NASHVILLE, 2025 — When pop superstar Ed Sheeran first heard Luke Combs’ soaring, country-infused version of his 2017 ballad “Dive,” he assumed it had been the product of painstaking studio work. As it turns out, he couldn’t have been more wrong.

“They thought it took me months,” Sheeran laughed in a recent interview, before revealing that Combs recorded the song “in one take — in about 17 minutes.” Though fans have added embellishments over time — including an imagined snowstorm scenario — the essence of the story remains true: Luke Combs’ version of “Dive” was created almost effortlessly, a burst of creative energy that turned into one of the most beloved country covers in recent memory.

 The Real Story: A Studio, Not a Snowstorm

The origins of Combs’ “Dive” cover trace back to Spotify’s Singles Sessions, a project inviting artists to record acoustic versions of their own songs alongside one handpicked cover. For his 2018 session, Combs chose “Dive” — a bluesy, slow-burning Sheeran track from ÷ (Divide) that explores vulnerability and heartbreak.

The session was reportedly swift and spontaneous. Combs, already riding high on hits like “Hurricane” and “When It Rains It Pours,” entered the studio with his live band and laid down the track in what amounted to a single sitting. While the exact “17-minute” claim might be more legend than literal truth, industry insiders confirm that the entire recording was completed in record time — a testament to Combs’ musical instincts and live performance polish.

 Ed Sheeran’s Reaction: Pure Respect

For Sheeran, Combs’ rendition wasn’t just impressive for its speed — it was transformative. The English singer-songwriter has repeatedly praised the country artist’s ability to take “Dive” and make it his own.

“Luke’s version just hits differently,” Sheeran said. “It’s got this raw, emotional honesty that made me feel like I was hearing the song for the first time again.”

Combs’ cover trades Sheeran’s subtle R&B groove for gritty guitars, steel-string flourishes, and a powerful Southern vocal delivery. Where Sheeran’s original carried smooth heartbreak, Combs infused it with grit, heartache, and whiskey-soaked authenticity — turning a pop ballad into a full-blown country anthem.

The result resonated with fans across genres. The cover exploded on streaming platforms and earned a Platinum certification from the RIAA, a rare feat for a non-single cover song.

 From Admiration to Collaboration

The connection between the two stars didn’t end with admiration from afar. Their mutual respect culminated in a live duet in London in 2022, where Sheeran joined Combs onstage for a surprise performance of “Dive.”

The collaboration was electric — a perfect fusion of British pop precision and Nashville soul. Fans described it as “two worlds colliding in harmony,” and the moment quickly went viral across social media platforms, cementing the friendship between the two genre giants.

 A Testament to Musical Instinct

What makes this story remarkable isn’t just the myth of the “17-minute snowstorm recording.” It’s that it captures the essence of both artists’ gifts — Sheeran’s melodic storytelling and Combs’ raw, emotional power.

Combs once joked that he didn’t overthink his approach:

“I just sang it how it felt.”

That instinct — natural, unfiltered, and unhurried — is what continues to set Luke Combs apart. And for Ed Sheeran, it’s proof that sometimes musical magic doesn’t need months in the studio. Sometimes, it only takes 17 minutes.

In a world of overproduced perfection, Combs’ “Dive” stands as a reminder: authenticity, emotion, and a touch of spontaneity can still create timeless music.