Ed Sheeran has written and performed his first new solo song in two years for 'The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug.'

Popular 'A Team' singer Ed Sheeran lends his voice to Middle-Earth

Howard Shore's award winning epic scores for the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' have always been one of the consistently brilliant things about Peter Jackson's trilogies. They epitomise the classic and fantasy nature of Middle Earth. But this time they won't be alone as there will be a touch of contemporary thrown in as Ed Sheeran's dulcet tones will be gracing 'Desolation of Smaug'

Sheeran, is best known for such songs as 'A Team' and 'Give Me Love' but hasn't released a new solo song in almost two years. He recently co-wrote and performed a single with Taylor Swift entitled 'Everything has Changed' and was also working on his second album, which is due for release in February 2014.

However Sheeran has written and performed the rather fittingly titled song 'I See Fire', which will be released as a single, but won't feature on his new album. The song will be appearing during the end credits of 'Desolation of Smaug' and will mark a decidedly cotemporary ending to the film franchise usually known for its epic final scores.

Sheeran announced the news of his new single through Twitter, and then went on to explain that he produced and played every instrument on the track, except the cello. I mean, even Ed Sheeran has his musical limits! He says ""I got the chance to produce and play all the instruments on it apart from the cello. Managed to learn violin for a day, hope you all dig it."

Thankfully, you don't have to wait until the film to hear the song, the song has been released and is available on I-tunes as part of the Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug soundtrack, and you can also grab a cheeky listen of it over at DigitalSpy. I have to say, I'm very impressed, I had my worries that a contemporary song wouldn't work at the end of the Hobbit, but the song that Sheeran has produced is a slow perfect song reminiscent of 'The Misty Mountains.'

Using a contemporary band to make music for a fantasy series seems to be a growing trend started by 'Game of Thrones' who had guest bands such a 'The Hold Steady' and ''The National' perform an end credits song for them, and they'll have 'Sigur Ros' for Season Four.

The Hobbit Desolation of Smaug will air on the 13th December this year, but as previously mentioned the soundtrack for it is released now, including Sheeran's song. So what do you think, do you like it?

Source: uk.movies.yahoo.com