Ed Sheeran talked about “Eraser” on The Breakfast Club when asked if he was rapping on a track of the album:

On one song I have actually, yeah. [On the] first track of the album. I wasn’t and then, I felt like it was missing it.

In an interview for the cover story of GQ’s March issue Ed let the interviewer listen to five songs before anyone else and described “Eraser” as:

A declaration of intent, mixing hip hop with a chorus of layered vocals that introduces the album and addresses – in minute detail – the trials of his life and career and his status in the industry. The lyrics mention everything from singing in church as a child to winning international awards; drinking and smoking too much to how fame can hurt relationships; and his father encouraging him to chase his dreams to playing to thousands of fans in stadiums.