Ed Sheeran: You Either Love Me or Hate Me

Summary

Call Her Daddy Episode Summary: Ed Sheeran – "You Either Love Me or Hate Me"

Release Date: April 9, 2025

In this captivating episode of Call Her Daddy, host Alex Cooper engages in an in-depth and candid conversation with global superstar Ed Sheeran. The discussion spans a wide array of topics, from Ed’s personal life and creative process to his perspectives on fame and legacy. Below is a detailed summary of the episode's key points, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.

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1. Daily Routine and Early Mornings

Ed Sheeran opens up about his disciplined lifestyle, balancing early mornings with family life.

• Ed Sheeran [00:24]: "I'm honestly an early riser. Like, I'm an early riser and an early bedtimer, but I'd have two very young girls at home. So, like, I'm up at 5:30 every morning."

Alex notes the contrast between Ed’s early rising habits and his recent sleep patterns.

• Alex Cooper [00:40]: "Do you get a little, like, loopy? Like, are you gonna get like, weird funny or are you gonna, like, fall asleep on me?"

2. Love for Boston and Performing Venues

Ed reminisces about his favorite city, Boston, highlighting its vibrant scene and significance in his career.

• Ed Sheeran [01:15]: "I spent many nights on bar floors and club floors. And where are you originally from? Pennsylvania. Amazing. And then I went to school in Boston... these bars are epic. The people are epic."

He emphasizes Boston's unique vibe and its role as a recurring milestone in his performances.

• Ed Sheeran [01:24]: "It definitely feels European. It definitely has, like a vibe about it that every time I've gone to Boston, like, it's always been the first place for me."

3. Embracing Various Performance Styles

Discussing his approach to performances, Ed expresses his preference for spontaneous and authentic gigs over highly organized events.

• Ed Sheeran [02:09]: "I kind of. This whole entering into this album campaign, I was just like, I don't want to do anything that I've done before. And for me all of that sort of stuff is so fun. It like way more fun than like organizing a like proper gig that's ticketed and blah, blah blah."

4. Exploring American Culture: Rodeos and Country Music

Ed delves into his fascination with American cultural elements, particularly rodeos, and contemplates the idea of exploring country music.

• Ed Sheeran [05:04]: "What is one of my favorite things in America? Rodeos. Is that culture? Yes, culture."

He reflects on the challenges and nuances of transitioning into the country genre.

• Ed Sheeran [06:48]: "Once you're there, you're there. So maybe you'll do it later."

5. Thoughts on Performing at the Super Bowl

Ed shares his views on the prestigious Super Bowl stage, expressing both interest and reservations.

• Ed Sheeran [07:11]: "Have you ever been asked to do the Super Bowl? There was a conversation about 10 years ago to go on with someone..."

He contemplates the logistical and stylistic fit of his performances in such a grand event.

• Ed Sheeran [08:20]: "I think I could nail one song. I think I could. If someone brings me on, I think I could do it really well for one song."

6. Ed's Personal Space: Building a Pub and Collecting Memorabilia

Ed discusses his passion project—transforming his garden into a pub named Lancaster Lock—and his extensive collection of movie props.

• Ed Sheeran [15:49]: "Yeah, it's called the Lancaster Lock. It's basically my mum's maiden name and my wife's mum's maiden name..."

He elaborates on the inspiration behind the pub and its role in preserving family heritage.

• Ed Sheeran [16:36]: "I collect movie props, too, so I've got, like, all of that there."

7. Embarrassing Moments and Experiences

Sharing a humorous and embarrassing hotel incident, Ed highlights his human side.

• Ed Sheeran [24:48]: "I'm like, why am I doing this? Like, all my friends have just gone to university... I have to sleep at the train station."

He recounts waking up naked in a hotel corridor and the subsequent scramble to rectify the situation.

8. Changing Relationship with Alcohol and Sobriety

Ed opens up about his journey towards sobriety, motivated by the demands of his career and family life.

• Ed Sheeran [27:18]: "I'm sober at the moment, so that's definitely, like, helping the."

He explains how reducing alcohol consumption has positively impacted his energy levels and focus.

• Ed Sheeran [27:19]: "I don't want to add on an extra layer of tiredness... I'm just going to not drink and be very focused and energized."

9. Public Perception and Misconceptions

Addressing how he is perceived in the media, Ed discusses the dichotomy of being either loved or hated.

• Ed Sheeran [12:28]: "I think there's something to do with the Irish heritage, I guess that. Yeah. But yeah, I love. I love Boston."

He acknowledges the challenges of maintaining authenticity amidst overexposure.

• Ed Sheeran [13:08]: "I think that's beautiful... I'm either a tattoo person or you're not."

10. Friendships and Relationship with Taylor Swift

Ed reflects on his longstanding friendship with Taylor Swift, sharing fond memories and mutual respect.

• Ed Sheeran [39:05]: "I lived in Nashville and she lived in Nashville and we used to fly to and from the gigs together and do all sort of..."

He highlights the depth and longevity of their bond despite demanding careers.

11. Parenthood and Family Life

Discussing fatherhood, Ed emphasizes the profound changes it has brought to his life, including healthier habits and prioritizing family time.

• Ed Sheeran [50:24]: "Very dramatically, actually. Very dramatically. I think... I exercise now, never exercised before."

He shares heartwarming anecdotes about singing to his daughters and integrating music into their lives.

• Ed Sheeran [50:54]: "Yeah, all the songs, actually. And Moana, too, actually..."

12. New Music and Creative Process

Ed provides insights into his latest album project, Play, describing it as a playful and experimental departure from his previous, more somber works.

• Ed Sheeran [53:02]: "It's definitely different. I've kind of had an attitude of why the fuck not..."

He elaborates on collaborating with international musicians and embracing diverse musical influences.

13. Legacy and Inspiring the Next Generation

Concluding the conversation, Ed shares his aspirations for his legacy—hoping to inspire young musicians to pursue their passions without fear of failure.

• Ed Sheeran [55:07]: "I would love for it to seem possible to any kid out there that just wants to pick up an acoustic guitar."

He emphasizes the importance of perseverance and enjoying the creative journey over seeking immediate success.

• Ed Sheeran [56:00]: "It's about like learning from failures rather than just always your career just can't do this the whole time..."

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Notable Quotes:

• Ed Sheeran [02:09]: "I don't want to do anything that I've done before. For me, all of that sort of stuff is so fun."

• Ed Sheeran [05:04]: "I like going to countries and feeling like that's what I lived in."

• Ed Sheeran [27:18]: "I'm sober at the moment, so that's definitely, like, helping the."

• Ed Sheeran [55:07]: "I would love for it to seem possible to any kid out there that just wants to pick up an acoustic guitar."

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This episode offers a rare glimpse into Ed Sheeran's multifaceted life, showcasing his dedication to family, his relentless pursuit of musical innovation, and his heartfelt desire to inspire the next generation. Through honest reflections and engaging anecdotes, Ed presents himself not just as a music icon but as a relatable individual navigating the complexities of fame, creativity, and personal growth.

Transcript

[Alex Cooper]

What is up, Daddy Gang? It is your founding father, Alex Cooper with Call Her Daddy.

[Ed Sheeran]

Ed Sheeran. Welcome to Call Her Daddy. Hey, okay, wait. I was gonna ask you. A musician never is sitting in the seat at 9am Like, I've never had a musician.

Really?

Is that the coffee?

There we go.

Bring in the coffee.

Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. I'm honestly an early riser. Like, I'm an early riser and an early bedtimer, but I'd have two very young girls at home. So, like, I'm up at 5:30 every morning. Oh, my God. Yeah, I was up. I was up at about 6:30 this morning.

And what time did you go to bed?

3:30.

