Ed Sheeran brought “Drive” to Jimmy Kimmel Live with a little help from his friends. The singer was joined by Dave Grohl, John Mayer, Blake Slatkin, Rami Jaffee, and Pino Palladino for a rousing performance of the track, written for the Brad Pitt film F1.
The all-star group showcased the rock track with clips from the movie playing behind them on dual screens. Mayer accompanied Sheeran on guitar while Grohl took on the drums. Two back-up singers also joined for the harmonies.
“Drive” appeared on F1 the Album, which arrived alongside the film’s release in June. It featured feature 17 tracks, including contributions from Sheeran, Doja Cat, Burna Boy, Raye, Tate McRae, Don Toliver, Madison Beer, Rosé, Tiësto, and Chris Stapleton. Sheeran teased his track ahead of the release, noting that he had “a lot of fun making” the song alongside Grohl and Mayer.
Sheeran’s most recent studio album, Play, arrived in September. The LP was recorded in all the different locations the singer-songwriter visited and completed in Goa, India. “Play was an album that was made as a direct response to the darkest period of my life,” Sheeran shared in a statement. “Coming out of all of that I just wanted to create joy and technicolour, and explore cultures in the countries I was touring.”
Play marked the first installment in a new series of albums from Sheeran. It will be followed by Rewind, Fast-Forward, and Stop, continuing the tradition he started with Plus, Multiply, Divide, Subtract, and Equals.
In November, the singer debuted a Netflix special, One Shot With Ed Sheeran, shot with Adolescence director Philip Barantini. The short film shows the singer walking through New York City in real time, playing his songs on subway cars and various spots around the city, and leaving a trail of stunned fans in his wake.
