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The British pop singer-songwriter incorporates sitar and Punjabi vocals with Arijit Singh in the third single off his upcoming album ‘Play’
Ed Sheeran and Arijit Singh in a behind-the-scenes look while shooting the ‘Sapphire’ video. Photo: Warner Music India
When Ed Sheeran returned to India earlier this year for his six-city tour, his biggest one yet in the country, he snuck in snippets of unreleased music before hitting the stage.
One of those has been revealed to be his third single, “Sapphire” from the British pop artist’s new album Play. While the full-length album doesn’t release till September, Sheeran has dropped the India-inspired single today—complete with a Punjabi hook, sitar, Indian percussive elements and vocals by hitmaker Arijit Singh. A Punjabi version of the song is also expected to be out in the next few weeks.
The music video takes you on a first-person joyride through Sheeran’s travels across India—hanging out with Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan, kicking around with a football team in Shillong, café-hopping in Mumbai, jamming sessions in Goa, visiting a music school in Chennai, swinging a cricket bat in Rajasthan, and even popping into a local bus and rickshaw.
The song also features production from songwriters such as Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid and Savan Kotecha (whom Sheeran appeared alongside in the Greatest Indian Boy Band launch video).
Sheeran says in a statement that “Sapphire” was the first song he finished for Play, which helped him figure out where the album was heading. “It’s why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India. It was an incredible creative process. I shot the music video with Liam [Pethick, director] and Nic [Minns, DOP] across my India tour earlier this year, we wanted to showcase the beauty and breadth of the country and its culture,” he says.
Singh, often known for his reticence as a public figure and musician who only steps into the limelight on his own terms, was a surprise addition to “Sapphire,” even though he and Sheeran were often in touch. Sheeran says, “The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record. It was a journey to get there and such an amazing day of music and family. Me and him have done a full Punjabi version of the song that will come out in the next few weeks, which has a lot more of him on it. This is the album version of the song, and my favourite song on the album. Hope you guys love it.”
Alongside album promotions, Sheeran has also announced three live shows starting July 11 at Portman Road, Ipswich, which are sold out. These are set to take place at Ipswich Town FC’s home ground, with Sheeran being a lifelong supporter of the club, and the official shirt sponsor since 2021 [he also sports the club’s jersey in the “Sapphire” video].