Oh, wow. So you could get like. Do you get a little, like, loopy? Like, are you gonna get like, weird funny or are you gonna, like, fall asleep on me?

Honestly, I have no idea where my body is at the moment. We've been in India, China, and then just. And then UK for a bit, and then now in America, so I'm. My body is all over the shop.

Wait, you were in Boston?

In Boston last night? Yeah.

That is one of my favorite places ever. I went to college there. So Boston to me is.

What college did you go to?

Boston University.

Amazing.

I spent many nights on bar floors and club floors.

And where are you originally from?

Pennsylvania.

Amazing.

And then I went to school in Boston. And I remember being in Boston and be like, this is the greatest fucking place. These bars are epic. The people are epic. Like, everyone just goes so fucking.

It definitely feels European. It definitely has, like a vibe about it that every time I've gone to Boston, like, it's always been the first place for me. Like the first biggest theater I played in the first arena. I played here and then the first stadium. And it's always bit. But I guess there's something to do with the Irish heritage. I guess that. Yeah. But yeah, I love. I love Boston. Last night was fun. We did. It's obviously St. Patrick's Day. And I flew the folk band that played with me on Galway Girl. I flew them over and they learned all my songs and we basically did a trad jam of. It was like a set, but it was like with an Irish trad band.

And was that where you were like, running on top of the bar singing?

No, that was in Nashville. That was a Nashville.

Oh, you've been like, getting after it.

Yeah, I've been around. I kind of. This whole entering into this album campaign, I was just like, I don't want to do anything that I've done before. And for me all of that sort of stuff is so fun. It like way more fun than like organizing a like proper gig that's ticketed and blah, blah, blah. If you just turn up somewhere and play, you still play the gig, but it's just chaotic and fun.

That's fun though, that you're at a place in your career where you're even interested in doing those type of things. Because I feel like the bigger people get, they're like, no, I don't need to go do random shit like that.

Oh no, it's the, that's. I feel like that's when you actually connect with people. I think I find it so fun. I like the balance of having all of it. Like even when I was on tour in the States last time, but I was doing a theater on a Friday and then a stadium on a Saturday and I loved the juxtaposition, juxtaposition of the two. And I think being a performer, no matter what you do in life, if you do the same thing all the time, eventually it's going to get tiresome. Even if it's playing a stadium show the whole time, which is obviously like a really, really amazing thing to do. But I, when people, I talk to people about it and they ask about doing these pop up shows to 20, 30 people, I'm like, you wouldn't eat a burger, breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day. So it's nice having little, little mix up.

We're switching.

I love it. Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

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[Ed Sheeran]

Okay. I want to get your take on some very American things as a Brit. Okay. Rodeos.

Yeah, I'm down. Okay. I like. Do you know what I like is. Is culture, and I feel like a rodeo is. Is culture. I like going to countries and feeling like that's what I lived in. I lived in Nashville for a couple of years. I lived in New York for a year. I've lived in la, like, on and off and doing things that are so specifically American, if that makes sense. Like you go to. Whenever I travel the world, I'll try and do things that feel cultural. And I feel like going to a baseball game and having a hot dog feels for me as a Brit. I'm like, this feels American. I think, like a rodeo is that for me, like, get. Getting into the swing of that would be fun. Like, I would love. I spoke to my promoter and I was like, do they do tours of rodeos? I'd love to just tour rodeos. Even if it's like, for four weeks, just do it.

Okay. You living in Nashville at that time or any time, have you ever considered doing a country album?

I think there's. Yeah, I guess so. But I. The. From living in Nashville, you can't just, like, dip your toe in. If I'm going to do it, I have to do it, and then that's it.

Do you have, like, a good twang? Like, could you pull it off?

I feel because my heritage is. Is sort of Anglo Irish, and I grew up with trad music in my household. I think it would have to be a little twinge of that. I think I'd have to bring Irish trad music into country because it's all kind. It's the same instruments anyway. But, yeah, so I wouldn't have a twang. But I've made. I've made country songs in the past. They've just never come out. I feel like I have to. I have to do it probably properly. And I think when you transition to country, you can't transition back. Once you're there, you're there.

So maybe you'll do it like your later.

100%. Nashville is like my favorite city in. In the States, and I would. Yeah, it's always been like, my end goal would be, like, I'm going to move to Nashville and transition to country. But, yeah, I think you just have to do it properly. It's like a. It's a genre you have to really respect, and it's not just dip in and out.

I get it. Okay. The Super Bowl.

I like it.

Have you ever been asked to do the Super Bowl?

There was a conversation about 10 years ago to go on with someone, and I think that'd be the only way that I would do it at the moment. I don't think I've had this conversation before. I don't think English artists are like. I mean, there are some that have the pizzazz of super bowl fireworks, dances, blah, blah. But me going up there and being like, here's the A team and here's perf. I just, like, no one wants to see that. Whereas if there was a show with a lot of that, like, say, like, if it was Beyonce show and she had all the kind of bells and whistles, and then there was a moment where we sung perfect together, that makes sense to me. But me, I don't know. I can't. I can't picture myself doing it. Can you picture me doing it as you're talking?

I'm trying to picture it.

Yeah.

What. What if it's like a spotlight and 15 minutes?

You know, I would definitely go on and do it with. With someone, I think. I think, yeah, just to do the super bowl, but I don't think my set lends itself to that. I don't know. I just, you know, like, you got horses for courses. You got to do what, like, suits you.

Don't get it twisted. I really appreciate the self awareness. Like, most people would be like, call me whenever and put me in. You're like, you know, I don't know if I've got that side of the things where I'm, like, going out and outfit changes.

I think I could nail one song. I think I could. If someone brings me on, I think I could do it really well for one song. But I can't just my. The catalog that I have doesn't really lend itself. Have you seen me play as well? Because it's with a loop pedal and you have to build the things. Doesn't really lend itself to the Super Bowl. Hey, hang on, guys. I just got to set this up for two minutes. You know, it doesn't really.

And also, like, you saying, like, and I come out and I'm singing like, 18. Like, everyone just starts sobbing in the Audience and is, like, getting in their.

Feels, and then they just go and get a beer. This is so comfy here. Are you.

Isn't this cozy?

Comfy?

I wanted you to feel like you can really. Like, you could take off your shoes. You don't have to take off your shoes, but some people take off the shoes very clean. Okay, don't take off your shoes. Keep your shoes on. Ranch dressing.

I got really into ranch dressing when I lived in Nashville, and then I got really fat. So I've kind of, like, eased off the ranch dressing a bit. I'm more of a, like, balsamic vinegar boy.

Sorry, what? Yeah, a bell salmon.

Balsamic vinegar. You've never had that?

Oh, balsamic.

Oh, right. Yeah. I have this in restaurants where I say water, and they're like, what? Oh, water, water.

Wait, say balsamic.

Balsamic.

Oh, my God. I thought you said a full salmon. You said a ball sack. No, I thought you said a ball salmon then. Right, okay. Yeah. Okay. So you're into your balsamic vinaigrette?

Yeah.

Oh, hell.

You know, we have a cider where I'm from in. In Suffolk that's like. It's like the number one cider in. In the uk and it's called Aspels. And I was saying that to a friend, and he was like, y'all have a cider called Ass Balls? You never see it.

It does sound like that. What is it?

Aspels. It's like. It's. Well, it's a. It's a side. It's like a. Oh, you guys would call it a hard cider.

What is your favorite thing to eat when you're here?

Chicken wings. But the chicken wings are, like, the size of my fist. And when you see the chicken wings in England, they're like, you know, actual chicken wings. They're quite, like, meager and, you know. But here, it's like you're literally eating steroids.

They're pumping them with all that, and then we're, like, eating it and chicken wings. Okay. The best American fast food chain, in your opinion?

