Ed Sheeran Says Clapton’s “Layla” Inspired Him to Be a Musician Before Playing a Bit of the Song

[@howardstern]

Stream the FULL interview now on SiriusXM: sxm.app.link/HSEdSheeran

[@jamesdykes517]

Tell Eddy, wasn't a guitar player judging him mate.

[@miked7295]

It's cool how honest he is about his guitar skills. This guy never claimed to be the best guitarist ever but people still judge him for only playing (fairly) simple chords.

[@liamjenkins244]

The other thing is he's rock solid. He's playing simple stuff but he always nails the basics. So many people out there can play more complex stuff but don't have the same handle on the instrument he does.

[@holliswilliams8426]

I used to play guitar and his control of the instrument is good although he doesn't play anything ''fancy''

[@jumpforjoy6]

​@@holliswilliams8426 thing is he sells out stadium tours so he doesn't need fancy

[@d43imoet]

Selling out stadium tours with just him and his guitar is fascinating! I’ve been to his concert and was in awe of what he could do for 1,5 hrs concert, all by himself. His voice is also beautiful and perfect.

[@CB-ob5vh]

Good take, even if a guitar player can only play basic chords, there's so much more to it. Can they keep a consistent rhythm? How well do they sing and play at the same time? Are the chords played cleanly and sound great? Etc etc... most of music is built upon simple chord progressions anyways.

[@douglasjarnagan3835]

He has good musicianship. He doesn't shred, as he readily admits, but he plays what he knows very well. And that is really all you need to do as a guitar player.

[@sodazman]

He definitely is a great performer and understands music. But the truth is he can't shred even if he wanted to because he doesn't have the skills for it. His songs are really simple to play too. I've been playing for 15 years and can learn his songs in under 15 minutes most of the time. Can't say the same for John Mayer songs.

[@mickymcfinnigan6307]

@@sodazman you clearly have no clue about anything at all.

[@andrewdepedro4182]

Howard should've used a better term other than "shredder" here IMO. Ed Sheeran knows his audience. That audience aren't hardcore Yngwie fans. Ed understands this and he doesn't care.

[@MaizenBlue81]

@@sodazman I can learn a John mayer song in an hour or 2, it’s not that hard…pentatonic based solos with mixes of modal elements, common chord progressions, etc. With the ubiquity of guitar knowledge being able to do that stuff is not impressive to the mass’. It’s the application of what you know that sets you apart.

[@raymondvaughan6262]

Say that about any one better kids playing better in guitar shops or open mike night

[@Judewilkinsonjfk]

His voice sounds super clean. Would like to hear the full version of this interpretation.

[@chickenpepsi]

Look for the Jools Holland version. Sounded amazing! A few keys lower but sooo raspy and good

[@donjohn2695]

ABSOLUTE SHITE

[@jacquelineb.5983]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6uzZayNr8dlaq8

[@Marooshaz]

@@chickenpepsi his voice got a lot of cleaner since then, which is awesome to see.

[@jackmyers5540]

no soul to his vocals , i know he sold a zillion records...maybe stick to pop

[@Labyrinth1010]

There are many different ways to define a “good” guitar player. Ed is solid. He plays great.

[@sodazman]

He is an intermediate level guitar player but a great performer.

[@MrMacbridemax]

He is not an intermediate guitar player. He's a great, advanced rhythm player

[@Labyrinth1010]

@@MrMacbridemax some people don’t get it. You do. I’ve been playing for over 30 years. Ed has a command of his instrument that many don’t. And his timing is rock solid.

[@MrMacbridemax]

@@Labyrinth1010 Indeed. His rhythm and feel is top notch.

