Ed Sheeran has joined forces with legendary Indian artist Arijit Singh for a new version of his summer track Sapphire. Recorded in Goa, the collaboration sees Arijit bring a fresh layer of depth to the vibrant tune, with the remix released today. The pair originally worked on both versions of the song during their studio sessions last month.
The special version of Sapphire features Arijit singing a verse in a blend of Hindi and Punjabi, as well as a chorus in English. In a striking cultural exchange, Ed also delivers a chorus in Hindi and Punjabi. Produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh, Johnny McDaid and Savan Kotecha, both versions are enriched by intricate South Asian percussion and celebrate love through a fusion of languages and traditions.
Speaking about the experience, Ed Sheeran said: “One of my fav experiences ever in my career was going to Jiaganj Azimganj with my dad to go and see Arijit for the final jigsaw piece of Sapphire. It was a 24 hour trip, and it felt like a pilgrimage of music. After a five-and-a-half-hour drive after we landed, we arrived, and Arijit took us on a boat to see the sights. We talked, ate, drunk coffee. Then, once we were in the studio, he taught me how to sing in Punjabi, and a bit of Sitar.
We then went on a late night scooty ride, with me on the back of Arijit’s bike and my dad on the back of his securities’. We listened to A Prayer By The River and talked about music. It was honestly one of the most amazing days in my musical career and it was the ending of a beautiful journey of this song but the beginning of something bigger. I love this version of the song; it’s the one I listen to every morning with my daughters because I love Arijit’s voice, tone, flow and rhythm. I hope you feel the same way I do about it. Thank you, Arijit, for your time, grace and talent. X”
The official video for Sapphire, released last month, includes appearances from Arijit Singh and Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan. It opens with Ed performing on a rooftop at dawn and follows his journey through India, showcasing locations including beaches, riversides, bustling markets, kitchens and Bollywood backlots. The visual also captures Ed’s visit to the A.R. Rahman music school, where he performs with local musicians, and his motorcycle ride with Arijit around his hometown.
Upon release, Sapphire made history by soaring to number one on Spotify in India, becoming the first English-language track to do so since 2021. The official video has surpassed 130 million views on YouTube, while the track has amassed over 1.5 billion views on TikTok.
Ed Sheeran’s forthcoming album Play is set for release on 12th September 2025.