Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Apr 30: In a unique lead-up to his latest single “Old Phone”, set for release on May 1, global pop icon Ed Sheeran has launched a new Instagram account — @teddysoldphone — offering fans a deeply personal glimpse into his past.
The inspiration for the single came unexpectedly. While revisiting an old phone during a copyright lawsuit last year, Sheeran discovered a digital time capsule packed with voice notes, photos, messages, and song ideas dating back to 2015. That rediscovery sparked the reflective and emotional new track “Old Phone”, centered on memory, connection, and the emotional echoes of digital history.
The @teddysoldphone account functions as a visual companion to the song, featuring never-before-seen selfies and moments from Sheeran’s journey — including behind-the-scenes shots from the London Olympics closing ceremony with Harry Styles, footage from the 2015 Billboard Music Awards with Calvin Harris and One Direction, and studio sessions with Pharrell Williams, Bruno Mars, and Ellie Goulding.
Also included are touching personal memories with the late Jamal Edwards and Mac Miller, as well as intimate snapshots from his early relationship with wife Cherry. Fans can browse through highlights like Ed signing his first record deal, performing in stadiums, and heartfelt emails and texts — such as a note from his father after a performance with Stevie Wonder.
Among the treasures are early lyric drafts from songs like “Bloodstream”, “Afire Love”, and “Love Yourself” (originally penned for Justin Bieber), offering rare insight into Sheeran’s creative process.
Speaking about the creation of “Old Phone”, Sheeran shared on Instagram:
“I wrote Old Phone whilst in India finishing my album. It came by accident, because I was jet-lagged and woke up at 2am. Everyone else was asleep, so I thought ‘might as well write a song’ — and this was the first idea in my notes. Here’s me singing it on the beach in India shortly after writing it. Old Phone out tomorrow everywhere.”
With the release just hours away, “Old Phone” promises to be one of Sheeran’s most personal tracks yet, merging nostalgia with a raw reflection on how our digital memories shape who we become.