Ed Sheeran urged to share song he wrote for Michael Gudinski’s state funeral: Video

Ed Sheeran has been urged to release the emotional tribute song he wrote for “father figure and mentor” Michael Gudinski. Read the lyrics.

A network radio programmer has urged pop superstar Ed Sheeran to release his tribute song to Michael Gudinski as the heartbreaking ode resonated around the globe on Thursday.

Sheeran’s song Visiting Hours — penned a week ago while he was in quarantine with wife Cherry and daughter Lyra near the Hawkesbury River in NSW — reduced the singer-songwriter to tears at Gudinski’s state memorial.

Sheeran is yet to elaborate on the song but, lyrically, it expresses the pain of losing a dear friend and confidant, as the first-time dad considers the road ahead without a mate, mentor and father-figure.

Mickey Maher, head of music at Hit and Triple M networks, said: “I don’t believe there was a dry eye in the house when Ed performed for his emotional tribute to the great MG. It was impossible not to be affected by the raw emotion.

“Ed has mastered the art of writing music that deeply connects with people. There is no question if Ed chose to make Visiting Hours available to play on radio, buy or stream, Melburnians and Australians would get behind the song.”

At music legend’s state memorial at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday night, Sheeran said “I’m extremely grateful to be here.

“I know it’s an extremely difficult thing to get into this country, and I don’t take it for granted. I appreciate the opportunity to say goodbye.”

Sheeran flew to Australia two weeks ago to do a mandatory quarantine so he could attend the memorial, and honour the promoter and record company mogul who presented his early tours, which eventually snowballed into record-breaking stadium events.

Ed Sheeran performing at Michael Gudinski's State Memorial Service.

“In lockdown, I was able to have a guitar,” Sheeran said.

“I always find the best way to process stuff is to write songs, be it good news, bad news, whatever. Here’s a song I finished last week …”

The song is titled Visiting Hours.

Sheeran is yet to explain the song’s emotional lyrics, but it opens with a plea for one last chance to see a beloved friend.

The first verse might also allude to his daughter Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran, who was born last year, while the world was in COVID-19 lockdown.

Gudinski would never have met Lyra in person.

In a recent Instagram post, Sheeran said of Gudinski: “We were, first and foremost, friends. He was a father figure and mentor to me.

Kylie Minogue and Ed Sheeran onstage at the state memorial service.

Kylie Minogue hugs Ed Sheeran after their performance.

“We had late night, early morning talks, all over the world, from my house to his, from his hotel room to mine, in back of cars, planes, long walks.”

The lyrics of Visiting Hours call on such a figure, and mentor, to help Sheeran navigate life, either as a new dad, or a man facing new challenges ahead without the wise counsel of a good friend.

Despite his monumental feats in music, touring and publishing, Gudinski was, above all, a loving, caring and dedicated family man.

When Sheeran finished his last tour, which included four sold-out shows at Docklands Stadium, Gudinski asked what the singer-songwriter wanted as a gift.

Sheeran said he wanted a life-size bronze statue of Gudinski.

A year later, the statue arrived at Sheeran’s home.

“Me and him have had a drink together with the statue many times and laughed about how ridiculous it is,” Sheeran said on social media.

“The night he passed, I was very grateful to be able to share his favourite wine with him and say goodbye. And will be eternally grateful that I can now do this every night from now on.”

Sheeran added: “Nothing will fill the void he left in our lives, but the memories we all have of him will live on. He’s everyone’s favourite story, and I will make sure I keep sharing all of my amazing stories I have of him.”

Sheeran burst into tears during the final moments of the song, but finished his tribute, and walked solemnly from the stage.

Before the touching tribute, Sheeran hit the stage at Rod Laver Arena in a suit with a St Kilda tie in a nod to Gudinski’s AFL team and a Mushroom records badge on his jacket.

He said “Michael would be buzzed that this was at Rod Laver Arena” and picked his friend’s favourite songs.

First was Castle on the Hill, which he recalled first playing to Gudinski and wife Sue at their Port Douglas house.

Admitting he was “nervous”, Sheeran spoke of meeting Gudinski for the first time in 2011 and called him “a tornado of joy, everywhere he went he lifted the room and f—-d off.”

Sheeran also played his first hit The A Team and said he was “extremely grateful” to be able to get to Australia and “the opportunity to say goodbye.”

He was joined luminaries of the music industry, including Sir Elton John, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Kylie Minogue and Jimmy Barnes in paying tribute to Gudinski.

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