Ed wrote the song as a tribute to a close friend who had passed away, contributing to its "brutally honest" and "heartfelt" feel. Community Perspectives
“It's a beautiful song. Very sad since he wrote it for a friend who had passed. His voice is so soft too.” Reddit · r/EdSheeran · 11 months ago Autumn Leaves - Ed Sheeran
The song is characterized by its "softness" and minimalist production, primarily featuring Ed's voice paired with a gentle acoustic guitar. Ed wrote the song as a tribute to
Critics and listeners often highlight the "wistful" and "gentle" tone, noting that Sheeran's vocal delivery is particularly soft compared to his more upbeat hits. Autumn Leaves - Ed Sheeran