1 's Live Lounge -- Birdy ) ''. BBC. 19 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Birdy -- ' The A Team ' ( Ed Sheeran Cover ) ''. OfficialBirdy / YouTube. 28 July 2011. Retrieved 15 February 2012. Jump up ^ `` Kendall Schmidt - COVER - `` A-Team '' / Ed Sheeran ``. Jump up ^ `` VIDEO : NIALL HORAN SINGS ED SHEERAN 'S THE A TEAM ( WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HARRY STYLES ) ''. Sugar Magazine ; Hachette Filipacchi Médias. 18 June 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2012. Jump up ^ `` YouTube ''. Retrieved 29 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` musicMe : musique gratuite, telechargement mp3, video - clips HD ''. Retrieved 29 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` Musique de Film : Les Gamins BO - 11. The A-Team ''. YouTube. Retrieved 29 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` iTunes - Musique - Les Gamins ( Bande originale du film ) par Various Artists ''. iTunes. Retrieved 29 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran - The A Team ( Cover by Masha ) ''. YouTube. Retrieved 29 September 2014. Jump up ^ `` The A Team - Chester See & Andy Lange ''. Jump up ^ `` Australian-charts.com -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Austriancharts.at -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in German ). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in Dutch ). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ultratop.be -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in French ). Ultratip. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Canadian Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Canada AC ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Canada CHR / Top 40 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Canada Hot AC ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 10 December 2017. Jump up ^ `` ČNS IFPI '' ( in Czech ). Hitparáda -- Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 201139 into search. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` ČNS IFPI '' ( in Czech ). Hitparáda -- Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 201702 into search. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Euro Digital Songs ''. Billboard. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Lescharts.com -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in French ). Les classement single. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Offiziellecharts.de -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ''. RÚV. Retrieved 24 May 2017. Jump up ^ `` Chart Track : Week 39, 2011 ''. Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran -- The A Team Media Forest ''. Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved 24 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Tutti i successi del 2011 '' ( in Italian ). Hit Parade Italia. Retrieved 4 August 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Japan Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Luxembourg Digital Songs ''. Billboard. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Mexico Ingles Airplay ''. Billboard. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Nederlandse Top 40 -- week 6, 2012 '' ( in Dutch ). Dutch Top 40 Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dutchcharts.nl -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in Dutch ). Single Top 100. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Charts.org.nz -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Norwegiancharts.com -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. VG - lista. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` SNS IFPI '' ( in Slovak ). Hitparáda -- Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note : insert 201130 into search. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Spanishcharts.com -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' Canciones Top 50. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Swedishcharts.com -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. Singles Top 100. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Swisscharts.com -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Official Singles Chart Top 100 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Hot 100 ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Adult Contemporary ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Adult Pop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Hot Rock Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Ed Sheeran Chart History ( Pop Songs ) ''. Billboard. Retrieved 14 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Singles 2011 ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Single Top 100 Van 2011 '' ( PDF ) ( in Dutch ). