F64

Album: single release only (2023)
Charted: 50
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • British music entrepreneur and founder of the online R&B/Hip-Hop platform SB.TV, Jamal Edwards died of a drug overdose on February 20, 2022, aged 31. Jamal was influential in Ed Sheeran's rise and the two became close friends.

    Over piano chords and understated electronic beats, Sheeran delivers 64 raw and emotive bars that express his grief at Edwards' passing.
  • "F64" is a freestyle track where Ed Sheeran writes a letter to his fallen friend 11 months after losing him.

    Yo, Jam, this is a letter to you
    It's been a while, but it's been hard for me to get in the booth


    He expresses his sadness at Jamal never meeting his daughter Jupiter, who was born in May 2022. Jamal would have been her godfather.

    You would've loved loving my little girls
    If not for them, I'd be done with the world


    Sheeran relates staying at Jamal's family house for a week, comforting his mother, Loose Woman panelist Brenda Edwards.

    Was at your mum's, there all week, tryna make sense but I can't
    And although it's been a year, still feel the pain in my heart


    The two were so close, some thought they were in a gay relationship.

    The day we met, yeah, I moved in and we were never apart
    People assumed that we were lovers, but we're brothers in arms
  • The song's title doesn't appear in the lyrics. It refers to the length of Sheeran's freestyle, which lasts for 64 bars.
  • Sheeran co-wrote "F64" with Godwin Vata Sonzi and the song's producer, Fred again. Dan Benson, JAE5 and Dave also get credited because "F64" interpolates JAE5's 2022 track "Propeller."
  • Sheeran filmed the video at Stamford Bridge, the home stadium of Chelsea FC. Jamal Edwards was a lifelong fan of the team.
  • "F64" is the second tribute song to a departed friend that Sheeran has recorded. On August 19, 2021, he released "Visiting Hours" in honor of the late Australian music impresario Michael Gudinski, whom he considered a father figure.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Corey Hart

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Evolution Of The Prince Symbol

Evolution Of The Prince SymbolSong Writing

The evolution of the symbol that was Prince's name from 1993-2000.

Victoria Williams

Victoria WilliamsSongwriter Interviews

Despite appearances on Carson, Leno and a Pennebaker film, Williams remains a hidden treasure.

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy Talent

Ben Kowalewicz of Billy TalentSongwriter Interviews

The frontman for one of Canada's most well-known punk rock bands talks about his Eddie Vedder encounter, Billy Talent's new album, and the importance of rock and roll.

Melanie

MelanieSongwriter Interviews

The singer-songwriter Melanie talks about her spiritual awakening at Woodstock, "Brand New Key," and why songwriting is an art, not a craft.

Queen

QueenFact or Fiction

Scaramouch, a hoople and a superhero soundtrack - see if you can spot the real Queen stories.