Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Ed Sheeran threatens to quit music if he loses copyright trial

‘If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping,’ the musician reportedly said

Louis Chilton
Wednesday 03 May 2023 06:58 BST
Comments
Listen to Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud' side-by-side to Marvin Gaye track

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Ed Sheeran has said he will quit music if he loses his copyright trial.

The singer-songwriter is currently being sued for alleged copyright infringement over his song “Thinking Out Loud”.

It is claimed that Sheeran plagiarised elements of Marvin Gaye’s 1973 soul classic “Let’s Get it On”in his 2014 hit. Sheeran has denied the claims.

Speaking in Manhattan court on Monday (1 May), Sheeran reportedly said of a prospective guilty verdict (according to MailOnline): “If that happens, I’m done, I’m stopping.”

The singer-songwriter was addressing the toll that the court procedings had taken on him.

“I find it really insulting to devote my whole life to being a performer and a songwriter and have someone diminish it,” he added.

Last week, Kathryn Townsend Griffin, the woman currently suing Sheeran for plaigiarism, had to be carried out of court after suddenly collapsing.

Griffin is the daughter of songwriter Ed Townsend, who co-wrote Gaye’s “Let’s Get it On”.

Also during the trial, Sheeran began criticising his own guitar-playing skills, while explaining his songwriting process to the court.

Ed Sheeran at his trial
Ed Sheeran at his trial (Getty Images)

The singer apologised to onlookers after accidentally bashing the mic with his hand, remarking: “I’m not the world’s most talented guitar player.”

Recently, Sheeran’s wife Cherry Seaborn revealed that the artist wrote seven songs in just four hours after she was diagnosed with cancer.

“Some people write a diary and get their emotions out through the pen and, for Eds, if something really intense happens, he’ll go and write a song,” she said.

Seaborn, 30, was diagnosed with a tumour in 2022, while she was pregnant with her and Sheeran’s second child. She has subsequently undergone surgery for the tumour and is recovering.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in