Jon Bon Jovi Feels Like the ‘Ghost of Christmas Future’ When Younger Stars Like Ed Sheeran Ask for Advice

In an interview with SiriusXM, the rock icon opened up about songwriting with Sheeran

In an interview with SiriusXM, the rock icon, 62, spoke about how the “younger guys” in the music industry, like Ed Sheeran — whom he collaborated with on “Living In Paradise” for Bon Jovi’s new album Forever — look to him for guidance since he has “a certain experience.”

“He’s one of the greats,” Jon said of the “Shape of You” artist, 33. “Ed is a sweetheart. I’ve met him over the years a number of times. We were hanging out. He and his wife and babies have come to spend, you know, like the weekend at my house.”

The “Always” singer revealed how he’s been able to offer Sheeran some pointers.

Jon Bon Jovi, Ed Sheeran.Neil P. Mockford/Getty, Lester Cohen/Getty

“When you get to a certain age with a certain experience, the younger guys come to you and you’re like, you know, the Ghost of Christmas Future,” Jon said. “And they start asking a lot of questions, like how and where, you know, and they looked to that.”

The actor/singer then opened up about writing “Living in Paradise” with the pop star, who is still living through certain life experiences.

“When we were writing it, he was, you know, putting himself into my predicament and, you know, because like I’d said, he and Cherry are so sweet and, you know, just trying to figure out those ropes,” Jon began. “He’s gonna write the ‘I Got the Girl’ song before he gets to the ‘Kiss the Bride’ song ’cause his kids are babies, you know?”

He continued: “In fact, when I played him ‘Kiss the Bride,’ he was like, ‘Touché.’ And that’s exactly what he said. He was like, ‘I didn’t think of that.’ Yeah, because your babies are, you know, they’re little. He’s not there yet.”

Jon Bon Jovi.SiriusXM/YouTube

In the conversation, Jon also opened up about his dream collaborations.

“Leonard Cohen’s passed, but whether it was Paul Simon or Bruce or Paul McCartney. I mean, just off the top of my head, there’s so many great writers that were influences. Mark Knopfler would’ve been one for me. I don’t know. I mean, the list goes on and on,” he said.

Bon Jovi released their latest album Forever on June 7 via Island Records