Bono has revealed how Ed Sheeran was reluctant to get involved in politics when the singer collaborated with U2 on the song ‘Yours Eternally’ earlier this year.

Bono has opened up about a fascinating behind-the-scenes moment involving Ed Sheeran and U2’s song “Yours Eternally,” revealing that the pop superstar was initially reluctant to become involved in anything that could be viewed as political.

The revelation has attracted fresh attention because of the wider debate surrounding Sheeran’s public position on political and humanitarian issues. Bono discussed the subject in a recent interview while reflecting on U2’s collaboration with Sheeran earlier this year.

“Yours Eternally,” released as part of U2’s Days of Ash EP, features Ukrainian musician Taras Topolia and tells its story from the perspective of a Ukrainian soldier. The emotional subject matter naturally carries a connection to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to Bono, Sheeran was conscious of that political dimension from the beginning. Bono recalled Sheeran questioning whether the collaboration would pull him into politics, making it clear that he preferred to keep his musical work separate from political debates.

That moment is particularly interesting because Sheeran has recently found himself at the center of another major conversation involving music, politics and freedom of expression.

The controversy surrounding rapper Macklemore’s removal from Sheeran’s U.S. tour has placed renewed attention on the question of how much political expression artists should bring to their platforms. Several musicians became involved in the wider discussion, while Sheeran later spoke publicly about the humanitarian issues surrounding the situation.

Bono, however, emphasized that artists should not necessarily be pressured into adopting the same approach. His comments suggested that musicians have different ways of dealing with complicated world events, and that personal decisions about political involvement deserve consideration.

For U2, political and humanitarian themes have been part of the band’s identity for decades. Songs such as “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and “Pride” helped establish the group as one of rock music’s most outspoken acts on major social issues.

Sheeran, meanwhile, has generally taken a more cautious approach, preferring his concerts and music to provide a space where audiences can come together rather than become divided by political arguments.

That difference makes the story behind “Yours Eternally” even more intriguing. Despite his hesitation, Sheeran ultimately participated in the collaboration, adding his voice to a project inspired by the experiences of people affected by war.

Bono’s revelation gives fans a rare glimpse into the conversations that can happen before a major musical collaboration reaches the public.

And with Sheeran’s name continuing to dominate entertainment headlines, this unexpected story is likely to keep audiences talking.