The verdict
Documented Sampling History
Confirmed songwriters of record, no dispute over this song’s own rights — it is the song at the center of the “Photograph” dispute (covered there). Cardle himself publicly distanced himself from his co-writers’ suit (“This is not my lawsuit… Ed Sheeran is a genius”).
Quick Facts
Released2012
AlbumLetters
GenrePop, Pop Rock
LabelSyco Music / Columbia Records
ProducerRichard “Biff” Stannard
More infoWikipedia → · Discogs →
Who you need to ask
The songwriters of record — Cardle, Harrington, Leonard, Howes & Stannard
Wikipedia → · checked Jul 2026
The current administrator — Not confirmed — Syco/Columbia; needs a Songview/Discogs lookup
Unknown · checked Jul 2026
Has it been reused?
The song at the center of the “Photograph” dispute (this batch) — but with no dispute over its own rights. Cardle himself publicly distanced himself from his co-writers’ suit.
Do they allow reuse?
No standalone policy found; confirmed songwriters of record.
Related Songs
Same album, answer records, and songs worth knowing about
The dispute alleged “Photograph” copied this song (this batch)
Who Owns It
Licenses explained →The two permissions you need, and who holds them
The song itself (the writing)Matt Cardle, Martin Harrington, Tom Leonard, Ash Howes & Richard “Biff” Stannard
The recording (current administrator)Not confirmed
Receipts
Every public mention of terms, policy, or past deals we've found
A gracious public distancing
Cardle publicly distanced himself from his co-writers’ suit against Sheeran, tweeting: “This is not my lawsuit. I think Ed Sheeran is a genius and 100 per cent deserves all his success.”
Songfacts · read it →
A commercial underperformer
Despite its later legal significance, “Amazing” underperformed commercially, peaking at only #84 on the UK Singles Chart and spending just one week in the top 100. No lyrics reproduced.
Grokipedia · read it →
Can You Use It for Free?
How to check PD →Is it public domain?No
Sample History
—
Times sampled
The #84 song at the center of the “Photograph” case
Covers
—
First flip
Who to Contact
AM
Cardle, Harrington, Leonard, Howes & Stannard (Syco)
The confirmed songwriters of record
What they'll chargeNobody's shared numbers yet
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Page history · 2 updates
Jul 2026Page created — full research (Research Queue Batch 24)
Jul 2026BPM/Key pending the automated GetSongBPM/Deezer pass