Elena Jane Goulding a.k.a. Ellie Goulding was born December 30, 1986 in Lyonshall, a small town near Hereford. She was the second of four children from Arthur and Tracey Goulding who separated when she was only five. Tracey would later remarry to a lorry driver. Ellie began writing music and learning how to play guitar at the age of 14. She was also very involved in her school's theater, leading her to take drama course, politics course and English course at the University of Kent. 

Ellie's music began taking shape during college where she got acquainted to electronic music. After two years in university, she was advised to take a break to pursue her music career. She perfected "Wish I Stayed" with Starsmith and Frankmusik and moved to West London.