Five guys, I think, everywhere around. Around the world. But I'd say when I'm in America, whataburger In Texas, I think that that burger bangs the most in terms of all the burgers that I've had. What. What? A burger bangs. But if there's. It's an American fast food chain around the world, I'd usually go five guys or I fuck with KFC as well, man. I really like kfc. Yeah.

We. Have you had In N Out?

Yes, I've had. I've had in. I do like In N Out, but I feel like there needs to be a wide, wide lens view on a fast food restaurant. And I don't think In N Out's chips, but bang. Sorry, they're fries. I don't think they bang. Whereas KFC actually do the best fries. KFC fries bang.

What?

They bang.

I've never had. I've never had their fries.

Oh, yeah, Yeah.

I need to go.

And I think this about Burger King as well, because I've never really been keen on Burger King's burgers, but their fries are always good.

Oh, their fries are so good.

But yeah, kfc. KFC Fries bucket. I actually made both kids the night before. We stayed at my manager's house and both my children the night before. We had a big family bucket that was like our initiate. Big family bucket. And a bottle of Dominus. You know Dominus, Red wine from Napa.

Yeah.

Really nice wine with a family bucket.

That is, like, so high, low. You're like, eating kfc, then you're, like, drinking your nice wine. You're like, this is life. Okay. How do we feel about Disneyland?

My kids like Disney. We went to Disneyland. They weren't like. They just weren't fucking with it. And it was sort of like I wanted. I wanted to sort of see them go, wow. But they were just sort of like, I don't know.

Yeah, I think it's. There is no one that's like, that was fine. It's either like or, yeah, I'm getting married there.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Which I think is great. I think it's great. I think, like, I find anything in life that has to be those extremities. That's what I feel about my music is I either have people that really hate me or really love me. There's no kind of, like, passive. Yeah. Yes. And I think that middle bit is what you have to avoid that, like, yes, it's all right. Like, you have to be, like, fanatical about something or, like, I don't like that thing.

So you would rather someone be like, fuck Ed Sheeran rather than be like, he's all right.

Yeah. That's been my entire career. And that's how. That's how you have a fan base, is people that people really ride for you or they really fucking want to take you down.

Why do you think people don't like you?

I don't know. I think that sometimes overexposure goes into it. Like, songs being on the radio too much. I think also, I don't, like, necessarily fit the social norm of what a pop star should, like, look like or act like. And I don't know if that, like, rubs people up the wrong way that I do look like their brother who works at a peach shop. I feel like people are like, why? Like, why has that happened? And maybe that annoys them. And then you pair that with the overexposure.

And has anyone ever, in the beginning days of your career, tried to convince you, like, wait, let's dress like this and cut your hair like this and do this?

Yeah, And I think you kind of. I've sort of like, slipped into that as well. Especially, like, because of the. The era that I came up in was, you know, Justin Bieber was massive, One Direction were massive. And I think there was always part of me that goes, should I sort of look like that?

What would that have looked like? What would we have done?

I just don't. I don't look like that as a. Like, it's like dressing a mannequin that just doesn't need to be dressed like that, you know? So I feel like I always have to stay true to, like, who I am. And also, my fan base from the beginning started out kind of missed Fitzy. Like, me and my gigs were just full of people that, you know, it was like ripped jeans, baggy, you know, Converse, big shirts. Rather than we're getting clammed up to go out to the gig. It might, like, have segued into that now that the gigs are bigger and people have got older. But I found being a misfit, I attracted misfits.

Yes. I do remember the, like, Tumblr era photos of you. And those were cool. Okay, I liked that side. But then I get what you're saying. Like, I couldn't have seen you in, like, a purple leather get up with, like, a backwards hat and, like. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. I think it's good that you stay.

Maybe when I'm up, maybe the super bowl, maybe that's when I debut it.

Oh, my God, you're gonna come out at the Super Bowl. You're gonna have a full leather get up. And then the year after, you're gonna go right to country music, and you're gonna wear a cowboy hat for the rest of your career.

And actually leather trousers, you could reuse them on both, because you being a bear cowboy, you got to have some leather there, you know?

Do you own any leather trousers?

Yes. Yeah, because I dressed up as Edward Scissorhands. For. I did a Christmas. I do a Christmas party every year with my best friends. I'm dressed up as Edward Scissorhands. So I was like, full leather.

How did that go?

I had to take off the jacket after about 10 minutes. I was like, I am hot. And bear in mind, this is December in England when it's freezing and I was still roasting.

Oh, interesting.

Leather trousers on. I don't with them.

Okay. Can we talk about your home in England? You built a pub.

Yeah.

In your garden.

Yeah.

Explain how. Why. What was the inspiration?

I think, like, there was a local pub that I would always go to, and I still do go to it, but there's. You can never really let loose the way that you used to be able to. As in my teenage years, you know, you go to a pub to blow off steam, and I think it sort of turned into. Everyone always knew that I went to this place, so I don't know. You could never really get to the point where you're actually, like, blowing off steam and proper drunk, because you have to kind of keep an eye out on anything. You know, anything could happen. So there was a dilapidated barn on my land, so I was like, we could just turn it into a pub. So I bought an old pub off ebay, like the kind of the counter and the whatever.

On ebay?

It was on ebay? Yeah, on ebay. It was just an old pub that had sort of taken the sort of shelving and counter and stuff. And then I got all the plumbing wiring. I don't even know the pipes put in. And it's sort of like. It's a room for memorabilia. I think Cherry was like, eventually, those that. There's so much in the house that actually just having it all in one place. Like, even just, like, meeting this football player and having a shirt sign and having it on the wall. Like, it's better having it there than in the bedroom.

Absolutely. She's like, take all of your shit.

It's basically. I have. Because there's, like, a tunnel to it, and in the tunnel, there's like. I built, like, a listening room, and there's a cinema, and that's kind of my. I'd say it's less of, like, a man cave and more of a man catacombs.

I love that for you. Cherry's like, go and be gone and, like, do your thing.

Because I collect movie props, too, so I've got, like, all of that there.

What is your favorite movie prop that you have?

I'm a huge hook fan. So I bought Robin Williams's pan costume and Rufio's sword and then Julia Roberts's Tinkerbell costume. So probably those two.

How much above? Six figures.

No, no, no. It's not on those. I have done on props before. Like, I bought C3PO. That was not cheap.

Do you regret it?

No. I do it every birthday. I just buy one proper year and for my birthday instead, like, it's like, the thing that I look forward to, I think, all year. What am I gonna get? There's always a movie prop auction around that time. And, yeah, I choose one thing.

And is there anything out there that you're like, I've got my eye on this?

Yeah. Because the auctions coming up, I'm trying to get the George Clooney Batman costume because everyone doesn't like the Batman and Robin film, but that was my first Batman film that I saw. So I have a real, like, draw to that movie. I bought the Alicia Silverstone Batwoman costume from that. So it would be like a matching we.

So are you going to these auctions?

It's online. It's online.

You're like an ebay guy, huh?

Yeah, but I spend a lot of time in hotel rooms. My main. My main hobby outside of music is movies. That's like the. The only. I do, like, I do music, and when I'm not doing music, because I'm. It's shows and studio, and I do that pretty much, like, 95% of the time where I'm not, like, doing home family stuff. And then if I've got spare moments, I watch movies. So it's. Those are, like, my two passions.

What are your top three movies?

Goodfellas, Cool Runnings, and this. This would be like. I don't know if everyone would see this, but I want to watch it every single year. I think love actually is a masterpiece. Every single year I watch that, and every single year, I'm not tired of it. And those three films I could watch anytime, any place good. I'm reading Goodfellas again at the moment. That movie just. I can't ever tire of it. Cool Runnings. I can't.

