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Why Why Why (Shawn Mendes song)

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"Why Why Why"
Single by Shawn Mendes
from the album Shawn
ReleasedAugust 8, 2024 (2024-08-08)
GenreFolk-pop
Length2:49
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Shawn Mendes
  • Eddie Benjamin
  • Mike Sabath
  • Scott Harris
Shawn Mendes singles chronology
"Witness Me"
(2023) 		"Why Why Why" / "Isn't That Enough"
(2024)
Music video
"Why Why Why" on YouTube

"Why Why Why" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes for his upcoming fifth studio album, Shawn (2024). He wrote and produced the song with Eddie Benjamin, Mike Sabath, and Scott Harris. It was released through Island Records on August 8, 2024, as the lead single from the record, alongside "Isn't That Enough". It marked Mendes' first solo release since his 2023 charity single "What the Hell Are We Dying For?". "Why Why Why" is a country-infused folk-pop song with introspective lyrics about a former relationship and Mendes' struggles with anxiety that led him to cancel a concert tour in 2022.

Anthony Wilson and Connor Brashier directed the music video for "Why Why Why". It showcases Mendes singing along and performing in a barn and a river, while interspersing scenes of him performing in an empty venue. The singer included "Why Why Why" in the set list for a series of intimate concerts in the United States. Upon release, it was met with positive reviews among music critics.

Commercially, "Why Why Why" has charted moderately. It reached the top 40 in his native Canada, Belgium, and Netherlands, as well as the top 60 in Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and on the Billboard Global 200. Additionally, it peaked at number 84 on the US Hot 100.

Background and release

[edit]

In order to protect his own mental health, Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes announced the cancellation of his fifth concert tour, Wonder: The World Tour, in 2022.[1][2] With a total of eight shows completed, it supported his fourth studio album Wonder, released in 2020.[3] He took a break from music for two years, although he released the charity single "What the Hell Are We Dying For?" the following year.[4] In an interview, he stated that he was "looking forward" to returning to the studio.[5]

In 2024, Mendes started to teasing his next musical era on social media.[6] He announced the release of his fifth album, titled Shawn, on July 31, 2024, along with its cover artwork and release date.[7] In a statement, he praised his family and closest friends for helping him throughout its conception.[8] He subsequently revealed that he would be releasing two singles from the record, titled "Why Why Why" and "Isn't That Enough", on August 8, 2024.[7] The Official Charts Company revealed that "Why Why Why" would be serving as the lead single off Shawn.[9] Island Records sent it to Italian radio on that date,[10] and released it to US contemporary hit radio on the following day in company with Republic Records.[11]

Composition

[edit]

"Why Why Why" is a folk-pop track[12][13] with touches of country music.[14] In its vulnerable lyrics,[15] Mendes expresses himself about his own mental health issues and struggles with anxiety that led him to cancel his tour,[13] as well as a previous relationship.[16] A verse of the song about Mendes imaginating a potential future as a father and a "pregnancy scare" received media coverage.[17][18][19]

In an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe, Mendes opened up about the process of recording "Why Why Why".[13] He cited that the anxiety he experienced estimulated his creativity.[20] The singer said: "If I started to experience some pretty heavy anxiety in the studio, everyone was sure that a great song was going to be coming after it because there was some sort of healing crisis, some sort of breakthrough that was supposed to happen".[21]

Critical reception

[edit]

In a positive review, Isadora Wandermurem of Clash described the song as a "refreshing shift from the singer's previous productions, highlighting his willingness to explore new sounds".[14] The critic found "Why Why Why" and "Isn't That Enough" as "not just additions to his music catalog but a testament to his growth as an artist and as a person".[14] She gave both songs a rating of eight out of 10.[14] While adding "Why Why Why" to its list of the "must-hear" releases of the week, Billboard's Jason Lipshutz said that it is "highly compelling", and finds Mendes "vulnerable to the point of sounding haunted".[12]

Commercial performance

[edit]

Billboard Canada reported that "Why Why Why" was the most played new radio single in the country for two consecutive weeks.[22][23] In the country, it debuted at number 30 on the Canadian Hot 100, marking Mendes' seventeenth top 40 single.[24] The song debuted at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for August 24, 2024.[25][26] It reached number 59 on the UK singles chart.[27] "Why Why Why" also peaked within the top 40 in the Flanders region of Belgium at number 23,[28] and on the Netherlands' Dutch Top 40 at number 28.[29] It debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Global 200.[30] Additionally, the song has reached number 51 in Switzerland,[31] number 60 in Sweden,[32] and number 65 in Ireland.[33]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for "Why Why Why" was released along with the song. It was filmed in Hudson Valley, New York, where some songs from Shawn were written and recorded.[34] Directed by Anthony Wilson and Connor Brashier, the video features Mendes singing along and performing in a barn and a river; it also intersperses scenes of him performing in an empty venue.[35] It sees the singer enjoying freedom, a contrast to the emotions present in the track's lyrics.[34]

Live performances

[edit]

Mendes performed "Why Why Why" and the entirety of Shawn at an intimate concert tour in the United States in 2024, marketed as "for friends and family only".[36][37][38]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "Why Why Why"
Chart (2024) Peak
position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[28] 23
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[24] 30
Global 200 (Billboard)[30] 58
Ireland (IRMA)[33] 65
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[39] 18
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[29] 28
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[40] 83
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[41] 4
Portugal (AFP)[42] 111
South Korea BGM (Circle)[43] 40
South Korea Download (Circle)[44] 124
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[32] 60
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[31] 51
UK Singles (OCC)[27] 59
US Billboard Hot 100[26] 84

