"The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit"
Ed Sheeran has embraced his love for India on his new single ‘Sapphire’, which features Arijit Singh.
Alongside the song is a vibrant music video filmed during his recent tour across the country.
The British pop star blends traditional Indian percussion with his trademark catchy melodies on the dance track, singing about a radiant lover whose presence glows like the blue gemstone.
He sings on the track: “We are surrounded but I can only see/ The lights, your face, your eyes/ Exploding like fireworks in the sky.”
Arijit adds vocals and sitar instrumentals.
Directed by Liam Pethick, the music video begins with Ed on a rooftop at dawn. It then transitions to a lively journey across various locations.
Ed’s travels take him from the rooftop to serene beaches, riversides, bustling markets, local kitchens and Bollywood backlots.
Highlights include meeting up with Arijit for a studio session and motorcycle ride around his hometown, a visit to the AR Rahman music school and even a cameo from Shah Rukh Khan.
Ed and Arijit also sing in Punjabi, emphasising the cross-cultural collaboration.
Ed Sheeran explained that the collaboration shaped the rest of his upcoming album Play, due for release on September 12, 2025.
He said: “‘Sapphire’ was the first song I finished for Play that made me know where the album was heading.
“It’s why I finished the recording process in Goa surrounded by some of the best musicians in India.
“The final jigsaw piece for me was getting Arijit on the record.
“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.”
‘Sapphire’ follows previous Play singles ‘Azizam’ and ‘Old Phone’.
Play marks a shift in direction for Ed Sheeran after his maths-themed album series. He said he was inspired to make something brighter following personal hardship.
He previously wrote on Instagram: “Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life.
“Coming out of all of that, I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring.
“It’s a real rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish, it encapsulates everything that I love about music, and the fun in it, but also where I am in life as a human, a partner, a father.”
Listen to ‘Sapphire’
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