I've never seen Cool Running.

Oh, Cool Runnings is a phenomenal film. It's really, really worth watching. It's kind of humorous, heartwarming. It's not like the Hollywood ending where I'm not going to ruin it for you, but I don't. I mean, it's a really, really perfect movie.

Now I got to watch it. No spoilers. Okay, so we're going for the Batman costume.

Yeah. I'm glad. This isn't going to come out within the next two weeks, is it?

Oh, because you want to make sure you get it.

I want to make sure I get it. Yeah.

Can you give me a ballpark of how much you're willing to spend?

I would go up to six figures for it, I think, Ed, that's, like, history, though. It's history. It's like, you know, someone bought the red slippers, Dorothy's red slippers, but they spent, like. I think they spent, like, 25 mil on them.

Do you wish you had gotten those?

I have never seen the wizard of Oz. Yeah. My list. But as soon as I had kids, there were certain films that I was planning on seeing. I was like, I'll just wait to watch them with my kids. But, yeah, I've never, never seen the Wizard.

Get ready. It's. It's a great one. But look at you. You're, like, ashamed.

I'm kind of ashamed about it, yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

You're allowed to say it.

[Ed Sheeran]

No one can come for you. You. You are a movie person. You've been busy. You're watching other things. That hasn't been top priority. Does your pub have a name?

Yeah, it's called the Lancaster Lock. It's basically my mum's maiden name and my wife's mum's maiden name because they both. Yeah, I think I wanted to sort of immortalize their maiden names. I feel like even more getting married and having daughters, it's sort of like I want to preserve. It's kind of weird, like, the old tradition of taking names away and having names there. You know, our daughters have both of our last names. And I sort of wanted to preserve my mum's maiden name and my wife's mum's maiden name in something that was.

Permanent, that is the, like, for women around the world listening, Everyone seemed like, yeah, he's a really great guy. Because do you know how many men. And they're like, toxic masculinity. Can't handle the concept of, like, what do you mean, you're not gonna take my last name? Or what do you mean you're not.

That's how I grew up, though. Yeah. That's the only thing that I knew, like, my mum had my dad's name. And, you know, I come from a very large Irish Catholic family. Sheeran was the name. And I think it wasn't until getting married and having daughters, where your perception of it shifts you. I think you have to, like, you can't just be Born and just believe things. You have to kind of experience and be brought over. And now I very, very much believe that that should be the case, that you should obviously keep both identities when you have children.

Yeah, I think that's beautiful. Sorry, I'm obsessed with this pub idea. Can you explain to me how many people, like, are you throwing ragers in this thing?

Yeah. Yeah. But I think if you're throwing a rager, it should be, like, five people. I think that's like, all like, 12. Five to 12 people is a really good night. I do. We built a chapel on our. On our land, and we do, like, Christmas carols there. And then after the Christmas carols, everyone comes in for, like, mulled wine and mince pies and stuff. That's like, we can hold 40 or 50 people, but it's like a crammed space in that we.

You're not singing Christmas carols all year round. Just. You're talking about at Christmas.

Yeah.

Okay. I thought you were saying no every week we're doing Christmas. Or are you?

No, we do. I do. You know, it's. I. I know it sounds weird to, like, sort of build an infrastructure on your property where you don't have to leave it, but I feel like so much that I want. There's certain moments you just want to spend with your family and not have someone filming you while you're doing it. Especially, like, whether it's something like that at Christmas or whether it's memorial or. There's just certain, like, intimate moments you want to have. Like that.

I don't think it sounds weird at all. I actually. It's refreshing to hear you're like. In a beautiful way. Not that you can't complain about it, but you're like, I'm just gonna take matters into my own hands, and I now have the resources and the funds that I'm gonna, like, build this thing so that I can, like, go to my pub and I can go to.

The chapel, but I. I let other people enjoy. Like, my security guy got married in my chapel, and that was, like, really lovely. Really, really lovely. So the chapel is like. It's there.

Yeah. Like, sign up if you want to get married and you come by. Which celebrity would you like to invite to the Garden Pub?

I had a glimpse of what a night with Post Malone would be like with. We hung out in New York at Global Citizen Festival. I actually bought him a. I found this company that do the huge vinyl dinosaurs that you get at zoos. You know, the ones that, like, the size of Buildings.

Yeah.

So I've sent him a T. Rex because we were sort of joking about it and he was just like, yeah, yeah, send me one whenever I live here. And. And it's done and it's gonna arrive and he's gonna get this fucking huge T. Rex that is just gonna. And I've only met him once, so he's just gonna be like, what the fuck? But I feel like, because I hung out with him for that amount of time and I can sense the kind of person he is. I think he's going to appreciate it, but I think he would be the hang I'd want. I'd want a couple of days hang with him.

No. Post Malone is like one of those people that when you're in a room with him, even if you're in a room for. With him for like a couple minutes, you're immediately like, I need 19 more hours with you. This is.

He's a really sweet guy. Really sweet guy, yes.

What is the most embarrassing thing you can recall of just like a drunken night, whether you're with your friends or you're out?

I've never said this publicly, but I'm gonna say it. I was playing a city in Europe, this is like 2018, 2019, and my best mate was out with his mum and his. His sister. And we sort of started drinking espresso. Not espresso. What they call Cafe Patron.

Oh, yeah.

And then I went to bed and I got up in the middle of the night to have a pee and I was sleeping naked and I walked out to have a pee. And then I hear a door close and I open my eyes and I'm in the corridor naked, no key. It's like 4am And I'm like, oh, my God, what am I gonna do? And I'm kind of looking around and as I look around, it's like, cctv, cctv. And I'm like, oh, this is not good. And there was like, room. Someone had had room service. And I went to go and get the napkin and I put the napkin on, clicked the lift, went down to the lobby. Bear in mind, it's like 4am there's like people working in the hotel. I'll just kind of walk with this thing. I was like, please can you let me back in my room? And please can you not tell anyone about this? And my security guard went to go and wipe all the cct. Well, he told me he wiped it. He might have. Might have kept it for blackmail late later on down the line. But yeah, Ed, I Think that's the most embarrassing thing that I've ever done.

What was the reaction of the people standing at the front desk?

It was very much sort of like you could see their eyes widen and be like, you're at me going, please just don't ask and don't tell anyone.

Just the thought of also, like, you walking down and 4am Those people are probably, like, so not paying attention to what's going on. They're, like, half asleep, and then just like, Ed Sheeran walks into the lobby naked, holding a napkin.

Yeah, yeah.

Did you wake up in the morning and, like, fully comprehend what you did, or did you go back to bed easily?

I went back to bed, yeah. Because I was like, nothing's going to change the fact that just happened. You know, I messaged my security guard and I was like, please, can you wipe the footage? But, yeah, I'm sort of like, nothing's going to change. And also, like, it's a very human mistake.

Oh, yeah, for sure. For sure. So casual. Everyone's done that, right?

No, everyone could do that, though.

True. Very true.

Everyone could do that. I definitely. I then bought pajamas and I started sleeping in pajamas.

Every time you're on the road, you're like, put something on my body. Just.

Well, I don't. You know what? I'm sober at the moment, so that's definitely, like, helping the. Not doing stupid shit.

How is that going?

Good. I just, you know, I saw the schedule for this year of album release, and I was like. Because I'm. I'm basically. I'm flying all around the world and then flying home and being dad as well, and I'm like, I don't want to. I don't want to then add on an extra layer of tiredness on that. So I'm just going to not drink and be very focused and energized, I guess.

That's amazing. I feel like that is a underrated thing, that when you're going so hard with work that you think that you need, like, a drink at the end of the night to relax you. But then I've been feeling it recently where I'm like, I just wake up feeling like. Like there's a movie.

