Music

Eminem, Ed Sheeran detail a troubled relationship in 'River' video

By Wade Sheridan   |   Feb. 15, 2018 at 8:29 AM
Eminem stars alongside Ed Sheeran in the new music video for "River." File Photo by Heinz Ruckemann/UPI Ed Sheeran appears backstage during the 34th annual MTV Video Music Awards on August 27. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI

Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Eminem experiences the ups and downs of a traumatic relationship alongside Ed Sheeran in a new music video for his single "River."

Eminem and a former lover share their experiences -- including dating behind a husband's back and an abortion -- in the documentary-style video, released Wednesday.

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"My personal life is not exactly a highlight reel," Eminem says in the clip before scenes of the couple arguing and deciding whether or not to keep the baby come into play.

"I've been a liar, been a thief/ Been a lover, been a cheat/ All my sins need holy water, feel it washing over me/ A little one, I don't want to admit to something/ If all it's gonna cause is pain/ Truth in my lies right now are falling like the rain/ So let the river run," Sheeran's sings in the song's chorus.

The collaboration between Sheeran and Eminem comes after the pop star previously credited the rapper with helping him to overcome his stutter.

"My Uncle Jim told my dad that Eminem was the next Bob Dylan -- it's pretty similar, it's all just storytelling -- so my dad bought me The Marshall Mathers LP when I was nine years old, not knowing what was on it. I learned every word of it, back to front, by the time I was ten. He raps very fast and melodically and percussively, and it helped me get rid of the stutter," Sheeran said while being honored at the American Institute for Stuttering's Freeing Voices Changing Lives Benefit Gala in 2015.