In his cover interview with Rolling Stone, released Tuesday, the 32-year-old singer–songwriter shared that he originally tried to enlist the 53-year-old rap legend to record a verse on the song, only to be turned down by Jay-Z.

According to Sheeran, Jay-Z didn’t ‘think the song need[ed] a rap verse.’

The rapper’s judgment seems to have been on the mark, as Shape Of You has gone on to become Sheeran’s most popular tune to date since it was released in 2017 as a single from his Divide album.

‘We were in touch,’ Sheeran recalled in the new interview. ‘I sent [Jay-Z] the song, and he said, “I don’t think the song needs a rap verse.” He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear.’

No thanks! Ed Sheeran revealed to Rolling Stone that he had asked Jay-Z for a guest verse on his monster hit Shape Of You but was turned down; seen in December 2021 in NYC

Strong instincts: ‘We were in touch,’ Sheeran recalled. ‘I sent [Jay-Z] the song, and he said, “I don’t think the song needs a rap verse.” He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear’; seen in October 2021 in LA

Polite: ‘[Jay-Z] usually gets things right,’ Sheeran added. ‘It was a very natural, respectful pass’; seen in 2015 in LA

In his genre: Most of Jay-Z’s high-profile guest verses have been on songs from other rappers. He revealed last year that he never charges for guest verses; seen in February in LA

Coming soon: Sheeran is currently set to release his fifth studio album, Subtract, in May of this year; pictured in London in February 2022