So I get. I get in and I'll put on a movie. And actually, that sort of does the job because you kind of relax into the movie, and then by the end of it, you can just go to sleep rather than being. Because I also find when you drink, you never really have a proper sleep anyway because there's so much sugar. In your body.

I have the worst sleeps. And even if you have like one drink, it still is affecting you. Okay, maybe, maybe that's in my future. We'll see.

I'm not going to be sober for forever, but I've definitely changed my relationship with alcohol because I used to drink every single day. Every single day. Not like I'm not a spirits guy and I'm not really. I kind of do beer a little bit, but I'm more like a wine guy at the end of the day. But now I'm not doing that. Me and my wife do date night once a week and I feel like that will be the time when I do start drinking to. We'll do a bottle of wine together that night rather than like every single night having to have something.

I love that for you. I do want to know what do you think is the biggest like misconception about you?

I don't really know because I feel like all the, all the misconceptions that are about me, people don't, they're people that don't know me. So I think that there's lots of things flying about the, the Internet, there's like rumors that also like really gather steam because I think that people want to believe them. There's all these things that like come out and unless I actually come out and go, these things didn't actually happen. People just run with it because I think they like, they. People love negative stories like that. And yeah, I think that there's just, I think being in the public eye, there's just always, always a lot of misconceptions about you. But I think unless someone actually knows me as a person, they can't pass judgment on who I am.

Do you think you handle being in the public eye?

Well, I, this has been my life since I was 19. So I think that the first five years, six years of my life, no, I really didn't. And I really struggled with it. Relationships wise. Not just romantic, but just relationships in my life. Friendships, family, everything, like it just, everything shifted. And I know people go, you know, when someone becomes famous, they change that, this. But genuinely I didn't. For the first three years I was, I was exactly the same person. And everyone around me changed just in their way of treating me or acting or talking or like leaking things or doing this or doing this. And then, and then you start changing and you become a paranoid fucker and then it all starts sort of like shifting. So I think at the beginning it's that transitional period where you're just Trying to work out how. Who you are and whether I am my stage name and that's me the whole time and I'm pop star and I'm this. Or whether there's like, two human beings and I can be, you know, a son to my mum without having to be a pop star, or like a husband without having to be a pop star. And then sort of like separating the two. And I think over the last. Since COVID really being at home and separating the two and knowing that it's quite. It's a really, really fun job to dip into, you know, it's really fun. It's really fun to be a pop star for the night and go to the Grammys and sort of be like, wow, look at everyone. But then it's important to be able to go home and be like a regular human being. And I think that's why I don't live in Los Angeles, because I don't think I'd ever switch off. I think I'd always just be pop star.

I think that makes sense. I think it's healthy for you to have, like, a good balance. Like, you're talking about being like, I can go work nine to three and then I go home and I'm like, with my daughters and my wife, and I'm having, like, a pretty normal life. And then I'm going to the pub in my backyard, and then we're going to the lake and then we're going to the chapel, and it was a full day and it was like. But I think you have to create that world for yourself, because you're right. If you do just keep working, then you are just like Ed Sheeran, where people are thinking you're just like this pop star and you're mega famous and you're so rich. And then it gets to people's heads and it's like, you need to have some semblance of normalcy.

And honestly, Cherry is the biggest grounding force. Like, anytime that anything is a little bit, like, a little bit too Hollywood, she's like, bro, come on, it's. And it's really. And especially because I grew up with her, there's. There's always just a lens of Suffolk over it of just like, come on, man. Like, I tried to build a bowling alley in our. In our backyard. And she was just like, come on, man, you don't need that.

She's like, the chapel and the pub are enough. Are you good at bowling already?

No.

Do you like bowling?

Yeah.

Okay. Yeah.

Everyone likes bowling.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

I Think I'll become good at bowling. I think as long as it's not on the property. I think she's. She's. I think she just wants to. She doesn't want our kids growing up and it being like, you know, the Richie Rich Houseworth. There's literally McDonald's in the. Have you seen Richie Rich?

Yes, but, like, so long ago.

Classic Macaulay Culkin.

You should do something with, like, movies. I didn't realize you were this into movies.

I mean, I've got a letterboxed. No one knows I have a letterboxd, but I do have a letterboxed.

We explain.

Well, I just review movies online for myself, just to log them. Just to see what I've. I've watched. I have no followers on it. Like, it's literally. I've just logged the films I watch.

Ed. Wait, what?

No one reads it, though. It's just for me to, like, log it.

Wait, why wouldn't you let it be public?

It is public.

But no one knows it's you. What's your user?

I guess they'll find out now. I think it's more fun for people. For people to find it. I've people. I watch Gladiator 2 and there's a character in it who's like, the really crazy emperor that has syphilis.

Oh, my God. Yeah.

Apparently based on me. So that is my profile picture. Is that. Is that emperor?

We. What?

I saw an interview with him where he's like, Ridley Scott based his character on me. I don't know if I'm offended, you know, or very complimented. Thank you very much, Ridley. Where was my call?

Because as a moviegoer, you're like, oh, my God, like, they're basing something on me. But then that character is, like, character was pretty.

Yeah. Obscene.

Kind of fucking crazy. Okay, we do. Would your username. Would we be able to find you?

Yeah.

What is it? Like, Ed Sheeran?

No, it's like. It's similar to my Instagram. It's like Teddy. I think maybe it's Ted's. It's Ted or Teddy something.

Oh, I'm going to look it up. Yeah, start Googling. What is something embarrassing that you used to care about, like, growing up when you were younger or in your, like, early teens that you don't really care about anymore?

I think it would be, like, the older that I've got in the music industry. I think that the first, like, five years of my career, everything worked and went well. And then the first, like, song that didn't Work or like flopped. That was like a real like learning curve for me. And I think the older I get, the more I'm like, those moments are gonna happen. But it's about the kind of overall catalog that you're building. And I think my rule has just always been make music that I can stand behind. Sometimes it will work and sometimes it won't, but as long as I like it, that's kind of all that matters. And yeah, I think I used to be quite embarrassed about that when I was like 24, 25, because obviously, like, it's never fun putting a load of work into something that. And then you put it out there on the line and you're like, this has to work. And then when it doesn't. I think at the time there was like a transitional period of me sort of living with that. And now I think that I. It's kind of like what I'm saying about like these pop ups and stuff like that. Like my rule for everything now is I just have to really enjoy it. And then the success or not success kind of comes secondary to that.

I think that's beautiful because I feel like also as a creative, you have to know that sometimes you don't need extreme success to enjoy what you're doing. Because sometimes as long as you actually really believed in it.

Well, that's the whole point. That's why we get into it, isn't it? That's the whole. That's the whole point of it. And I think that also it's about like realistic expectations. I think that my second and third record and first to a point, but second and third record was so big that it's, you know, aiming for that every single time is just not realistic. And they both happened kind of by accident. It just clicked. And so it's just something will click, something won't click, something will click. Like there's so many songs in my career that I didn't expect to do well that ended up becoming massive over time that it's again, just make shit. You, like, put it out. You have to give it the best opportunity as well. You have to work every single song the same as you worked all the other songs. And so the rest follows.

What is the song that surprised you the most that popped off that you're like, what the actual fuck?

I put out a song called Afterglow that charted at like 92. And it was the first time anything that I put out within that, that 10 year period had charted outside the top 10. And I remember being like, oh, oh, my God. And then over time, it climbed to number two and ended up having. It's almost like half a billion streams now. But it's such a. Like, it's such a learning curve of just, like, sometimes you just gotta let things sit and then they find their audience, and I close my set with that now. It's like a really important song within my set list. But I remember that week being like, oh, my God. Why?

