New Man

Album: ÷ (2017)
Charted: 5 72
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • Ed Sheeran takes aim at his former girlfriiend's new boyfriend on this aggressive breakup song, suggesting his ex has made poor choices as she still has feelings for him.

    I don't wanna know about your new man
    'Cause if it was meant to be
    You wouldn't be callin' me up tryin' to
    'Cause I'm positive that he don't wanna know about me


    Speaking with Zane Lowe on his Beats 1 show, Sheeran explained that he isn't talking about an actual boyfriend of his ex but the stereotype of the guys that she likes, or at least she thinks she likes.
  • Sheeran also recorded a diss track aimed at an ex on his x album. However on "Don't" he gets a lot more nasty, and unlike the former girlfriend on this song, they probably haven't remained friends.
  • The song was co-written with Sheeran's fellow English singer-songwriter Jessie Ware, who also supplies backing vocals. Sheeran previously collaborated with Ware on her 2014 single "Say You Love Me."
  • The song also has a vocal feature at the end from Francis Farewell Starlite, who is the frontman of the musical group Francis and the Lights. Starlite has previously contributed to songs by Drake ("Karaoke") and Chance The Rapper ("Same Drugs").

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Bob Daisley

Bob DaisleySongwriter Interviews

Bob was the bass player and lyricist for the first two Ozzy Osbourne albums. Here's how he wrote songs like "Crazy Train" and "Mr. Crowley" with Ozzy and Randy Rhoads.

Chris Fehn of Slipknot

Chris Fehn of SlipknotSongwriter Interviews

A drummer for one of the most successful metal bands of the last decade, Chris talks about what it's like writing and performing with Slipknot. Metal-neck is a factor.

Eric Burdon

Eric BurdonSongwriter Interviews

The renown rock singer talks about "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine

The Untold Story Of Fiona Apple's Extraordinary MachineSong Writing

Fiona's highly-anticipated third album almost didn't make it. Here's how it finally came together after two years and a leak.