Small Bump
A tender acoustic ballad exploring loss and empathy.
"Small Bump" is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, released as the fifth single from his debut studio album, +. The song was written by Sheeran and produced by Jake Gosling. The single peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was released to radio as the sixth and final single in Australia, where "Give Me Love" was released as the fifth single.
- Subject Matter
- stillbirth five months into the pregnancy
Lore & Background
On 26 March 2012, Sheeran announced on Twitter that "Small Bump" would be released as the fifth single from his debut album +, saying "Before it gets out there, I'd like to be the first one to announce what the fifth single taken from my album '+' is." He added: "So the single is.... Small Bump." The song is written in the key of B-flat major. The song is about Sheeran's "close friend" and laments a stillbirth five months into the pregnancy. It is sung from a first-person perspective. A remix by Asa & Stumbleine was due to feature on the EP but was never finished. In the run-up to the 2018 Irish Abortion referendum, a campaign against abortion rights used "Small Bump" without Sheeran's permission. On 19 May 2018, he wrote on Instagram: "I've been informed that my song 'Small Bump' is being used to promote the anti-abortion campaign, and I feel it's important to let you know I have not given approval for this use, and it does not reflect what the song is about."
In Their Own Story
The song was written by Sheeran and produced by Jake Gosling. It is about Sheeran's "close friend" and laments a stillbirth five months into the pregnancy. It is sung from a first-person perspective. A remix by Asa & Stumbleine was due to feature on the EP but was never finished.
Reader's Guide
The single peaked at number 25 on the UK Singles Chart. The song was released to radio as the sixth and final single in Australia, where "Give Me Love" was released as the fifth single. In the run-up to the 2018 Irish Abortion referendum, a campaign against abortion rights used "Small Bump" without Sheeran's permission. On 19 May 2018, he wrote on Instagram: "I've been informed that my song 'Small Bump' is being used to promote the anti-abortion campaign, and I feel it's important to let you know I have not given approval for this use, and it does not reflect what the song is about."
Did You Know?
- The song was released as the fifth single from Ed Sheeran's debut album +.
- Sheeran announced the single on Twitter on 26 March 2012, saying 'So the single is.... Small Bump.'
- The song is written in the key of B-flat major.
- A remix by Asa & Stumbleine was planned for the EP but was never finished.
- In 2018, an anti-abortion campaign used the song without Sheeran's permission, and he publicly stated it 'does not reflect what the song is about.'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the song Small Bump about?
This track serves as an intimate letter from Ed Sheeran to his unborn daughter, expressing his joy and anticipation for fatherhood. It chronicles the emotional journey of expecting a child with his partner, Cherry Seaborn.
On which album was Small Bump released?
The song appears on Sheeran's second major studio collection, Multiply, which came out in 2014. It stands as one of the most personal entries within that specific record.
What musical style defines Small Bump?
It is a gentle folk-pop ballad primarily driven by acoustic guitar instrumentation. The melody and lyrics are deliberately soft to match the tender subject matter of impending parenthood.
Why is Small Bump considered significant in Ed Sheeran's catalog?
Fans regard it as a crucial auditory diary entry that documents a specific, life-changing chapter in the artist's romantic history. Its raw vulnerability distinguishes it from his more upbeat anthems and highlights his songwriting depth.
How does the story of Small Bump conclude?
The narrative resolves with the birth of his daughter, Lyric, fulfilling the promise made in the lyrics to protect and love her. The song effectively marks the transition from a couple expecting a child to parents welcoming new life.
More in Lore & Legacy
Elsewhere in the Ed Sheeran universe
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