Ed Sheeran’s new single Sapphire isn’t just another chart-climber—it’s a cultural crossover moment. Released on June 5, 2025, the track finds Sheeran teaming up with Bollywood icon Arijit Singh, blending his signature acoustic-pop with Punjabi lyrics and Indian instrumentation. It’s the kind of global pop move that feels less like pandering and more like a sincere love letter to India—a country Sheeran’s long shown affection for.
The video, a kinetic tour through India—from the chaos of Kolkata to the serenity of Shillong—feels like a travelogue shot through the eyes of someone genuinely awestruck. Arijit Singh’s voice flows through the sitar-led verses, and Sheeran, with his usual melodic charm, dances between English and Punjabi seamlessly. The chorus? Infectious.
“Touchin’ on your body while you’re pushin’ on me / Don’t you end the party, I could do this all week,” Sheeran croons, before Arijit takes over with “ਚਮ-ਚਮ ਚਮਕੇ ਸਿਤਾਰੇ ਵਰਗੀ,” which roughly translates to “sparkling like the stars.” It’s romantic, pulsing, and soaked in midnight color. Then there’s the Shah Rukh Khan cameo—just a flash, mouthing the title word “Sapphire” in a moment that breaks the fourth wall in the best way.
What makes Sapphire work is that it doesn’t feel like a one-off gimmick. Instead, it’s a glimpse into Sheeran’s next era—Play, the album this track previews, seems to be veering into collaboration-heavy, globally conscious pop. With Sapphire, he’s not just borrowing a vibe—he’s immersing in it, with heart and hooks intact.