Ed Sheeran appears to be referring to his battle with suicidal thoughts in a preview of his new song Salt Water, saying it was inspired by the “darkest nights” of his life.
The maker, 32, announced the release of his sixth studio album Subtract in February, saying it was inspired by the personal tragedies he faced.
The emotional release will explore his grief following the death of his friend Jamal Edwards and his depression and anxiety when his wife Sherry was diagnosed with a tumor while she was pregnant with their second child.
publish it 43.1 million Instagram followers On Monday, Ed shared another sneak peak at his new track, Salt Water.
The Team singer revealed that the song is very emotional, inspired by some of the “darkest times” in his life.
Emotional: Ed Sheeran appears to be referring to his battle with suicidal thoughts in a preview of his new single, Salt Water
New Release: Ed’s sixth album Subtract, due out May 5, is inspired by the personal tragedies he faced
He wrote alongside the post: “Salt Water was written about some of the darkest nights in the morning, and ‘What If’ surrounded those thoughts.
It was the second song Aaron and I finished for “Subtract” and I really feel it, and Boat framed what was the record early on.
Ed also shared a caption video, where he appeared to refer to his battle with suicidal thoughts.
He continued, “Salt Water is quite a dark song, it’s basically playing what would be your final moments jumping into cold salt water and feeling like a 3-4 degree free.”
It was one of the first songs I wrote for release and finished on the English coast. I really think it’s a really beautiful song on the album and I hope you like it.
The singer went on to write a few lines from Saltwater, revealing the disturbing and poignant lyrics.
He sang while playing his guitar: Come and kiss me in the salt water.
“I finally feel at three or four degrees that I am free in the salt water.” Embrace the depth and let it all out. It was just a dream.’
After the death of his best friend Jamal, Ed explained feeling like he was “sinking” when another close friend, Australian cricketer Shane Warne, died the following month.
Speaking about his depression, he said in an interview with Rolling Stone Last month: My best friend passed away. And what he should have done.
I’ve always had real lows in my life. But I didn’t really get into it until last year.
I felt that I did not want to live anymore. And I’ve had it all my life… You’re under the waves drowning. You’re just kind of that thing. And you can’t get out of it.
Ed already achieved his 14th number one hit with the lead single from the album, Eyes Closed, which beat Miley Cyrus to the top spot.
Writing on social media Ed said: ‘Eyes Closed is my 14th UK hit. You are past the bloody moon, thank you very much. I can’t wait to hear you ask.
I’m so glad you associated with this song. I’ve never taken this for granted in my career. Thanks to everyone who has been in touch with Eyes Closed.
Jamal, a music producer and son of superstar Brenda Edwards, died tragically after a heart attack caused by cocaine use and alcohol use in February 2022.
Tragic: Jamal, music producer and son of superstar Brenda Edwards, died tragically after a cocaine- and alcohol-induced cardiac arrest in February 2022 at the age of 31.
Candid: In an Instagram post, Ed explained that he struggled with his mental health last year while dealing with his wife’s health issues and the loss of a friend
Childhood sweethearts: Ed was also struggling after learning his wife, Sherri Seaborn, had a tumor
In an Instagram post, Ed explained that he struggled with his mental health last year.
Ed announced the release of his sixth studio album, Subtract, in the post, explaining that it was inspired by the personal tragedies he faced.
He wrote, ‘I had been working on Subtract for a decade, trying to carve the perfect sounding album, writing and recording hundreds of songs with a clear vision of what I thought it should be.
Then at the start of 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I saw music and art.
Album: Released May 5th
Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me understand my feelings. I wrote without thinking about what the songs would be, I just wrote whatever was going to happen. And in just over a week, I had replaced a decade-long work with my deepest thoughts.
Within a month, my pregnant wife was told that she had a tumor, and there was no way to treat it until after she gave birth.
My friend Jamal, a brother of mine, died suddenly, and I found myself standing in court defending my integrity and my career as a songwriter.
I was spiraling with fear, depression, and anxiety. I felt like I was sinking, head below the surface, looking up but unable to breach for air.
“As an artist, I didn’t feel I could credibly place a body of work out in the world that didn’t accurately represent where I was and how I needed to express myself at this point in my life.”
A launch is scheduled for May 5.
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