The song was released by Asylum Records UK on 7 April 2014 as the lead single from Sheeran's second studio album, × (2014).

[3][4][5] "Sing" became Sheeran's first UK number-one single and also topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.

The song, which has pop and R&B influences and was inspired by Justin Timberlake, is a departure from the folk rock sound Sheeran became known for on his previous album, +.

[10] Aside from these nations, "Sing" was released internationally on 7 April 2014, during a YouTube live chat with Sheeran.

It fits the times nicely: there's some of fellow Brit, Sam Smith, in Sheeran's rubbery falsetto, plus some of Robin Thicke's ubiquitous 'Blurred Lines' in the percussion.

But Sheeran's really got his heavy-breathing, hyper-flirtatious sights on another, older target: Justin Timberlake's solo debut, 'Like I Love You'.

In a positive review, The Guardian said that "while Pharrell's influence is writ large, there's enough of Sheeran there to prevent it coming across as horrible pastiche.

"[5] The Hollywood Reporter also gave the song a positive review, stating that "Sheeran's fragile voice, as heard on past hits like 'The A Team' and 'Lego House,' has now morphed into a confident croon, unafraid of diving into a deep bag of melismas, boisterous chants and rapid-fire rhymes in order to convince his female subject of his desires.

1 on the Australian ARIA Charts in May 2014, making it Sheeran's first ever number-one in the country, and his sixth top ten single in Australia.

[13] The song has since topped the charts in that country, giving Sheeran his second consecutive number-one single there.