Because. Did you not love it as much when you.

No, I loved it. It's just like going. When I just saw it going at 92, I was like, oh, maybe I'm wrong.

That's a nice feeling though, right?

Yeah, definitely.

Let's talk about your tattoos. Do you have any, like, what do you think of all of your tattoos? What has the best story behind it for you?

They've all got stories, really. I think my left arm is my first five years of my career. My right arm is kind of the next five years. And then I got my chest and back done, and my back is kind of the most recent one. I like my. I got my kids footprints, like, the week that they were born, so I quite. I quite like that because they're tiny and obviously they're a lot bigger now. My legs have actually started being my kids drawing books. So my daughter's just done a little bunny rabbit for my leg. And you can put, like, the date of it. It's quite nice seeing it.

Wait, does she come up to you and be like, dad, get this as a tattoo. Or you like going and looking at their drawings and be like, genius and going.

Sort of that. Yeah, sort of that. Now she's like, she'll draw something and be like, get it as a tattoo. But, yeah, I think I'm gonna get one each for each of them every year.

Is there ever a tattoo you've wanted to remove?

I think if I was to remove one, I'd remove all of them. I think that. I kind of believe that about tattoos is you're either a tattoo person or you're not. And I. Yeah, I think if I was going to remove, I'd go completely nothing or. Because I kind of see it as one tattoo. It's like one long story. Yeah.

Beautiful. Okay. You and Taylor Swift have been friends for decades. I'm a big Swiftie. What has been your favorite memory together?

That's a good one. Do you know what? I. I have this. I was in these court cases for, like, two years. Well, I mean, it was a lot longer than two years, but there was one each year. And I had to go through all my old devices to give them like, you know, voice notes and blah, blah, blah for the lawyers to have. And going through all my old texts with people that I've known for that for that long, it was really like nostalgic going through. And I think that the period of time that I was on the Red tour would have been, you know, I lived in Nashville and she lived in Nashville and we used to fly to and from the gigs together and do all sort of, I don't know, I literally spent almost every single day with her for about six months. So I think that period of time and I do, you know, I see her when I see her, I probably see her like four times a year. And we do what, what I said, like instead of catching up the whole time, we have like proper sit down, six hour catch ups. And I think that that's like a really nice way to, to do it, but I think that period. Yeah, 2013, it's beautiful.

Okay, which of your love songs is your wife's favorite?

Oh, it's actually track 13. It's the last track on this new record and it wasn't, it was meant to be a 12 track album and there was this song that from the beginning of writing it, she was obsessed with and she kept being like, is it on their album? Is it on the album? And I was just like, I played it to lots of people and it didn't have the same reaction as, as everything else. And in the end I just gifted it to her and I just went, I'm just going to put this on just for you and you can, you can name it what you want to name it. And like. Yeah, so, so that I think is her favorite. And yeah, it just exists because of her basically.

Wait, that's so sweet. Wow, that's so nice to just be like, yeah, I told my husband to put it on. So it's just for me, it came from.

I spent a bit of time working with bono from, from YouTube and he gifted this song called, you know, the Sweetest Thing. Oh, the sweetest thing. He gifted that to his wife. He missed, I think he forgot her birthday. And then he wrote a song for her and then just said, you can just have this song. And like all the proceeds go to like a charity of her choice and stuff. And so I had heard that story hanging out with him and his wife and I came home and told Cherry that and yeah, I think they kind of was born out of that.

That is beautiful. You have Obviously written so many songs for huge artists. Is there any song that you wish you had kept for yourself?

No, because I think that they all have their own space and stories. And I do honestly believe that like a song like Little Things for One Direction does not exist in the same way. If I sing it, that they sing it. I think it came at like a pivotal point of their career and was what it was. And I think same thing for like, I don't know, Love Yourself with Justin. I think it came at. It came after. What do you mean? And sorry. And it was like stripped back and the perfect point. I don't think if I'd have sung it, it'd be the same. And east side with Paul's include, it was like Benny's first single. I think if I'd have released that, that wouldn't have been. Yeah, I think they all. They all hold their own space, I guess. And if I'd have done it, maybe I wouldn't have done it properly.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Is there any song of yours that you are secretly sick of playing?

No. Honestly, no. And I think that it goes back to what I was saying of like, you have to be able to stand behind it. I think if you. If you compromise yourself in music to like, do a certain thing, like reach a certain fan base or like, whatever, and you can't stand behind it, if it. If it doesn't work, then you've kind of failed in your mission because you've made it to work. And if it works, then you have to play it for the rest of time. So I'm very, very careful that everything that I make, I have to. I have to be confident enough to sing it for forever. And also, if. Even if you've sung a song 2000 times, it's always different every time you play it with the. The crowds. So. So yeah, I'm not really sick of playing anything, really.

Okay, let's break down some of your lyrics.

Okay.

I'm gonna give you a lyric and you're gonna tell me the meaning behind it or any story. Okay. He's got his eyebrows plucked and his asshole bleached. What are you referring to Ed?

Oh my God. Yeah. Do you know what? That's a song called Newman and I actually haven't heard those. I haven't sung that song in years. It's basically. I don't know, it was a 27 year old's take on that, you know, like being. Being the ex boyfriend and sort of. I don't know.

I think it's beautiful.

Yeah. I wrote that with Jesse Ware, actually. We had a lot of fun writing those lyrics because it was all just kind of like throwing out stuff that we all thought was a bit funny.

Have you ever had an ex call you out for writing a song about them?

Of course. Yeah, of course. But I'm a songwriter, like, I always say, like. And I've dated songwriters in. In the past as well, and it's kind of one of those things that I've got to be able to take it as well as write it. And I think that, you know, it's the good and good and bad and. And also, like, writing songs is. It is the two extremes. It's the same thing. You can't write a song about a feeling that's like, yeah, my day was all right today. And I kind of write about it either is like, I am the most in love that I've ever been, or I am the, you know, most hurt or blah. But it's like two extremes, and those. Those are the things that come out and also those things that connect with people. So, you know, you can listen to an artist's songs and be. And be like. Well, they only really. They're either. Like, they either love someone really much, they hate someone, but those are the times that you write songs that actually feel something.

Yeah.

You know, so. So, yeah, I've definitely had. I wouldn't even say arguments, conversations. And I think that because I've been a songwriter since I was 11, that anyone that I've been romantically involved with at least knows that you take the good with the book because you're gonna. Like, they are. There will be both sides. You will. You will get both sides.

You know, would you. Often, back in the day, would you just, like, press upload or. Were you ever giving people a heads up? It was.

Yeah, I've always given people heads up unless I haven't been in touch with them anymore. I mean, obviously there's like, breakups of people you just don't speak to anymore. But, yeah, there's. Yeah, I feel like I have a good enough relationship with my exes that.

Yeah, you could be like, hey, a banger's coming. Get ready. This one slaps. You want to hear it? They're like, fuck you.

Yeah, fucking hell.

Well, okay. They say I'm up and coming like I'm fucking in an elevator.

I wrote that when I was 15. I was really proud of that line.

It's pretty good.

Thank you.

It's pretty good. What headspace do you think you were in when you wrote that?

I loved rap battles. I loved rap battles. So I would. There was. I would be watching like online. There was a couple of like, leagues in the uk. There was Jump off and. And Don't Flop. And those were the two that I would like watch as a te teenager. And it was all about metaphors and similes and just saying clever line after line and punch lines and stuff. So I would. That was. I was in a phase of writing songs where I was just trying to fit in punchlines. And when I wrote that, it went down so well at gigs from the age of 15 as well. Everyone's just like, oh, that song that it just kind of stayed in. It's quite weird actually singing that song as a 34 year old, having written it at 15 because you're singing it and like, this is so different to how I am now. Even, like, I have lines. I'm like, I spit fast. I know that all my shit's cool. I will blast. And I never went to Brit school. And like, I'm singing it as a 34. 4 year old dad now on stage. Like, yeah, I just don't know if I believe this. Anyway.