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 21 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Jaaroverzichten - single 2011 '' ( in Dutch ). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` End of Year Singles Chart Top 100 - 2011 ''. Official Charts Company. Retrieved 21 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Singles 2012 ''. Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Classement des 200 premiers Singles Fusionnés par GfK année 2012 '' ( PDF ). SNEP. Retrieved 3 February 2013. Jump up ^ `` Top 100 Single - Jahrescharts '' ( in German ). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 21 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2012 -- Japan Hot 100 Songs ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Single Top 100 Van 2012 '' ( PDF ) ( in Dutch ). Stichting Nederlandse Top 40. Retrieved 21 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Jaaroverzichten - single 2012 '' ( in Dutch ). dutchcharts.nl. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` End of Year Charts 2012 ''. The Official NZ Music Charts. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 29 June 2014. ^ Jump up to : `` Årslista Singlar -- År 2012 '' ( in Swedish ). Sverigetopplistan. Swedish Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 14 April 2014. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` End of Year 2012 '' ( PDF ). UKChartsPlus. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Adult Pop Songs : 2012 Year - end ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Best of 2013 -- Hot 100 Songs ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 13 December 2013. Jump up ^ `` Adult Pop Songs : 2013 Year - end ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 29 June 2014. Jump up ^ `` Rock Songs : 2013 Year - end ''. Billboard.com. Retrieved 8 July 2014. Jump up ^ `` ARIA Chart Watch # 464 ''. auspOp. 17 March 2018. Retrieved 17 March 2018. Jump up ^ `` Austrian single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in German ). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 4 October 2014. Enter Ed Sheeran in the field Interpret. Enter The A Team in the field Titel. Select single in the field Format. Click Suchen Jump up ^ `` Canadian single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. Music Canada. Retrieved 27 September 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gold - / Platin - Datenbank ( Ed Sheeran ; ' The A Team ' ) '' ( in German ). Bundesverband Musikindustrie. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` Italian single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in Italian ). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved 18 April 2017. Jump up ^ `` New Zealand single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 12 July 2012. Jump up ^ `` Norwegian single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team '' ( in Norwegian ). IFPI Norway. Retrieved 18 January 2013. Jump up ^ `` The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community : Awards ( Ed Sheeran ; ' The A Team ' ) ''. IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 20 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` British single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A Team ''. British Phonographic Industry. Enter The A Team in the search field and then press Enter. Jump up ^ `` American single certifications -- Ed Sheeran -- The A-Team ''. Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved 20 March 2017. If necessary, click Advanced, then click Format, then select Single, then click SEARCH Jump up ^ `` Certificeringer -- Ed Sheeran -- The A-Team '' ( in Danish ). IFPI Denmark. Retrieved 21 March 2017. Jump up ^ `` The A Team by Ed Sheeran iTunes ''. Itunes.apple.com. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2012. Jump up ^ `` The A Team -- Ed Sheeran www.amazon.co.uk/ ''. Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 5 May 2012. External links `` The A Team '' ( Music Video ) on YouTube `` The A Team '' ( Koan Sound Remix ) on YouTube `` The A Team '' ( True Tiger Remix ) on YouTube Lyrics of this song at MetroLyrics Ed Sheeran songs Discography + `` The A Team '' `` Drunk '' `` Small Bump '' `` Lego House '' `` You Need Me, I Do n't Need You '' `` Give Me Love '' `` The Parting Glass '' x `` One '' `` I 'm a Mess '' `` Sing '' `` Do n't '' `` Photograph '' `` Bloodstream '' `` Tenerife Sea '' `` The Man '' `` Thinking Out Loud '' `` Afire Love '' ÷ `` Eraser '' `` Castle on the Hill '' `` Dive '' `` Shape of You '' `` Perfect '' `` Galway Girl '' `` Happier '' `` New Man '' `` Hearts Do n't Break Around Here '' `` What Do I Know ? '' `` How Would You Feel ( Paean ) '' `` Supermarket Flowers '' `` Nancy Mulligan '' Other songs `` All of the Stars '' `` Candle in the Wind '' `` I See Fire '' `` Make It Rain '' Featured songs `` All About It '' `` Do They Know It 's Christmas ? '' `` Dreamers '' `` Everything Has Changed '' `` Hush Little Baby '' `` If I Could '' `` Lay It All on Me '' `` Old School Love '' `` Reuf '' `` Teardrop '' `` Watchtower '' `` Young Guns '' `` Boa Me '' `` End Game '' `` River '' Ivor Novello Awards -- Best Song Musically and Lyrically 1960s `` She 's Leaving Home '' ( 1968 ) 1970s `` Where Do You Go To ( My Lovely ) ? '' ( 1970 ) `` Something '' ( 1971 ) `` Do n't Let It Die '' ( 1972 ) `` Without You '' ( 1973 ) `` Daniel '' ( 1974 ) `` Streets of London '' * ( 1975 ) `` Do n't Cry for Me Argentina '' ( 1978 ) `` Baker Street '' ( 1979 ) 1980s `` The Logical Song '' ( 1980 ) `` Woman in Love '' ( 1981 ) `` Memory '' ( 1982 ) `` Have You Ever Been in Love '' ( 1983 ) `` Every Breath You Take '' ( 1984 ) `` Against All Odds '' ( 1985 ) `` Nikita '' ( 1986 ) `` Do n't Give Up '' ( 1987 ) `` Something Inside So Strong '' ( 1988 ) `` They Dance Alone '' ( 1989 ) 1990s `` The Living Years '' ( 1990 ) `` Sacrifice '' ( 1991 ) `` The Whole of the Moon '' ( 1992 ) `` Why '' ( 1993 ) `` If I Ever Lose My Faith in You '' ( 1994 ) `` Think Twice '' ( 1995 ) `` Common People '' ( 1996 ) `` Too Much Love Will Kill You '' ( 1997 ) `` Paranoid Android '' ( 1998 ) `` Believe '' ( 1999 ) 2000s `` Strong '' ( 2000 ) `` Babylon '' ( 2001 ) `` Walk On '' ( 2002 ) `` The Other Side '' ( 2003 ) `` Leave Right Now '' ( 2004 ) `` Dry Your Eyes '' ( 2005 ) `` Suddenly I See '' ( 2006 ) `` Elusive '' ( 2007 ) `` Love Is a Losing Game '' ( 2008 ) `` One Day Like This '' ( 2009 ) 2010s `` The Fear '' ( 2010 ) `` Becoming a Jackal '' ( 2011 ) `` The A Team '' ( 2012 ) `` Next to Me '' ( 2013 ) `` Strong '' ( 2014 ) `` Take Me to Church '' ( 2015 ) `` Was n't Expecting That '' ( 2016 ) `` Black Man in a White World '' ( 2017 ) * Awarded as The Best Song Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_A_Team_(Ed_Sheeran_song)&oldid=841620529 '' Categories : 2010s ballads 2011 singles Ed Sheeran songs Song recordings produced by Jake Gosling Songs about drugs Songs about homelessness Songs about prostitutes Songs written by Ed Sheeran Debut singles Black - and - white music videos Folk ballads Songs about women Hidden categories : CS1 Italian - language sources ( it ) CS1 Dutch - language sources ( nl ) CS1 German - language sources ( de ) CS1 Swedish - language sources ( sv ) CS1 Norwegian - language sources ( no ) CS1 Danish - language sources ( da ) Use dmy dates from January 2012 Use British English from January 2012 Articles with hAudio microformats Singlechart usages for Australia Singlechart usages for Austria Singlechart usages for Flanders Singlechart usages for Wallonia Tip Singlechart usages for Billboardcanadianhot100 Singlechart called without song Singlechart usages for Billboardcanadaac Singlechart usages for Billboardcanadachrtop40 Singlechart usages for Billboardcanadahotac Singlechart usages for Czech Republic Singlechart called without artist Singlechart usages for Czechdigital Singlechart usages for France Singlechart usages for Germany2 Singlechart usages for Ireland Singlechart usages for Israelairplay Singlechart usages for Billboardjapanhot100 Singlechart usages for Dutch40 Singlechart usages for Dutch100 Singlechart usages for New Zealand Singlechart usages for Norway Singlechart usages for Scotland Singlechart usages for Slovakia Singlechart usages for Spain Singlechart usages for Sweden Singlechart usages for Switzerland Singlechart usages for UK Singlechart usages for Billboardhot100 Singlechart usages for Billboardadultcontemporary Singlechart usages for Billboardadultpopsongs Singlechart usages for Billboardrocksongs Singlechart usages for Billboardpopsongs Certification Table Entry usages for Australia Certification Table Entry usages for Austria Certification Table Entry usages for Canada Certification Table Entry usages for Germany Certification Table Entry usages for Italy Certification Table Entry usages for New Zealand Certification Table Entry usages for Norway Certification Table Entry usages for Sweden Certification Table Entry usages for Switzerland Certification Table Entry usages for United Kingdom Certification Table Entry usages for United States Certification Table Entry usages for Denmark Talk Contents About Wikipedia Brezhoneg Čeština Español Euskara فارسی Français Հայերեն Italiano Nederlands Polski Português Svenska Türkçe Tiếng Việt 中文 6 more Edit links This page was last edited on 16 May 2018, at 23 : 35. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: what is the a team ed sheeran about
Answer: a prostitute addicted to crack cocaine, a Class A drug