[@firelanderinoportarlino7437]

​@@sodazmanif he can inspire people to pick up the guitar, he is a good, respectabalr guitarist Not everything is about the super fast scales and sophisticated chord shapes that only guitarists get

[@potatochicko]

Whenever an instrumental is going and Ed comes in with his vocals it's always a head turner. Something about his singing voice is so great

[@wecandobetter9821]

The song Layla was and still is one of the best pieces of music ever. Duane Allman helped make a great song one for the ages

[@jamestacular]

One of the top five rock songs ever written

[@OllieC201]

I believe Duane Allman came up with the riff to begin with?

[@owenbruce4120]

Yep Duane was the coolest of players...beautiful piece

[@r1133rocco]

Layla is AMAZING! One of my very favs

[@BWLDR_17]

Love how humble Ed is, perfect role model for all the up and comers!

[@whdmsgurr]

It's really nice to have my favorite singer sing it. I hope this song comes out as an official song.

[@stormm5032]

I think the best part of this interview is him giving props to John Mayer as an insane guitar player, because he is. People often overlook him because he wanted to make money in Pop, but he can absolutely go to town on blues guitar.

[@danield4547]

He’s really good friends with him, but definitely cool

[@JohnntLikesToEatStuff]

He's so modest. Truly a great man!

[@TomOkey85]

I love how ed talks about his idols and musical influences, and now he is a musical influence to the next set of musicians

[@acelarson1872]

Man I don't know his music at all but this guy has an amazing voice and plays pretty good, I will search out his music now.

[@cutapacka4]

You've probably heard a few songs by pop music osmosis, but definitely recommend checking out his deeper cuts

[@acelarson1872]

@@cutapacka4 Will do thanks

[@Haerinx87]

What?? How can you not know Ed Sheeran????

[@danieljimenez1989]

I learned about him about two weeks ago.. it can happen.

[@svensvensson6705]

How can you not know his music "at all". Its impossible

[@channarodrigo6683]

Ed knows what he is good at and sticks to that.. respect!!

[@davidodonohoe1773]

Gotta admire the honesty. Might be the most down to earth musician on the planet.

[@Sidowse]

Of what percentage of musicians on this planet are you aware?

[@debramckay4611]

Layla. One of my favourite songs of all time 🤗

[@jukedar]

A very talented young guitarist, hope to be around as a performer for a long time to come

[@TheAgentAssassin]

Yeah I'd take him over many guitarists and I'm a fellow shredder if you will. I tend to get all noodly noodleson but would trade all my chops for a songwriting ability and a voice of velvet.

[@viewoftheaskew]

World's most popular looping artist, he took it to the main stage!

[@GG-ml3vr]

Nah,that would be John Martyn.

[@AlexIsBondarev]

@@GG-ml3vr who

[@NickJardine]

@@GG-ml3vr all respect to John Martyn, but I’m pretty sure Ed Sheeran is exponentially more popular than he ever was…

[@kippsguitar6539]

​@@GG-ml3vr ridiculous

[@prathameshbhambure]

Clapton truly is unbelievably inspirational!

[@livvybeth2k187]

I love the honesty that he doesn't pretend to be amazing at guitar and he made that choice. He's a good singer, writes decent music and is a good person with it.

[@tbjfsu]

That was better than I expected.

[@davidmurphy5485]

Love the Damien Rice reference, and to be fair to him he always does.

[@TheAgentAssassin]

But he is a good guitar player. IMO I've been playing since 1983 he's got what many shredders don't have. The ability to string together a listenable song. I'd take that any day over running legato licks all over the neck like a buttered up slinky on meth.

[@carlwhissel7557]

Lol couldn’t agree more

[@ArmanBaig]

plays with feel too. it’s not robotic at all

[@sophieoshaughnessy9469]

😂

[@GooferDusty]

Lol nice metaphor. Couldn't agree more

[@NickJardine]

Yep

[@tivarshgovender9184]

As a guitarist of 13 years, I'm still learning and I love your take on an icon Eric Clapton song. I bet he would be proud how you improvised and made it your own!!! You are an inspiration Ed Sheeran and definitely our generation's version of Eric Clapton!!