You'Re like, oh, yeah, 15 year old me. I've really.

People love it though. People love it, you know, But I.

Feel like that's what's fun though, is that you still will play those type, you know what I mean?

Like, I love the fact that I closed my show with a song that I wrote when I was 15. It's like if there. It's like a kind of really nice full circle moment because I used to play that song to no one and now you close a stadium with it still. It's the same song, same setup, everything pretty amazing. Yeah, it's fun.

Okay, Azizam, I want to get lost in your ocean and drown. This obviously is a lyric from your new single. What are you talking about, Ed?

I think with that song, it was. It kind of just all felt really, really fun and immersive. I think that's where the ocean thing came from, is just like immersing yourself in the night. That line definitely had some people in my circle being like, do you really need to say drown? I don't know. It. It sounded good. Sometimes that's all that counts in the studio is, does it sound good?

And what does aziza mean?

Azizam is Farsi, and it means my dear or my love. The guy that I made the tune with Ilya is Persian. And we were literally in the studio. We were just trying different things. And he was like, would you ever do something Persian influenced? And he just sort of led me on this journey. We've got like footage of the moment where he's like. I'm like, what's like My love in Farsi? And he's like, oh, azizam. And I was like, that's a fucking cool word. And you kind of like it. Really, like, it's a. It's a really fun song.

It. Well, it's funny because when I was listening to it, it's awesome. But I like hear it the way that you sing it.

Yeah.

Of like. Well, I'm not even gonna try, but like how you kind of leave like a pause where you like. Yeah, okay. Okay, Moving on. That was embarrassing.

Did you like the songs?

They're amazing. They're so good. Okay. Can we talk about your wife though? You guys met in high school and then you didn't start dating until much later. How did you reconnect?

I started employing like my best mate on tour. So I kind of. What. I went through periods of time on tour. Like, I'm a solo artist and I don't have a band, so. And I'm very much like, I would just tour on my. I'd obviously, like, I have a crew, but my crew were like 50 year old blokes. So there's only so much bonding you can do, I think. And I got intensely lonely and burnt out and yeah, I remember I spoke to my mate. She's. She grew up opposite me, Lauren, and she was. She just left university. She now like works in tour management on my tour and stuff and has been doing it for 10, 10 years. But she was very much, I guess worried about me and just came on tour, started working on tour. And then we were in New York and her sister was living with Jerry. And I had had, you know, moments with Cherry when. When we were younger and I guess like we just kind of reconnected and picked up where. Where we left off, I guess. And it's one of those things where I wasn't really expecting it to happen. I kind of just got out of a relationship. I was on tour for God knows how long and it just felt really. I was sort of like, unless I do this, it, I will always regret it. So I just sort of jumped in and. Yeah, best decision I think I've made.

You have two daughters. How has your life changed since becoming a father?

Very dramatically, actually. Very dramatically. I think. Just. I mean, even just not being a maniac with drinking, drugs or smoking or, you know, I exercise now, never exercised before. I get up in the morning, rather. I used to sleep till, like, 4:00pm Like, I'm. It's really has changed dramatically and just in the way that I'm home more and my work schedule is based around them rather than based around me.

That's incredible.

Yeah.

Do you sing to them? Like, do they understand?

Yeah, of course. It's usually Moana. Like, it's usually just me singing Moana. Yeah, they like. I have a song on the album called Sapphire that they love. So it's either Moana or Sapphire Moana, by the way. Top tier. Disney music.

Top tier, absolutely. Do you just, like, walk around the house and sing that to them?

Yeah, all. All the songs, actually. And Moana, too, actually. When I went to go and see it, I wasn't, like, straight away enamored with the songs. And now those songs are my favorite songs too.

Which one is your favorite?

Put me on the spot here. Probably the Chihu song.

What does that sound like?

Can I get a. Can I get a Chihu? That one. Who were you? Who are you gonna be? Can I make some. Can I make some history? Kamana Moana, Go get your desk mate. My children love it.

Oh, that's good.

And they've got the. We went to go and see Mufasa, and they love the Brother song. Oh. Coincidentally, Same writer as Moana1. So. Yeah. All in. Manuel Miranda.

You're gonna be singing it up. Your kids are in heaven over there. They're lucky. That's nice to have. Right now we have a single out. Is there more coming?

Yep. I have a. My. My idea was because the album is so broad, I didn't want to just be like, here's the single, here's the album. So they're kind of. There's music coming every sort of, like, two, three weeks. So there's Azizam now there's a song called Old Phone that comes out in a couple of weeks. And then after that, there's another song that come. And we've shot all these videos, and I. I'm less about, like, single moments and more about. I want people to sort of feel the breadth of the record. And I'm very confident that one of the songs will work, but it's more about just putting them out and letting people hear some of the record before it's out, rather than what I've done before is just like, here's my first single, here's the album. And. Yeah.

How is this music different than everything you've put out before?

Or is it yeah, it's definitely different. I think I've been more explorative with this. With this album. I've kind of had an attitude of why the fuck not like. And not really felt like I have to be in a box of being a singer, songwriter of like, I have to do this or I have to do that. And I lived in India for a little bit and worked with a load of Indian musicians and producers and blah, blah, blah. Obviously I made a song like Azizam with Ilya, who's Persian and that's in that world. And Old Phone, I think is more in a Nashville country world. And there's just lots of different moments on the record. And the record is called Play and therefore it has to be playful, it has to be celebratory. I released two albums that are kind of. Well, one. One was the sort of main album and one sort of came off the back of it. But they were both very like very depressing about quite hard hitting subjects, very muted. I still think they're beautiful records, but I feel like coming out of the. That of having, you know, going through grief and all of that sort of stuff coming out, I needed to have something that felt bright and colorful and playful. And that's where doing some Patrick's Day, playing at Tootsies in Nashville, doing the New Orleans thing, the whole record just has to feel like fun and exciting.

How do you avoid writer's block?

I think you just write all the time. I think you have to. I think writer's block is actually fear of being shit rather than. Because I think everyone can write. You have to just sit down and write, but you have to accept that sometimes it's shit and it's not good enough. And I think that I just write and write and write. Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's great, and sometimes it will be a song that you keep. And I think if you do that year in, year out, you're left at the end of the year with like 10, 11 songs that are really great. And then you can actually start forming an album.

It's really interesting to hear you talk about, like the way that you're approaching projects, albums essentially, but they're projects in your brain of like this one was like more intense. So now this needs to feel more fun and like I can feel that energy from you. Okay, Ed, last question. What do you want your legacy in music to be?

I would love for it to seem possible to any kid out there that just wants to pick up an acoustic guitar. I think that the, the Thing. I think the thing that's jarring about me to people is also the thing that creates hope. Because I am a regular dude who picked up an acoustic guitar, who's not from a major city, who made it happen by going out there. And I would love for all kids to go. I could probably do that too. Rather than feel like it's an impossible thing, because it's really not. It's really not. I think that it's. I couldn't sing when there's footage of me online. Where have you seen it? But now I'm gonna Google it or I can't sing. I mean, we could play. We could play it now.

Wait, you can't see? You couldn't sing?

It's got type in Ed Sheeran, addicted. It's me when I'm 14 singing.

But then it's that bad.

It's bad. But then I, like, practiced and became. You can actually just find the clip online? Yeah, someone leaked all my old eps, which I guess shows progress. Listen to it. You can fast forward it a little bit. I've got an intro because I love. I love an intro. Here we go. It's all right. You wait.

