Shawn Mendes Sings He Was ‘About To Be A Father’ In New Track But Is It True?

Canadian popstar Shaw Mendes celebrated his 26th birthday on August 8 with a special gift for his fans. He released his new single, Why Why Why, accompanied with a music video. He also dropped another track titled Isn’t That Enough, both of which are part of his upcoming fifth album, Shawn. The music video of Why Why Why, directed by Anthony Wilson and Connor Brashier, features Mendes performing in the serene setting of a barn and a flowing river. It also includes scenes of him singing in an empty venue.

The song has certainly caught everyone’s attention but specifically, it is the lyrics that have captured attention. Shaw Mendes sings about a past love he hoped would lead to a future, nearly becoming a father before the relationship ended. In the poignant final verse, he sings, “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?”

In a recent interview with Apple Music, Shaw Mendes explained the inspiration behind his song, Why Why Why. He shared that he didn’t feel any pressure to address any specific theme and the song naturally emerged from his experiences in the studio.

“I think ‘Why Why Why,’ like I said, I felt no pressure to address anything, but it was just one of those experiences where there kind of became this joke while we were making the album that was like, 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,” Mendes said.

“There was something anthemic about those words, ‘why, why, why.’ It almost felt like a cry. It felt like… I don’t know. It just felt powerful and beautiful,” he added.

Why Why Why and Isn’t That Enough are Shaw Mendes’ first solo releases since his 2023 charity single, What the Hell Are We Dying For?

Earlier this month, Shaw Mendes announced his self-titled album, set for release on October 18 on Instagram. He shared the album cover art alongside a video trailer and a heartfelt message.

“Music really can be medicine. 2 years ago I felt like I had absolutely no idea who I was. A year ago I couldn’t step into a studio without falling into complete panic. So to be here right now with 12 beautiful finished songs feels like such a gift,” he wrote.

Shaw also expressed gratitude to his collaborators, friends and family in the note, acknowledging their support through challenging times.