[@csharp57]

As a long time guitar strummer, in my opinion, he sounded good. Tempo was fast as heck, but he nailed it

[@felixmottram8457]

Always plays fast af

[@spaghettisauce445]

this song isn’t hard if you played as long as ed then you should be able to play this somg blindfolded

[@simonspeak9288]

Wish I could play guitar as badly as him.

[@trevornever27]

You can! Ed Sheeran covering Eric Clapton is a white on white crime

[@pfpublius]

You can. I believe in you, mate! You heard him there at the end...just learn 4 chords....and go from there.

[@simonspeak9288]

@@pfpublius Appreciate it! I know plenty of chords but when your guitar teacher after a couple of years says ‘did you ever consider a different instrument’ you know he’s trying to tell you something 😂

[@kylecampisi6376]

I’m confused. You think he isn’t good at playing guitar?

[@Tmnelson1977]

Agreed!

[@jaydenbianchi1338]

It’s called a “crash-o-caster”. Artwork done by graffiti artist “Crash”. Mayer has one too. Cool shit

[@TubolKupal]

I'm maybe wrong but i think the one that showed in the vid was Crash1 that sheeran also has and the crashocaster was the one he used in crossroads 2004.

[@shankrl1]

Mayer has everything haha

[@HarvH]

Very talented and humble legend

[@Nora-zg8fv]

He is beyond amazing 💫

[@RBFR01]

"I'm not the best guitar player" proceeds to play it flawlessly

[@chrisofnottingham]

He might not be Eric but for 4 chord player he's pretty darn good

[@thelevisullivan]

I’m pretty sure he knows more than just four chords but when you’re playing pop music, all you really need to know are four chords.

[@Mehecskekutato]

@@thelevisullivan And when you are playing AC/DC all you need to know is three chords.

[@mlm5150]

ok, I need a full length version of that asap

[@shadowstorm1928]

I want to hear him actually cover that song as raw as he just did it. I'd So buy the album !!!

[@bannjaxx]

not a raw acoustic version, its a great cover tho kzbin.info/www/bejne/a6uzZayNr8dlaq8&ab_channel=BBCMusic

[@johnnykrantz5369]

He’s an insane talent!!

[@jumbo8996]

He is a great British ambassador. Rock on Ed..👍

[@ryanneedham3159]

I want to hear a full acoustic version Layla from him

[@SultryAngel]

Love Clapton, saw him in Toronto 2023. Eric is so damn amazing playing his car

[@ewenchan1239]

Ed is just amazing. So down to earth. LOVE it!

[@michaelcastro6731]

Regardless about his guitar skills or how many chords he knows. Ed has an amazing voice.

[@shengenma3116]

Im glad he chose to learn four chords, his voice is one of a kind. And also , there wont be another John Mayer, dont even bother trying man

[@amospizzey1]

Truly great voice ⭐️

[@dominiqueeden]

Would I repeat listen to an Ed Sheeran Spotify Single acoustic version of 'Layla' ? Absolutely. Someone make that happen please.

[@BryceRogers_]

i second this

[@akoskonarik3354]

Full layla cover!!!!

[@Nicky89_]

I really loved hearing his words of Layla. It was mine reason to start playing guitar as well. He sang it very well also. There was a point when I didn't play anything else than Layla. Haha.. guess im still there.

[@atx0025]

Now I need to hear a cover of Layla from Ed. That little 30 second version was great.

[@fernandoaguilera4418]

Respects and admiration for Ed Sheeran! Now songwriters/shreders are a whole different story.

[@georgel3657]

My father in law was mocking Ed sheeran because we were going to see him at Wembley, he said the same thing about the 4 chords, i said "ok i can teach you 4 chords in an hour, ill expect a hit song in a week".... silence

[@craiglyle2966]

Accomplishment. The kryptonite of critics.

