Ed Sheeran news – live: Singer releases new album Subtract after winning Marvin Gaye lawsuit
Singer had been fighting a lawsuit in New York after being accused of plagiarising Marvin Gaye’s ‘Let’s Get It On’ for his 2014 single ‘Thinking Out Loud’
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Ed Sheeran has released his new album Subtract, just hours after winning his latest copyright lawsuit.
A Manhattan jury found on Thursday 4 May that the British singer-songwriter did not plagiarise Marvin Gaye’s 1973 song “Let’s Get It On” for his 2014 single “Thinking Out Loud”.
Sheeran had been sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, the songwriter who composed the slow jam classic with Gaye.
They accused Sheeran’s song of copying the anthem’s harmonic progressions as well as melodic and rhythmic elements without permission.
In a defiant statement after the verdict, Sheeran said he would not “allow myself to be a piggy bank”.
The lawsuit was initially filed in 2017, but took six years to finally reach a Manhattan federal court.
Sheeran vehemently denied plagiarising “Let’s Get It On”. His lawyers argued that the song used common constructions found in many pop tracks.
He told the court earlier this week that, should he lose, he planned on quitting music.
Read The Independent’s review of Subract here.
Ed Sheeran review, Subtract: Aaron Dessner collaboration proves that less is definitely more
Ed Sheeran wins Marvin Gaye ‘Thinking Out Loud’ plagiarism case: ‘I’m not going to have to give up my day job’
‘I will never allow myself to be a piggy bank’: Ed Sheeran shares defiant message after copyright trial win
Sheeran shares defiant statement after win: ‘I am not a piggy bank'
The singer shared a lengthy statement with reporters after his win Wednesday (3 May).
“I’m just a guy with a guitar who loves writing music for people to enjoy. I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for someone to shake,” he said.
“Having to be in New York for this trial has meant that I’ve missed being with my family at my grandmother’s funeral in Ireland and I will never get that time back.”
Read his full statement here:
Ed Sheeran shares defiant message after winning Marvin Gaye copyright trial
‘I’m just a guy with a guitar who loves writing music for people to enjoy,’ singer said
Early reaction to Ed Sheeran’s new album Subtract
Early reviews for Eh Sheeran’s new album Subtract are in.
The Guardian’s Alexis Petridis gave the album a four out of five-star review, writing: “Subtract is easily [Sheeran’s] best album.”
Will Hodgkinson of The Times also gave the album a four out of five-star review.
The Telegraph’s Neil McCormick wrote that Subtract is “a powerful grief album worthy of Bob Dylan”.
Sheeran says copyright trial would never have been brought about by another artist
“The thing with these cases, it’s not usually songwriters that are suing songwriters. I mean sometimes it is, but it’s not,” Sheeran stated in an exclusive clip from Zane Lowe’s radio show, shared with Rolling Stone.
“I feel like in the songwriting community, everyone sort of knows that there’s four chords primarily that are used and there’s eight notes. And we work with what we’ve got, with doing that.”
Read more:
Ed Sheeran suggests copyright trial betrayed unspoken solidarity between songwriters
Singer had been fighting a lawsuit after being accused of plagiarising Marvin Gaye’s 1973 hit for his 2014 single ‘Thinking Out Loud’
What would have happened if Sheeran was found liable
If the New York jury had sided with the plaintiffs, the trial would have entered a second phase to decide how much he’d owe in damages.
Ed Sheeran review: ‘Subtract'
The release of Sheeran’s new album, Subtract, has coincided with his trial in New York.
In a three-star review, The Independent’s music correspondent Roisin O’Connor writes: “Lyrically, the album does fall short, but then Sheeran has spent over a decade trading in vague yet universal issues. Heartbroken? Crushing on someone? Drinking with mates? He has you covered.”
Read more:
On Subtract, Ed Sheeran (and Aaron Dessner) prove that less is more - review
The final album in the singer-songwriter’s ‘maths’ series includes some beautifully pared-back musicianship, and Sheeran at his most vulnerable
What other copyright cases has Sheeran been embroiled in?
In 2016, Sheeran was faced with his first copyright infringement lawsuit, from the pair of songwriters behind “Amazing”. The writers sued Sheeran, claiming that his hit track “Photograph” copied aspects of their song, which had been performed by The X Factor winner Matt Cardle.
A year later, the case was settled and the songwriters were then added to the credits of Sheeran’s 2014 track.
In 2017, Sheeran won his second copyright trial over his popular 2017 song “Shape of You”.
Sheeran missed grandmother’s funeral in Ireland this week due to trial
Sheeran’s grandmother’s funeral took place in Ireland on Wednesday (3 May). The singer’s father confirmed that his son had to miss the occasion to attend his ongoing trial in New York.
“I am very sad that our son Edward is unable to be here today. He’s so upset that he cannot be present,” he said.
Ed Sheeran misses his grandmother’s funeral due to copyright trial
‘Our son Edward... has to be thousands of miles away in a court in America defending his integrity,’ father said during eulogy
Sheeran’s trial coincided with the release of his emotional documentary
In the Disney+ series, it was revealed that Sheeran “wrote seven songs in four hours” after wife Cherry Seaborn’s cancer diagnosis.
Seaborn, 30, was diagnosed with a tumour in 2022, during her pregnancy with her and Sheeran’s second child.
“We had the diagnosis of the tumour and the next day, Eds went down into the basement and wrote seven songs in four hours,” said Seaborn.
Read more:
Ed Sheeran ‘wrote seven songs in four hours’ after wife Cherry’s cancer diagnosis
Singer-songwriter put his feelings directly into musical form
Sheeran also faces another lawsuit from the owner of Gaye’s song
In the same New York City court, investment banker David Pullman – who owns one-third of Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On” – is also suing Sheeran for copyright infringement.
A judge ruled last year that this lawsuit would also proceed to trial despite Sheeran’s motion for dismissal.
Ed Sheeran reveals plans for posthumous album
Ed Sheeran has revealed his plans for a posthumous album.
The 32-year-old singer, who is set to release his last mathematical album Subtract (-) this week, said he’s been working on a secret album that will be released upon his death.
“I want to slowly make this album that is quote-unquote ‘perfect’ for the rest of my life, adding songs here and there,” Sheeran told Rolling Stone. “And just have it in my will that after I die, it comes out.”
Read more:
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.