Ed Sheeran Faces Tough Questions During First Day of Copyright Battle Over 'Let's Get It On' & 'Thinking Out Loud'
Ed Sheeran arrives at the Manhattan Federal Court ahead of the first day of his trial in New York City on Tuesday (April 25).
The 32-year-old musician was supported by his team and lawyers as they headed inside for lawsuit.
If you’re unaware, Ed is being sued for copyright-infringement for his 2014 hit “Thinking Out Loud” copying parts of Marvin Gaye‘s 1973 song, “Let’s Get it On.” The track was written by Ed Townsend, and his daughter, Kathryn Griffin Townsend, is the one leading the suit.
Ed took the stand during the first day, and argued that he didn’t copy anything from the song.
Keep reading to find out more…
Ed was questioned by Townsend‘s legal team, and he told them that many pop songs share similar chord progressions.
“If I’d done what you’re accusing me of doing, I’d be an idiot to stand on stage in front of 20,000 people [and do that],” he told the lawyer, via People. “It is my belief that most pop songs are built on building blocks that have been freely available for 100s of years.”
The musician than referenced a few other songs – like Van Morrison‘s “Crazy Love” and “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi – that have the same progressions.
While Ed admits he had heard the song during his childhood, he added that the “Thinking Out Loud” was inspired by a conversation he had with co-writer Amy Wadge about his own grandparents.
He and Amy no longer talk about the song: “To be honest, all this stuff has put me off [talking about and listening to 'Thinking Out Loud'].”
Find out what else you need to know about the trial.
See 25+ pictures of Ed Sheeran at the NYC courthouse in the gallery…