Behind the Meaning of Shawn Mendes’ Redefining Track, “Why Why Why”

Shawn Mendes redefined himself in 2024 with the release of a couplet of songs. In the duo was a track titled “Why Why Why.” The passionate and self-loathing song saw Mendes lay his insecurities and short comings bare. It truly felt like the start of a new horizon in the singer’s career. Uncover the meaning behind this powerful track, below.

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Behind the Meaning of Shawn Mendes’ Redefining Track, “Why Why Why”

This folk-inspired track sees Mendes reckon with his past mistakes. It’s deeply introspective and, yet somehow, relatable. We all make decisions that seem to have no explanation. Mendes tries to find that impossible answer here.

Opened up my journal to a page
Everything that hurts me’s still the same
Feels like there’s nothin’ new for me to say
Why, why, why? Why, why, why?

This song takes the listener inside Mendes’ head. As such, it plays like a page out of his journal. He opens the song in that way to key the listener into the intimacy of these lyrics. Opened up my journal to a page / Everything that hurts me’s still the same, he sings.

Sweatin’ through the sheets, shakin’ in bed
Visions of her naked in my head
But I went off and chose myself instead
Why, why, why? Ease my mind

In the next breath, we learn the onus behind Mendes’ pain: heartbreak. More specifically, heartbreak he caused himself. Visions of her naked in my head / But I went off and chose myself instead, he sings. In response to that predicament, Mendes asks a question he knows he can’t answer: Why, why, why?

I stepped off the stage with nothin’ left
All the lights were f***in’ with my head
But here I am, singin’ songs again
Why, why, why? Ease my mind

In the second verse, we get references to Mendes’ career and its negative effects. Sometimes the spotlight can burn too brightly, burning out the person in its path. Mendes nods to that struggle. Given that Mendes has been less consistent with his releases over the last few years, the lines above start to paint a clear picture of an artist who was fed up with his stardom.

Feels like everything goes ’round and ’round
And ’round, and ’round, and ’round it goes
Feels like everything goes ’round and ’round
And ’round, and ’round, and ’round, and

The bridge is what first caught the attention of many listeners. I thought I was about to be a father / Shook me to the core, I’m still a kid, he sings. It’s an emotionally naked line that feels almost painful for Mendes to admit. It’s that kind of candor that makes this song so powerful.

I thought I was about to be a father
Shook me to the core, I’m still a kid
Sometimes I still cry out for my mother
Why, why, why? Why, why, why?

Check out this track, below.

(Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Shawn Mendes)