Release history

[edit]
Release history for "Why Why Why"
Region Date Format Label Ref.
Italy August 8, 2024 Radio airplay Island [10]
United States August 9, 2024 Contemporary hit radio
[11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shawn Mendes cancels tour dates due to toll of playing live". BBC. July 27, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  2. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (August 10, 2022). "Shawn Mendes says he's spending time with family, therapy in wake of tour cancelation". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  3. ^ White, Abbey (July 27, 2022). "Shawn Mendes Cancels Remaining 'Wonder' Tour Dates to Focus on Mental Health". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  4. ^ Blistein, Jon (June 9, 2023). "Shawn Mendes Is Heartbroken — and Anxious About Climate Change — on 'What the Hell Are We Dying For?'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  5. ^ Paul, Larisha (February 21, 2023). "Shawn Mendes Is Ready to Hit the Studio After 'Healing Process' of Prioritizing Mental Health". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  6. ^ Armstrong, Megan (March 27, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Might Have Teased An Unreleased Song, So Hopefully The Shawn Mendes Drought Is Almost Over". Uproxx. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Horowitz, Steven J. (July 31, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Announces Self-Titled New Album Plus Singles 'Why Why Why' and 'Isn't That Enough'". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  8. ^ Tate, Sarah (August 1, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Calls New Album 'Such A Gift' As He Reveals Release Date". iHeart. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  9. ^ Griffiths, George (July 31, 2024). "Shawn Mendes announces new self-titled album, will drop two new singles next week". Official Charts. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Mancabelli, Alice (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes – Why Why Why (Radio Date: 08-08-2024)". EarOne (in Italian). Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  11. ^ a b "Hot New Releases". Hits Daily Double. August 9, 2024. Archived from the original on August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Lipshutz, Jason (August 9, 2024). "Friday Music Guide: New Music From Latto, Shawn Mendes, J Balvin and More". Billboard. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Kickham, Dylan (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Reveals He Almost Became A Father In New Song". Elite Daily. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d Wandermurem, Isadora (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Reflects Turbulent Emotions In 'Why Why Why', 'Isn't That Enough'". Clash. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  15. ^ Denning, Reagan (August 10, 2024). "Shawn Mendes releases "Why Why Why" and "Isn't That Enough" off his upcoming album 'Shawn'". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Madarang, Charisma (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Sings He Was 'About to Be a Father' on New Track". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  17. ^ Rossignol, Derrick (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Seemingly Hints At A Pregnancy Scare On 'Why Why Why,' A Vulnerable New Song". Uproxx. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  18. ^ Coleman, Ryan (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes reveals he was 'about to be a father' in new song 'Why Why Why': 'Shook me to the core'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  19. ^ "Shawn Mendes Reveals He Was Almost A Father In Emotional 'Why Why Why' Lyrics". Capital. August 9, 2024. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  20. ^ Gupta, Surabhi (August 10, 2024). "Shawn Mendes' New Single Reveals the Singer 'Was About to Be a Father'; Here's All You Need to Know". Pinkvilla. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  21. ^ Aerin Becker, Emma (August 9, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Sings He Was 'About to Be a Father' in New Single 'Why Why Why': 'Shook Me to the Core'". People. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  22. ^ Farrell, David (August 12, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Has This Week's Hottest New Radio Track in Canada". Billboard Canada. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  23. ^ Trapunski, Richard (August 19, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Single 'Why Why Why' Is Still The Hottest Radio Track in Canada". Billboard Canada. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Shawn Mendes Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  25. ^ @billboardcharts (August 19, 2024). "@ShawnMendes' "Why Why Why" debuts at No. 84 on this week's #Hot100" (Tweet). Retrieved August 20, 2024 – via Twitter.
  26. ^ a b "Shawn Mendes Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  27. ^ a b "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Shawn Mendes – Why Why Why" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 34, 2024" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Shawn Mendes Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved August 20, 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Shawn Mendes – Why Why Why". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved August 18, 2024.
  32. ^ a b "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 33, 2024". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  33. ^ a b "IRMA – Irish Charts: Week 33, 2024". Irish Recorded Music Association. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Rees, Katrina (August 11, 2024). "Shawn Mendes kicks off new era with 'Why Why Why' & 'Isn't That Enough'". CelebMix. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  35. ^ Irvin, Jack (August 8, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Releases Music Video for Brand-New Single 'Why Why Why' from Upcoming Fifth Album". People. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  36. ^ Paul, Larisha (August 1, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Will Perform New Album From Top to Bottom on Intimate Tour". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  37. ^ Denning, Reagan (August 1, 2024). "Shawn Mendes is taking the stage once again 'For Friends and Family Only'". Melodic Magazine. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  38. ^ Murray, Robin (August 14, 2024). "Shawn Mendes Previews New Album With Emotional London Show". Clash. Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  39. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of August 21, 2024". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  40. ^ "Shawn Mendes – Why Why Why" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
  41. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. August 19, 2024. Retrieved August 16, 2024.
  42. ^ "Shawn Mendes – Why Why Why". AFP Top 100 Singles. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  43. ^ "BGM Chart – Week 32 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  44. ^ "Download Chart – Week 32 of 2024". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved August 15, 2024.
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