In a surprisingly candid move, global superstar Ed Sheeran appears to be opening up about the challenges in his seven-year marriage to Cherry Seaborn through new songs released on the deluxe version of his album, 'Play'.
Raw Emotions in New Lyrics
Originally released in September, the super deluxe edition of 'Play' features 14 additional songs not found on the main album. Several of these tracks contain deeply personal lyrics that seem to reference the strain his career has placed on his family life. The couple, who are parents to two young daughters—Lyra, five, and Jupiter, three—have reportedly faced difficulties, particularly during Sheeran's extensive three-year Mathematics World Tour.
In the song 'Problems', the 34-year-old singer-songwriter delivers poignant lines that suggest marital discord. He croons, 'Flowers in our garden are dying / When did the water run dry? Who can tell? But you want the truth, we're not fine. We got problems, and we don't know how to solve them.' This raw admission offers a rare glimpse into the private struggles behind his public persona.
The Toll of Touring and Fatherhood
Another track, 'War Game', continues this theme of relational strain. The lyrics describe a couple feeling 'deflated' and trying to cope with constant changes, with Sheeran singing, 'Every day we feel deflated / Tryna roll with all the changes / Reality of what we've created.' He further expresses a sense of inadequacy, adding, 'There's no one above or below you, you are all I want / But I feel that it's not enough, to just offer you my love.'
The challenges of balancing a demanding career with fatherhood are also laid bare in the song 'Regrets'. Sheeran voices his disappointment about time spent away from his children, singing, 'You're too young to understand that Daddy's coming home / Every time I leave the house, you think I'm forever gone.' He candidly acknowledges, 'Missed out on so much / I really need to make it up,' highlighting the personal cost of his professional commitments.
Album Release and Personal Background
Sheeran announced the release of the 'Play' super deluxe album on Instagram this past Saturday, sharing a series of behind-the-scenes Polaroid photos from his studio sessions. In the caption, he explained the difficulty of selecting songs for the main album, describing the process as a 'vast creative experience' that was ultimately brought together by a trip to India.
He wrote, 'I wanted to put on the songs that had been created outside of India too. There's 14 songs that aren't on the main album, which is kind of an album in itself.' Sheeran signed off by thanking fans for their support and signalling the end of the 'Play' era, with his Loop tour set to begin next year.
Ed Sheeran and Cherry Seaborn have a long history, having grown up together in Suffolk, England. They began dating in 2015 and privately married in a small ceremony in late 2018, though Sheeran did not publicly confirm the marriage until July 2019. Representatives for Sheeran have not yet commented on the personal nature of the new lyrics.
