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Ed Sheeran Turns Nostalgia Into Art Ahead of ‘Old Phone’ Release

The singer-songwriter unveils a digital archive of his retired 2015 phone, sharing over 200 unseen memories as part of the promotional campaign for his new single, dropping May 1 at 11 a.m. ET.

Ed Sheeran is throwing it back to 2015 and before: A walk down pop music memory lane
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Overview

  • Ed Sheeran launched the Instagram account @teddysoldphone, showcasing personal photos, texts, and notes from a phone he retired in 2015 to promote his new single 'Old Phone.'
  • The archive includes over 200 posts, featuring moments with Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and late friends Jamal Edwards and Mac Miller, as well as glimpses into his songwriting process.
  • Sheeran wrote 'Old Phone' after revisiting the device during the 'Thinking Out Loud' copyright lawsuit, which he won in November 2024, describing the experience as an emotional journey.
  • The song was written at 2 a.m. while Sheeran was jet-lagged in India and recorded the same morning, capturing themes of memory and connection.
  • ‘Old Phone,’ the second single from Sheeran’s upcoming album 'Play,' marks the culmination of this nostalgic campaign and will be released on May 1 at 11 a.m. ET.