You sound like little baby Ed. Wait, that's cute.

Yeah, but it's not like. It's not professional standard, is it? Oh, no, that's what I'm saying. We can turn it off now. But I'm saying, like, I didn't know. I didn't know how to sing in tune. And then I taught myself how to sing in tune by practicing. So I honestly, when I go into talks at like music schools and to kids and stuff, I always play that and go. Because everyone just assumes that you're born and you're jet there. You just got it and it. You can teach yourself. I taught my. Well, I didn't teach myself how to play guitar, but I learned how to play guitar. I learned how to perform. I learned how to perform in front of lots of different crowds. I learned how to songwrite. I learned how to sing. And I'd love my legacy to be any kid anywhere, literally anywhere goes. I can do that too. Because I think that that's like music's. Music is a thing that it's also for kids that aren't good at other things who don't have a lot of self worth or self confidence if they start music in any form, in. In poetry or singing or instruments or even like work in a studio or whatever. It gives you so much, like, worth and confidence in yourself as a human being. And I think that in school there's so much like importance put on. You must be good at this subject and you must be good at this subject to actually be a good human being and to go out in the world and achieve. And I just wasn't good at anything as a kid and I didn't have a lot of self worth because of that. And I felt like I was stupid and music was. I was only good at music and that became my career. And I think when I go in to schools and stuff and talk to people, I'm like, you only need one thing that you're good at and then that is you for life. You find one thing, you work really hard at it, then that is your career. And I think that, that I would love for my legacy to be.

I think that is so beautiful. And I appreciate you bringing up the concept of like kids looking at celebrities and musicians and actors and anyone in the arts. Like it seems like this faraway concept and you have made it feel like achievable in a way that can be actually like everyday motivating for a person. Being like, I'm one step away from my gorgeous cover, going on YouTube and sounding like Ed and then look where you are and.

But then not being embarrassed about that phase of your life. Because another thing that I found in my career is I've learned everything from my failures and nothing from my success. It's not like I was on stage at Wembley Stadium being like, I'm learning a lot from this. I learned everything on the way to there. And I think that what that shows is actually failing at something is good because then I learned how to sing after then. And there's so much like importance nowadays on you just even on social media about like succeeding and showing you're doing well and like not being in but like the embarrassment of something failing or flopping when actually all of those things every single artist in the world has played to two people in a room and sucked everything. And that is a really important stepping stone. And everyone has written songs that have released that other people didn't like. That's an important stepping stone. It's all about like learning from failures rather than just always your career just can't do this the whole time. You can't just get bigger and bigger and bigger, better and better. Everything works because that's just not real life. It's about like picking yourself up after the failures and trying again rather than giving up again. Always said, sorry to bang on about education stuff, but I think with, with anything it's important that when you have that thing that you love, that you want to do, don't give yourself a Plan B. Because if you have a Plan B and it gets really difficult and starts failing, you always revert to the Plan B. And if you have Plan A at all points, you go, this has to work. And even at the points where you fail, like, I've done really terrible shows where it's. There was a show that I did in Exeter where it was like. Like 60 quid to get down there on a train, but I had a rucksack full of back CDs, and I was like, you know what? If I sell seven CDs, I've made my money back and a tenor. So all I need to do is sell seven CDs at this gig. And I got to the gig, no one turned up. I waited too long to see if people had turned up. And then I missed my train home and had to sleep at the train station. And in that moment, like, 18, 19, I was like, why am I doing this? Like, all my friends have just gone to university. Some of them have gone out to get jobs. They're actually, like, on their path. And I feel like I'm not achieving anything. And in that moment, my head just went, but this is the only thing you can do, so just keep doing it and hope it will work. And I think that in that moment, had I had a Plan B, I would have gone, cool, I'll just. I'll go and do. I'll go and do that now. You must find that, though, I mean, you're hugely successful. You must have just been like, this is gonna work.

I will. I. Yes. And I relate a lot to that, of not having a Plan B. And then people, whether it was, like, making fun of you for it or you feeling like, why am I not doing a traditional. Like, I remember being in college and all the girls were taking courses that were like, finance and all that, and I was like, in the film school, and everyone was like, where is that gonna get you? And a lot of times I was like, I don't know. But those feelings, it.

It.

You know, in you, what you actually.

Love, and the people making fun of you as well, because that is a huge thing. It's like, it's. It's so easy for other people to, like, make fun of someone for taking a risk and. And doing something. And I. I actually think it comes from, like, an internal thing of when they say, what's she doing? She can't do that. It's Actually, because in their own head, they can't do it. And they haven't got the thing that goes, you know, fuck it, I'm just gonna do this. Fuck what other people think. And it's. It's like almost to taking the piss out of you for even dreaming about it. Because why the fuck would you dream about being successful? Like, just do. Do your plan B. I think it's like almost a scary thing sometimes for that. And I got. Mate. I had none of my mates, even my best friends now. None of them really came to the first gigs I did. It wasn't until it started, like, catching steam that suddenly people were like, I'm not saying like, all my mates, but a large amount of my mates who are now my best friends and have, you know, have been since. Since school. I had my. One of my best friends who literally, like, you know, he's godfather of one of my kids. When I was a teenager, rung me up pretending to be Zane Lowe and was like, Zane Lowe worked on Radio 1 at the time and had this thing called Hottest Record in the World where he would, like, debut a new record of an unsigned artist. And he rung me up pretending to be Zane Lowe's. And then all of you know, he had all of my other mates on the phone and they were all laughing down the phone and I was like, you know, stuff like that.

That is traumatizing.

Then four years later, guess what? I'm Hottest Record in the World on Zane Low.

That's so crazy. You can never let them forget.

I'm like.

Never came to my shows in the beginning.

I don't. I mean, one. My mate Zach, real one. Zach always came to the shows. Zach. There's always one shout out. Nick.

No, I. That is such a beautiful message to leave this on because I can imagine there's so many people watching this right now that are either, like, gonna quit the job because they're not making enough and they hate it and they're like, okay, I'm just gonna, like, not pursue it anymore and I'll just go do what, like, my parents had wanted me to do, or there's someone that is, like, doing something in this moment that people are making fun of them for, or they feel let down and they feel like there's no way to actually get to what they want. This is like.

I think it all comes down to. It all comes down to enjoyment, though, because I think if you're still enjoying what you do, because even though I did that Exeter gig and no one turned up for it. I was still playing music that night rather than doing something I didn't want to want to do. So I think there will come difficult times in everyone's careers, but as long as you love what you do, you've always got that at the end of the day. But I'd say if you're in a job that you don't love, like, try and find something that you love.

Yeah.

You know, go.

Go for your passion and make it your job if you can. Ed, this has been so fun. I wish I could talk to you for, like, 10 more hours, because I feel like we could do one. An entire podcast on just movies in general.

You do it again.

I know we could do it again. Maybe I'll see you again.

I would love to do a movie one.

I would sit here with you and geek out over movie, because I'm a movie girl, too. Like, I'm full movies.

Have you seen the Florida Project?

Yes.

Just literally just watched that the other night.

Oh, my God.

Blew my mind.

Did you see an aura?

Of course. Yeah, yeah, yeah. But I hadn't really heard of Sean Baker before then. So then I went back and did, like, Tangerine in the Florida Project, and. But Florida Project, Like, I haven't cried like that movie for just at the end with the little girl, I was.

Just like, no, he's so fudgeing talented. Thank you for taking the time. I know you're running on, like, two hours of sleep, and you were fudgeing great. So thank you.

Thank you, thank you.

[Alex Cooper]

Thanks to lieb by Yves St. Laurent for sponsoring today's episode. Make a Statement with Lib l'unu, the fragrance that sets you apart. Shop now at Sephora.