Elena Jane Goulding, widely known as Ellie Goulding, is an English singer and songwriter born on December 30, 1986, in Hereford, Herefordshire, England. Raised in the small village of Lyonshall, Goulding grew up in a challenging environment after her parents separated when she was just five years old. Her mother, Tracey Goulding-Summers, single-handedly raised Ellie and her siblings on a council estate. Despite these hardships, Goulding found solace in music from a young age, learning to play the clarinet at nine and the guitar at fourteen. Her early experiences significantly shaped her determination and resilience, qualities that would later define her successful music career.
Goulding attended Lady Hawkins’ High School, where her passion for music deepened, leading her to start writing songs at fifteen. She later pursued higher education at the University of Kent, studying drama, politics, and English. It was during her university years that she began to develop her unique sound, blending folk and electronic music into what would become her signature “folktronica” style. This period marked a significant turning point in her career when she was discovered by scout Jamie Lillywhite at a university talent contest. Lillywhite, who became her manager, introduced her to producer Starsmith, a key collaborator in her early career.
In 2009, Goulding signed with Polydor Records and released her debut extended play, “An Introduction to Ellie Goulding.” The following year, her debut studio album “Lights” was released, debuting at number one on the UK Albums Chart. The album’s success was bolstered by the hit singles “Starry Eyed” and a cover of Elton John’s “Your Song.” The reissued version, “Bright Lights,” included additional hits like “Lights,” which saw significant success in the US.
Goulding’s second studio album, “Halcyon,” released in 2012, further solidified her place in the music industry. The album featured the lead single “Anything Could Happen” and was later reissued as “Halcyon Days,” which produced her first UK number-one single, “Burn.” Her collaboration with DJ Calvin Harris on tracks like “I Need Your Love” and “Outside” expanded her international appeal.
In 2015, Goulding released her third studio album, “Delirium,” featuring the lead single “On My Mind.” The same year, her song “Love Me like You Do,” recorded for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” soundtrack, earned her a Grammy Award nomination. Despite her rising fame, Goulding took a hiatus from 2016 to 2020, citing struggles with anxiety and media scrutiny.
Her return to music was marked by the release of her fourth studio album, “Brightest Blue,” in 2020, which became her third album to top the UK Albums Chart. The album included hits like “Close To Me,” “Sixteen,” and “Hate Me.” In 2023, she reunited with Calvin Harris on the single “Miracle,” which topped the UK Singles Chart for eight non-consecutive weeks.
Goulding’s fifth studio album, “Higher Than Heaven” (2023), debuted at number one in the UK, tying her with Adele for the most number-one albums by a British female artist. Over her career, Goulding has received numerous accolades, including three Brit Awards, a Billboard Music Award, and two Grammy nominations. She has also been recognized for her environmental activism, receiving the TIME100 Impact Award.
Ellie Goulding’s journey from a challenging childhood to international stardom is a testament to her talent, resilience, and unwavering determination. With over 27 million albums sold and 216 million singles, her influence on the music industry remains profound, making her one of the most successful British female singers of the 21st century.
