Ed Sheeran appeared to reference 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 hitmaker, 32, announced the release of his sixth studio album Subtract in February, saying it was inspired by personal tragedies he’s dealt with.
The emotional release is about his grief after the death of his friend Jamal Edwards and his depression and anxiety when his wife Cherry was diagnosed with a tumor while pregnant with their second child.
Post to his With 43.1 million Instagram followers on Monday, Ed shared a final sneak peak of his new track, Salt Water.
The A Team singer revealed that the song is deeply emotional, inspired by some of the “darkest times” of his life.
Emotional: Ed Sheeran appeared to reference his battle with suicidal thoughts in a preview of his new song Salt Water
New release: Ed’s sixth studio album Subtract, out May 5, is inspired by personal tragedies he’s faced
He wrote alongside the post, “Saltwater was written about some of the darkest nights to mornings, and the ‘what ifs’ that surround thoughts.
“It was the second song me and Aaron finished for Subtract and I really feel this and Boat figured out what the record was early on.”
Ed also shared an explainer video, in which he appeared to reference his battle with suicidal thoughts.
He continued, “Salt Water is kind of a dark song, it actually plays out what the last moments were supposed to be: jumping into cold salt water and feeling at 3 to 4 degrees that you’re free.”
“It was one of the first songs I wrote to pull off and finish on the English coast. I really think it’s a very nice song on the album and I hope you like it.’
The singer then sang a few lines from Salt Water, revealing the disturbing and poignant lyrics.
He sang as he strummed his guitar: ‘Come kiss me in salt water.
“Oh, finally I feel free in salt water at three or four degrees. Embrace the deep and leave everything behind. It was just a dream.’
After the death of his best friend Jamal, Ed reported that he felt he was ‘drowning’ when another close friend, Australian cricketer Shane Warne, passed away the following month.
Speaking about his depression, he said in an interview with Rolling stone last month: ‘My best friend passed away. And he shouldn’t have.
“I’ve always had low points in my life. But it wasn’t until last year that I really tackled it.
“I felt like I didn’t want to live anymore. And I’ve had that all my life… You’re drowning under the waves. You’re just kind of into this thing. And you can’t escape it.’
Ed has already achieved his fourteenth number one with the album’s first track, Eyes Closed, beating Miley Cyrus to the top spot.
Ed wrote on social media: ‘Eyes Closed is my 14th number 1 in the UK. I’m over the bloody moon, thank you very much. I can’t wait for you to hear Subtract.
“I’m so glad you’re connected to this number. This far into my career I never take this for granted. Thank you to everyone who connected with Eyes Closed.”
Jamal, a music producer and the son of Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, tragically passed away after suffering a cardiac arrest caused by using cocaine and drinking alcohol in February 2022.
Tragic: Jamal, a music producer and the son of Loose Women star Brenda Edwards, tragically died after suffering cardiac arrest caused by cocaine and alcohol in February 2022 at the age of 31
Candid: In an Instagram post, Ed explained that he struggled with his mental health last year as he dealt with his wife’s health issues and the loss of a friend
Childhood sweethearts: Ed also had a hard time after learning that his wife Cherry Seaborn had a tumour
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 had dealt with.
He wrote, “I had been working on Subtract for ten years, trying to sculpt the perfect acoustic album, writing and recording hundreds of songs with a clear vision of what I thought it should be.
Then, in early 2022, a series of events changed my life, my mental health, and ultimately the way I looked at music and art.
Album: Subtract is out on May 5
Writing songs is my therapy. It helps me understand my feelings. I wrote without thinking about what the songs would be, I just wrote what tumbled out. And in just over a week, I’ve replaced ten years of work with my deepest, darkest thoughts.
‘Within a month my pregnant wife was told she had a tumour, and she could not be treated until after the birth.
“My best friend Jamal, a brother of mine, died suddenly and I was in court defending my integrity and career as a songwriter.
“I was in a spiral of fear, depression and anxiety. I felt like I was drowning, with my head submerged, looking up but unable to break through for air.
“As an artist, I didn’t feel I could credibly put out a body of work that didn’t accurately represent where I am and how I should be expressing myself at this point in my life.”
Subtract will be released on May 5.
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