Full Breakdown
Ed Sheeran and John Mayer Collaborate on "Drive" for F1 Film
1/15/2026, 1:03:16 AM
Overview of "Drive" Creation
Ed Sheeran and John Mayer, alongside producer Blake Slatkin, have collaborated on the song "Drive," which was created for the film "F1" starring Brad Pitt. Released on June 20, 2025, as the fifth single from the film's soundtrack, "Drive" was co-written by the trio after Slatkin attended a screening of the movie. He immediately contacted Sheeran and Mayer to propose creating a song for the film. Slatkin noted that they were shown scenes from the movie to inspire their work, with the scene featuring Pitt riding into the sunset being a focal point for the song's development.
Songwriting and Production Insights
The songwriting process was marked by a rapid exchange of ideas. Mayer quickly developed a rock riff that became the song's foundation, while Sheeran contributed lyrics from a bachelor party in England. Slatkin emphasized the need for the song to maintain a raw quality, diverging from the polished sound typical of pop music. The final production featured Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters on drums, who helped refine the song's tempo, ensuring it balanced rock elements with pop sensibilities.
Performance and Recognition
"Drive" has garnered significant attention, making the Outstanding Original Song shortlist for the Oscars. Sheeran expressed that the song's style differs from his usual ballads, stating, "I don't think that 'Drive' is a song that could go side by side with a song on my album because it's such a stylistically different song." The performance of "Drive" is set to be showcased on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" where Sheeran will be joined by Mayer, Grohl, and other collaborators.
Critical Reception and Impact
The song has been well-received, peaking at number 49 on the UK Singles Chart and being recognized by Billboard as the best track from the film's soundtrack. Slatkin praised Sheeran's vocal performance, describing it as "a generational vocal performance," while Mayer noted the unique qualities of Sheeran's voice that contribute to the song's impact.
Upcoming Events and Oscar Considerations
As voting for the Oscar nominations is underway, Sheeran's performance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" is anticipated to draw attention from Academy members. The final Oscar nominations will be announced on January 22, 2026, determining if "Drive" will receive a nomination alongside its co-writers.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The distance between not having a song and having a song for Ed is a millimeter.” — John Mayer, Musician
- “And because of where it was in the in the movie the end title, because it was supposed to represent Sonny (Pitt) and his whole journey, I wanted to keep it as raw as possible.” — Blake Slatkin, Producer
- “Ed has an overdrive in his voice when he wants it that you don’t normally hear.” — John Mayer, Musician
- “If you listen to ‘Brown Eyed Girl,’ just Van Morrison going ‘Sha-la-la,’ like, it obviously just sounded really fucking good,” said Sheeran.” — Ed Sheeran, Musician
This collaboration between Sheeran, Mayer, and Slatkin not only showcases their musical talents but also highlights the intersection of film and music, creating a memorable piece that resonates with audiences.
