"Sapphire" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran with uncredited vocals by Indian playback singer Arijit Singh. It was released on 5 June 2025 as the third single from Sheeran's upcoming studio album, "Play", through Gingerbread Man Records and Atlantic Records UK. The track marks Sheeran's first collaboration with an Indian artist and is noted for its blend of Western pop and Indianspecifically Punjabimusical influences. "Sapphire" debuted at number nine on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Sheeran's 43rd top 10 hit in his home country.
Background.
"Sapphire" was the first track recorded for Sheeran's upcoming album "Play", setting the direction for the entire album. He recorded much of it in Goa with Indian musicians and filmed the accompanying video during his tour across India, aiming to reflect the country's beauty and culture. He added that collaborating with Arijit Singh was the "final jigsaw piece" in bringing the song to life.
Composition.
"Sapphire" is a rhythmic and vibrant track that blends Indian cultural elements with Sheeran's signature pop sensibilities, featuring traditional instrumentation and lyrical nods throughout. This cross-cultural approach follows his previous single "Azizam", which drew from Persian and Irish influences.
Music video.
The music video for "Sapphire" was directed by Liam Pethick and filmed across various cities in India, including Hyderabad, Kolkata, Arijit's hometown in Murshidabad and Shillong. It features Sheeran participating in Indian street culture—riding auto-rickshaws, playing football with children, and exploring busy markets. Some of the locations featured in the music video include the street markets of Sultan Bazar, Ramoji Film City and the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Football Stadium in Shillong. Arijit Singh appears throughout the video, including a scene where he shares a scooter ride with Sheeran. The video includes a cameo appearance by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan, who lip-syncs part of the chorus, drawing widespread attention.
Reception.
The song received acclaim from critics and fans for its cross-cultural fusion and melody. The music video attracted 12 million views on YouTube within its first two days. Sheeran's Punjabi vocals were widely praised on social media, and Shah Rukh Khan's appearance was similarly commended.