Keith Urban says he wished he had written Ed Sheeran’s ‘Photograph’

There are songs that Australian country music singer-songwriter and “American Idol” judge Keith Urban wishes he had written. Among these are by Waylon Jennings, Lucinda Williams, David Bowie, Kurt Vile and Ed Sheeran.

While Urban is getting closer to finishing his eighth American studio album, titled “Ripcord,” he revealed to Rolling Stone five songs he wishes he had written. One of Sheeran’s recent hit singles is one of them.

Urban said he fell in love with Sheeran’s “Photograph” while watching everyone in the audience at Wembley sing along to it. The “American Idol” judge described the songwriting of “Photograph” as “just spellbinding.”

As a country music star himself, Urban also wishes he had written Jennings’ “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way.” He said two lines from the song managed to “hit upon the need to keep country music evolving.”

The three other songs Urban wishes he had written are Williams’ “Car Wheels on a Gravel Road,’ Bowie’s “Changes” and Vile’s “Pretty Pimpin.” Urban described Williams’ song as “timeless.”

According to Urban, Williams’ style of songwriting is cryptic, and he loves it. For him, it is what makes the song very personal.

Meanwhile, Bowie’s “Changes” is mind-blowing, and the pop architecture in his songwriting is “really exquisite,” according to Urban. When it comes to Vile’s song, the “American Idol” judge said he has no idea how it was written, but for him, it sounds like “pure stream of consciousness.”

Recently, Urban released a ballad, titled “Break on Me,” which was written by songwriters Jon Nite and Ross Copperman. Before this, he released a single, titled “ John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” which sparked speculations that he was releasing a new album.

On Tuesday, Urban confirmed that he is indeed releasing a new album called “Ripcord.” However, its release date has yet to be announced.

On Nov. 4, Urban will have a live performance with John Mellencamp at the 2015 CMA Awards at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. In 2016, he will return as a judge in the final season of “American Idol,” along with Harry Connick Jr. and Jennifer Lopez.

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