Ed Sheeran Reflects on Nostalgic Friendship with Taylor Swift

Nashville, TN — Ed Sheeran opened up about his enduring friendship with Taylor Swift during a recent appearance on the podcast “Call Her Daddy,” shedding light on their bond and shared experiences since their collaboration began in 2012.

Sheeran, 34, discussed how he typically meets Swift, 35, four times a year for “proper sit down, six-hour catch-ups.” He said, “I think that’s like a really nice way to do it,” emphasizing the value of their time together despite their busy schedules.

Their friendship blossomed when they teamed up on the song “Everything Has Changed” for Swift’s 2012 album, “Red.” Sheeran recalls fondly being a part of Swift’s Red Tour the following year, spending nearly every day together for six months while they both lived in Nashville.

<p“He added, “I lived in Nashville, and she lived in Nashville. And we used to fly to and from the gigs together and do all sorts of [stuff].”

Recently, Sheeran was forced to revisit memories from the early days of their friendship as he dug through old devices during a protracted court case involving copyright infringement over his song “Thinking Out Loud.” As Sheeran recounted, the experience was deeply nostalgic. “Going through all my old texts with people that I’ve known for that long, it was really, like, nostalgic,” he shared.

In addition to discussing his friendship, Sheeran briefly mentioned the ongoing lawsuit that occupied a large part of his life in recent years. A jury reached a verdict in 2023, further complicating his reflections on his career and personal relationships.

Swift has often noted that her friendships inspire many of her songs. She is known for her close ties with high-profile friends, including Selena Gomez and Emma Stone. Despite navigating public scrutiny, she has proven adept at maintaining deep connections.

In a separate interview with Jimmy Fallon, Swift shared insights into the personal toll the lawsuit had on her, remarking, “In the lawsuit, they order you to give up all your old devices… So I handed everything in.” She noted she had switched to using a tablet in 2015, essentially putting her phone aside.

Sheeran’s experience while examining his old texts provided him with moments that led to artistic inspiration. “I switched it on, it was like going into a time machine,” he said, reflecting on discovering messages from friends and family. “The experience ‘really spun me out,’” he explained, leading him to write a new song titled “Old Phone.”

He stated, “That day, I wrote in my notes, like, ‘I found my old phone today.’ Then I ended up writing it into a song.” This intertwining of personal history and creativity highlights the powerful impact relationships can have on artists.