'Cherry Can Kill a Song': Ed Sheeran Says Wife Cherry Seaborn's Brutal Feedback Shaped His New Album

British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has revealed that his wife, Cherry Seaborn, has the power to 'kill' his songs before they ever reach the charts. The confession highlights the intimate family dynamic influencing his music today.

Speaking on Kylie Kelce's Not Gonna Lie podcast, which aired on 10 July 2025, Ed Sheeran offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at his songwriting process, crediting Cherry Seaborn's honest feedback as a key factor in his recent success.

Ed Sheeran Says Cherry Seaborn Decides Which Songs Survive

During the podcast, Ed Sheeran explained how Cherry Seaborn serves as his ultimate critic, with feedback that can instantly determine whether a track makes the cut.

'Cherry can kill a song,' Sheeran admitted. 'I'm actually really careful to play her songs when she's in a good mood. Because if she's like, "Eh," then in my mind, I'm like, "Okay. That song's dead."'

The Shape of You star revealed he writes up to three songs a day, five days a week, but Cherry swiftly sorts through them.

'She has a very good taste and read on things,' he said.

Notably, Cherry singled out Bad Habits as a potential hit, helping cement it as one of Sheeran's most successful singles. Her support has also extended to upcoming tracks like Azizam and Sapphire, both featured on his forthcoming album Play, set for release on 12 September 2025.

Ed Sheeran's Daughters Love Sapphire From His New Album Play

Sheeran also shared that his daughters, Lyra, aged four, and Jupiter, aged three, are already big fans of Sapphire, a new track from Play.

'They were in the studio in India when I was recording it, and they know most of the lyrics now,' Sheeran revealed, describing the joy of hearing his daughters sing along to his unreleased music.

This early endorsement from his young family has become just as valuable as Cherry's more critical feedback, shaping the direction of his latest work.

Why Ed Sheeran Trusts Family Feedback Over Industry Trends

Reflecting on his earlier days touring with Taylor Swift in 2013, Sheeran noted how his creative process has shifted from relying on industry professionals to prioritising his family's opinions.

'I used to rely more on industry feedback, but now I think: if it works for Cherry and the girls, that's enough for me to keep going,' he said.

This evolution shows a more personal approach that resonates deeply with fans eager for authenticity in pop music.

Ed Sheeran's New Album Play: Family-approved and Highly Anticipated

With Play on the horizon, Sheeran's openness about Cherry Seaborn's influence and his daughters' enthusiastic support promises an album infused with warmth and honesty. Tracks like Azizam and Sapphire are not merely crafted for mass appeal; they have already passed the ultimate test at home.

As anticipation builds for Play — Sheeran's first major release since 2023 — fans can look forward to songs that reflect a new chapter shaped by family love and unfiltered honesty.