Fans Are Totally Heartbroken Over Shawn Mendes' New Song, And Here's Why
by Abby Zinman · BuzzFeedShawn Mendes is making a big return to music.
It's been 4 years since his last album, Wonder, came out — but he's officially back and better than ever. His new album, Shawn, is out on Nov. 15, but he's dropped a few singles since then. And from the sounds of it, he's stripped it back, giving us lots of raw, emotional songs.
Since Shawn is on tour, he has also played a few of the songs on his upcoming album at his shows. Among those songs is "The Mountain," which addresses his sexuality. "The real truth about my life and my sexuality is that, man, I'm just figuring it out like everyone," he said before playing the song last month.
One notable lyric from the currently unreleased song is "You can say I like girls or boys / whatever fits your mold / But I've never been better / so call it what you want."
Another new song currently on his tour setlist is "Heart Of Gold," and it was just officially released on Nov. 1. But clips of this song first started going viral on Oct. 19, the day after Shawn dedicated the performance to Liam Payne at his show in New York.
This happened two days after Liam's death, which happened on Oct. 16.
"We heard the news about Liam, and felt completely devastated," Shawn said before playing the song. "And I got to meet Liam a couple times, and he was a beautiful soul. And his eyes gleamed, and his beauty, shining through his eyes."
He sighed, and continued discussing the song. "It's about grieving those we miss. The tears. And it's also about celebrating them. Who they were, and what they loved in this world."
"And I just want to take a second to send so much love to him, wherever he is up there. We love you, and the world is crying for you, brother," Shawn said. "And we're all praying for your son, and your family, and we miss you, man. So this one's for you tonight, Liam, from all of us." He continued to play "Heart Of Gold."
Shawn has also opened up about the initial meaning behind the song. At his Oct. 28 show, he explained how he wrote the song for a close childhood friend named Dejomi, who passed away from a drug overdose when Shawn was 18.
He continued to talk about his grieving process. "About eight months ago, we're in the studio, and we're making music, and I keep hearing this phrase, 'heart of gold.' And the second it kind of dawned upon us that this song was going to be about [Dejomi], just like, years of unprocessed grief just hit me, and I was sobbing and sobbing," Shawn said.
"I kind of used this [song] as an opportunity to write him a letter: all the things I never got to say to him."
Shawn also discussed how playing the song on tour has shifted its meaning. "This has become about so much more than just my relationship with Dejomi," he said. "This has just become about everyone's relationship with losing someone and grief — whether that's losing someone meaning they've passed on, or losing someone in a relationship, or any way."
The lyrics to "Heart Of Gold" definitely reflect its emotional backstory. In the song, Shawn sings, "I didn't know what you were goin' through / I'm sorry I wasn't there / To hug your mama at the funeral." The prechorus also ends with a super tragic line: "We shot for the stars / I'll see you up there."
Shawn referenced Brian when explaining the song at his concert. He identified Brian as his best friend, and the person who called him to deliver the news about Dejomi.
And when the song dropped on Nov. 1, Shawn posted about the release on social media and added "This one's for you Dejomi."
Since the release, fans have really connected to the song, and many have attributed it to their personal experiences with grief. Others are simply expressing love for Shawn's music as a whole. But one thing's for sure: we all can't wait to listen to the full album.
“i didn't cry, i didn't even feel the pain, but then it hit me all at once, when we talked about you yesterday” #HeartOfGold 🧡 pic.twitter.com/2BTvrruZ0W
— lurian (@luriaraujo_) November 1, 2024
“you left us too soon, it was out of your control
underneath your skin and bone
you had a heart of gold” https://t.co/Z9b7mErjNv pic.twitter.com/eS21PZdmF3
— tereza (@newavetereza) November 1, 2024
me after listening to #HeartOfGold pic.twitter.com/0TnP85qiJH
— laura | SHAWN NOV 15 (@livinwonder) November 1, 2024