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In a candid interview, Chesney Hawkes, the 53-year-old singer behind the hit song The One and Only, recalled a time early in Ed Sheeran’s career when he turned down the chance to work with the now globally successful artist. Back in the day, Sheeran was a rising star, still struggling to make his mark in the music industry. Hawkes, however, was focused on working with more established talent.
In an interview with The Sun‘s Bizarre column, Hawkes revealed that he had been told about Sheeran by his collaborator, Jake. “He told me about this kid, Ed Sheeran, who was sleeping on his couch,” Hawkes recalled. “Jake said, ‘Come and do a session.’ I said: ‘Ed who? I’m working with A1 now,’ like I was Mr big b*******.”
At the time, Hawkes was primarily involved in working with high-profile artists like Kylie Minogue, and he was intent on collaborating only with what he deemed “A1” talent. Sheeran, who was still finding his way in the music industry, didn’t fit into that category for Hawkes at the time.
The Rise of Ed Sheeran
While Hawkes may have initially dismissed Sheeran, the now-global superstar went on to become one of the biggest names in the music world, known for hits like Shape of You and Perfect. Sheeran’s rise to fame, from his humble beginnings to being a chart-topping artist, is now the stuff of legend.
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The story of how Sheeran’s early days were filled with struggles, including sleeping on friends’ couches, has been widely reported. However, his determination and talent ultimately paved the way for his success, and it’s clear that Hawkes’ early rejection is just a small part of Sheeran’s remarkable journey.
Chesney Hawkes’ New Album Living Arrows
While the story of Sheeran’s rejection is a fascinating anecdote, Hawkes himself continues to pursue his own music career. The singer recently released his latest album, Living Arrows, after a long wait due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hawkes described the album as a “labour of love” and shared how one of the tracks, Nobody Like You, came together unexpectedly.
“We wrote Nobody Like You in 20 minutes in the garden, then got the beers out,” Hawkes explained. The album’s creation was influenced by the ease and enjoyment of this process, as Hawkes continued, “Jake said to me, ‘You’ve got to do an album now. That was so fun.’ It went from there.”
Living Arrows marks a return to music for Hawkes after years of working on various projects and overcoming the challenges presented by the global pandemic. The album is now available for fans, showcasing the singer’s continued passion for music.
A Moment of Reflection
In looking back on the early days of his career, Chesney Hawkes admitted that rejecting Ed Sheeran was one of those moments in hindsight that might seem a little regretful, but it’s a reflection of how the music industry sometimes works—prioritizing established talent over rising stars. Regardless, both Hawkes and Sheeran have forged their own successful paths in music, and both continue to captivate their respective audiences with their creativity and passion.
Hawkes’ story serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of the music industry, where timing and opportunity can make all the difference. As for Ed Sheeran, his remarkable success speaks for itself, while Hawkes’ Living Arrows proves that his musical journey is far from over.
