Ed Sheeran is dialing into nostalgia with his upcoming single “Old Phone,” a track born from unlocking a digital time capsule. On April 29, the singer shared a series of personal throwback photos on Instagram, teasing the new song and revealing the emotional inspiration behind it.
The carousel included glimpses of a younger Sheeran goofing off, a heartfelt selfie with Taylor Swift, and candid moments with his wife Cherry Seaborn. But the catalyst for “Old Phone” came when Sheeran was required to access an old device during a lawsuit. Powering on his phone for the first time since 2015, he uncovered messages from lost loved ones, estranged friends, and his late mentor Jamal Edwards.
“It felt like a time capsule,” Sheeran wrote. “I found myself crying at messages to friends who are now dead.” The experience sparked a wave of emotion that led to writing “Old Phone” while finishing his album in India.
The singer also launched a second Instagram account, @teddysoldphone, to share more unseen memories — including a jam jar labeled with a cheeky note from Swift.
Sheeran hopes the song invites listeners to revisit their own history. “Whatever it does, I’m glad I wrote it.”
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Photo Credit: Denis Makarenko / Shutterstock.com