When Ed Sheeran sat down on the sofa at The Tonight Show with his acoustic guitar, it quickly became clear the interview was about to shift. He explained that he was about to perform his new song “Old Phone” for only the second time, and shared that it came from revisiting an old device during his 2016 copyright lawsuit.
As he started singing, the studio grew completely quiet. The song reflected on old text messages with family members he no longer speaks to and friends who have since passed away, and the simplicity of the moment made it feel even heavier as it unfolded.
Viewers watching at home were struck by how emotional the performance felt without any big production behind it. One person commented, “The fact that Ed can be on a talk show, pick up his guitar and just belt out a brand new song at album quality always blows my mind,” as the clip quickly passed 600,000 views in two weeks.
Many listeners connected with how personal the song felt while still being easy to relate to. The idea of unfinished conversations sitting on old phones stirred memories of relationships that have faded, and that shared feeling of nostalgia seemed to resonate with a lot of people.
Not long after the appearance, Ed released the official music video for “Old Phone” on his YouTube channel. The video combined footage from a recent pub show with clips sent in by fans, all centered around moments from their own phones that carried emotional meaning.
Fans had been invited to submit those clips as part of the experience of getting into the gig, and the finished video reflected that idea clearly. The final result leaned heavily into the longing and reflection that sit at the center of the song.
With Ed also announcing that a new album titled “Play” is on the way, the release of “Old Phone” has sparked curiosity about what direction the album will take. Whether it stays in this reflective space or shifts to something lighter, fans will not have to wait much longer to find out.
