Ed Sheeran Wins ‘Thinking Out Loud’ Copyright Trial Against Marvin Gaye's 'Let's Get It On' Heirs

May 05, 2023

Ed Sheeran is an English singer-songwriter known for his heartfelt lyrics, soulful voice, and unique blend of acoustic and electronic sounds. Born on Feb. 17, 1991, in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Sheeran began playing the guitar at a young age and quickly developed a passion for music. He grew up in a musical family, and his father was an art lecturer and a composer.

Sheeran's early musical influences included Irish folk music and hip-hop, which he listened to while performing in local venues around his hometown. After moving to London to pursue a career in music, he began playing in small clubs and recording demos, which led to him being discovered by Jamie Foxx. In 2011, Sheeran released his debut album, "+," which showcased his signature style of combining acoustic guitar and electronic beats with his poignant and introspective lyrics. He also released the album "x," which produced many of his popular songs like "Photograph," "Sing," "Tenerife Sea," and "Thinking Out Loud," among others. 

"Thinking Out Loud" is perhaps one of the most iconic songs of Sheeran. It peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100, making it the singer's highest-charting song in the United States and Canada until "Shape Of You" arrived in 2017. 

The song was well-received by critics, pointing out Sheeran's excellent songwriting abilities as he poured out his soul into the song. However, the song was hit in 2016 with a shocking plagiarism lawsuit. It was alleged to have been plagiarized from Marvin Gaye's 1973 hit song, "Let's Get It On." 

On May 4, 2023, after a triumphant turn of events, Sheeran won the lawsuit, to the joy of many. However, the road leading to that had been challenging, as Sheeran had to go through so much before the well-deserved victory.

In 2016, Sheeran was sued by the heirs of Ed Townsend, a co-writer of Gaye on his 193 hit song "Let's Get It On." According to the lawsuit, "Thinking Out Loud" used harmonic progressions and melodic, rhythmic elements central to Gaye's hit. 

Sheeran tried to have the suit dismissed, but a Manhattan judge ruled out that he found some "substantial similarities" between the two songs that he believed should be up for the jury to decide. 

Because of this, the lawsuit was carried over to a jury trial. According to Rolling Stone, on Apr. 25, 2023, Sheeran took the stand to testify that the song was indeed not plagiarized. The opposing side even said that the singer had "smoking gun" evidence and that his 2014 performance, where he mashed up the two songs seamlessly, was a "confession" already. In Sheeran's defense, he pointed out that the elements were found in several songs throughout music history and even had to play the song in the courtroom to prove it. 

Sheeran told The Los Angeles Times that he found the comments about his songwriting "insulting" as he felt that his work's value was diminished. 

"If that happens, I'm done, I'm stopping," Sheeran ominously warned as the verdict for his lawsuit loomed. 

In a conversation with Gayle King about his upcoming documentary, Sheeran revealed that he missed out on an important family event because of the trial. 

"I've got the documentary coming out tomorrow, I've got the album coming out on Friday, I start my tour on Saturday, my grandmother's funeral's tomorrow, I'm still in this court case," he admitted. 

Thankfully, after two weeks of trial and the grueling wait, CNN reported that Ed Sheeran won the trial and was proven not to have copied "Thinking Out Loud" from "Let's Get It On."

According to BBC, the jury ruled that Sheeran did not infringe on Gaye's song when he wrote his Grammy-winning hit. When Sheeran heard the news, he immediately hugged his lawyers. 

TIME Magazine reported that Sheeran and one of Townsend's heiress, Kathryn Townsend, talked for about 10 minutes. It was reported that they were hugging, smiling, and even clasping their hands together at one point. 

As he exited the courtroom, an "obviously happy" Sheeran greeted reporters with a firm statement and a relieving address.

"It looks like I'm not going to have to retire from my day job after all. But at the same time I am absolutely frustrated that baseless claims like this are allowed to go to court at all," Sheeran stated. "If the jury had decided this matter the other way, we might as well say goodbye to the creative freedom of songwriters."

Sheeran also addressed the freedom of songwriters and artists like him in the age where everyone can claim one thing was plagiarized from another. Elsewhere in the statement, the singer reflected on the time missed because of the rather gripping legal headache he had to endure. 

"I am just a guy with a guitar who loves writing music for people to enjoy. I am not and will never allow myself to be a piggy bank for anyone 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."

The lawsuit was a huge win for Sheeran, who had quite a tough year – his wife, Cherry Seaborn, was diagnosed with cancer while pregnant, and his best friend, British music icon Jamal Edwards, passed away unexpectedly.

What can you say about Ed Sheeran's win? Do you think he deserved to win the lawsuit? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other Ed Sheeran fans!