[@mashiela7189]

How can he say hes not a good guitar player?? Common Ed! A humble genius! Also im in love with your iconic little martin guitar❤❤❤

[@JoleneBurkeiseomagic]

he's addressing competent guitarists, clearly not you

[@mashiela7189]

@@JoleneBurkeiseomagic rude

[@JoleneBurkeiseomagic]

@@mashiela7189 or honest

[@mashiela7189]

@@JoleneBurkeiseomagic can be both, but mostly rude. Such an insult to compare me to a "competent guitar players"!

[@philipkarovski281]

​@@JoleneBurkeiseomagic and clearly you aren't either otherwise you'd recognise he's a good guitar player in his own right

[@pickednads6]

Damien Rice didn't deserve that shade :')

[@ghostofguy]

I know. He's a talented artist too.

[@charlesbolton8471]

3 cords and the truth beat all the the technical skill in the world. Damien Rice is better than Ed, John Mayer, and Clapton (in his solo career). Damien’s music is raw emotion.

[@imaXkillXya]

Ed has name dropped Damien in 2 of his songs. Eraser and You Need Me, I Don't Need You. Ed has publicly stated he was very much inspired by him.

[@matthewrigg893]

​@@charlesbolton8471Damien Rice is better than John Mayer? Have you listened to some of Mayer's albums such as Continuum and Born and Raised? It's technical and lyrical genius

[@dougdavis8986]

​@charles bolton you know what they say about opinions. Now, go back to sleep Beavis.

[@ianmock2]

Ok we need a Layla cover from Ed Sheeran!

[@emanueledonazza473]

He already did it.

[@danbosch-]

NO we need Ed to come up with his own music instead of copying other people.

[@CatGPT_]

Seems like a decent musician. Maybe he'll be a successful artist one day.

[@Mehecskekutato]

Is already

[@DjMike00769]

dang that was a great quick cover of an amazing song

[@EvaMigliore-zc5lq]

Wow!!!!! I love Ed❤❤❤

[@carlphillips3399]

I'm not an Ed Sheeran fan. But wow that blew me away.

[@davidd837]

I love this kid Ed

[@CalebNathanaelNettles]

Damn solid rhythm guitarist at any rate

[@jonsnow3300]

Thanks for the respect to my hero John Ed

[@catkin13]

Great musician 😍

[@kudos4201]

ive been very critical of ed sheeran in the past and im not the biggest fan of his music, but my god that voice is incredible. if he collaborated with some less poppy artists that could support him he would be a great act.

[@alejandroruiz2439]

He is a great act. And is a highly creative songwriter. No wonder he’s one of the top artists in the world

[@Irv123]

Although I am not a huge Ed Sheeran fan, I think he is actually a very good guitar player. His level of playing works great for the type of music that he creates, and one could argue that he makes great music. He is not as good as guys like Clapton, Mayer, or Frusciante; but that's ok. Ed honed in on his own style early on and used it to write great songs. Side note: Damien Rice is also an exceptionally good guitar player and songwriter.

[@jamoe4802]

He has a lot of vocal talent.

[@JeffCorcelius]

That zinger at the end 😂

[@nnnickkk]

WE are open to a "covers" tour, Ed. Just sayin'.

[@RJMacReady1]

Layla has to be one of the greatest songs ever written. That opening riff is just...such an assault. Youre immediately in the zone.

[@LindstrandMusic]

Dude is legit, no matter what you might think of his music.

[@livingmodern]

he's got no originality, uniqueness or nuanced feeling...he just has a generic "good" voice for pop

[@ryukan250]

He is an absolute myth of a musician but a solid bloke

[@davidmaraisthecampfireguit2596]

Genius songwriter and singer.

