Search icon

News

05th May 2023

Ed Sheeran speaks out about grandmother’s death after winning US court battle

Ellen Fitzpatrick

He missed his grandmother’s funeral due to this.

Ed Sheeran has spoken out after winning his US copyright battle over the hit ‘Thinking Out Loud’.

The father of two was cleared of copying Marvin Gaye’s classic song ‘Let’s Get It On’ for the 2014 single after a jury ruled he had independently created the song.

After claiming he would “quit” music if the trial had gone the other way and missing his grandmother’s funeral in Wexford for the court battle, Ed spoke to reporters outside the court.

He said: “I am not, and never will allow myself to be, a piggy bank for someone to shake.

“Having to be in New York for this trial has meant that I have missed being with my family at my grandmother’s funeral in Ireland. I won’t get that time back.”

Ed’s lawyer Ilene Farkas said the similarities in the chord progressions in the two songs were nothing more than “the letters of the alphabet of music”.

Co-writer of ‘Let’s Get It On,’ Ed Townsend, had brought the case to court, with his lawyer Keisha Rice claiming that the basic elements had been uniquely combined.

The 32-year-old singer missed out on his grandmother’s funeral this week due to the trial, and is said to be heartbroken over her death.

The singer’s relative, who inspired his song ‘Nancy Mulligan,’ died peacefully at her nursing home in Wexford.

Anne Mary Sheeran passed away on April 25th at Castle Gardens Nursing Home in Enniscorthy.

Her death notice read: “Died 25th April 2023 peacefully at Castle Gardens Nursing Home Enniscorthy. Beloved wife of the late Bill and loving mother.

“Deeply regretted by her loving sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, niece, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.”

Sheeran’s grandmother was laid to rest on Wednesday, May 3rd.

Related links:

Ed Sheeran speaks out about wife Cherry’s devastating cancer diagnosis

Ed Sheeran heartbroken over death of his Irish grandmother

Ed Sheeran breaks down as he provides update on wife Cherry’s health