[@chrisvanderschoepen4620]

Maybe not the worlds best player but i do really love hearing him play bluesy stuff

[@maripossalover]

Ed: "I mean, not the world's best guitar player, but..." Also Ed: *proceeds to nail those chords*

[@OrvinReyes]

i think he was referring to shredding and soloing ala clapton which he can't do

[@maripossalover]

@@OrvinReyes That, I completely understand. I can't do that for the life of me either. 😅 Clapton's a legend, but Ed should take some credit. He can still play a mean show.

[@Hiiiiii-guyssssss-I-luv-u-all]

OMG my lil sis loves Ed Sheeran music I showed her this and I told her I was named after this song and she thought Ed sheeran was singing to me 🥹

[@johnheart6890]

He sounds great!

[@johnmcho]

I'm actually really impressed with him playing that song on a parlor.

[@mattt8902]

He doesn’t need to be amazing at guitar. He has the voice of angel, is a decent bloke & writes incredibly catchy tunes. His success is obvious

[@markhuman1226]

First time I hear that riff on acoustic,well done Ed

[@Trailrunner1978]

This truly highlights how good a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and artist.... Eric Clapton is.

[@zachh8607]

Mr. Modest! BS!! He kills it Everytime!;)

[@julianemanuelsantiagolopez9656]

Wow! This song 👌🏽

[@sebastianjohansson447]

"I'm not a very good guitar player" - Continues to effortlessly play a great cover of one of the worlds best songs...

[@fazechipotle5071]

Man’s a damn good guitar player. Hard when you’re comparing yourself to Mayer and Clapton

[@maskmaniac1]

Superb!

[@andrewstaples54]

Love the Damien Rice reference.

[@nedkent5239]

Wow! Never really gave this guy a chance. He has some pipes! Would be nice to hear him push it to break up…

[@Layla-wg6zz]

Love ed love this song

[@stringman509]

I also have that guitar love it

[@sallyrobbins7770]

Loved it!!!

[@paulgeerders7333]

Do a full version and you’ll make Clapton proud.

[@DanyDizzay]

He’s more than anyone- unique and lucrative bravo!

[@quirkessence9446]

Ed Sheraan is among the best guitarists of our times. He plays EXACTLY what his songs need, not a note more or less, using the guitar to make a perfect harmonic/rhythm bed for his voice and message. Not over-dominant nor non-existent, just... "just" in the perfect measure. And that is maybe the hardest thing to do.

[@florentin3141]

Get your point but it obviously depends on what you define to be a good guitarist. I think it makes more sense to call him one of the greatest songwriters of our time as there are so many people that in terms of guitar technique and feeling for soloing are on a way different level than ed.

[@robertdiehl1281]

Damn that was a nice take by Ed on Erick’s song

[@circemuller1933]

ED plays together with Eric Clapton......this Video is phantastic

[@jaquenile]

1:20 he saying that and then proceeds to play this good lmao

[@schultzdivision6749]

ERIC CLAPTON UNPLUGGED! Did exactly the same for me 🎉

[@Rahwriteswords]

Any Damien Rice refrence always makes me think of "Cheers Darling" ❤

[@mandoist]

Someone tell little Eddie that Duane Allman played the classic solo (and invented the opening guitar lick). Clapton recorded harmony guitar parts and doubled Duane's solo in some sections. All on the "Derek & The Domino's" LP.

[@valentinifernando]

The link it's going to an error page code 16 access denied why?? I'm from Brazil

[@JaggusBaro]

Ed is the reason why I picked up the guitar

[@gohumberto]

To all the people saying he can't play guitar very well ...... maybe take a look at his Bank-balance. He clearly doesn't need to.

[@ryank9910]

Let's hear Layla all the way through!

[@patrickreilly7256]

I've been playing guitar for 55yrs. Almost ready to slip that forth chord in.

[@PursuingHeaven]

Instrumentally he may have shred the song, but the voice, dear heaven the voice-love Eric playing, but Ed's voice is on a whole another level.

[@avidadolares]

I dont think you understand what "shred" means.

[@josefraguas2768]

Gee! He is gooood! 👍