| Why Why Why | |
| Cover: | Shawn-Mendes Why-Why-Why-Isn-t-That-Enough 7-Single.png |
| Alt: | Shows the back of Shawn Mendes as he jumps into a lake surrounded by trees |
| Type: | single |
| Artist: | Shawn Mendes |
| Album: | Shawn |
| B-Side: | Isn't That Enough |
| Genre: | Folk-pop |
| Length: | 2:49 |
| Label: | Island |
| Producer: |
|
| Prev Title: | Witness Me |
| Prev Year: | 2023 |
| Title2: | Isn't That Enough |
| Next Title: | Nobody Knows |
| Next Year: | 2024 |
"Why Why Why" is a song recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes for his 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, Netherlands, and Poland as well as the top 60 in Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and on the Billboard Global 200. Additionally, it debuted at number 84 on the US Hot 100.
In order to protect his own mental health, Canadian singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes announced the cancellation of his fifth concert 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 tease 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. 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, and released it to US contemporary hit radio on the following day in company with Republic Records.
"Why Why Why" is a folk-pop track[10] [11] with touches of country music.[12] In its vulnerable lyrics,[13] Mendes expresses himself about his own mental health issues and struggles with anxiety that led him to cancel his tour, as well as a previous relationship.[14] A verse of the song about Mendes imaginating a potential future as a father and a "pregnancy scare" received media coverage.[15] [16] [17]
In an interview with Apple Music's Zane Lowe, Mendes opened up about the process of recording "Why Why Why". He cited that the anxiety he experienced estimulated his creativity.[18] 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".[19]
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". 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". She gave both songs a rating of eight out of 10. While adding "Why Why Why" to its list of the "must-hear" releases of the week, Billboard Jason Lipshutz said that it is "highly compelling", and finds Mendes "vulnerable to the point of sounding haunted".
Billboard Canada reported that "Why Why Why" was the most played new radio single in the country for two consecutive weeks.[20] [21] In the country, it debuted at number 30 on the Canadian Hot 100, marking Mendes' seventeenth top 40 single. The song debuted at number 84 on the US Billboard Hot 100 issued for August 24, 2024.[22] It reached number 59 on the UK singles chart. "Why Why Why" also peaked within the top 40 in Poland at number two, the Flanders region of Belgium at number 14, and on the Netherlands' Dutch Top 40 at number 27. It debuted at number 58 on the Billboard Global 200. Additionally, the song has reached number 51 in Switzerland, number 60 in Sweden, number 62 in Slovakia, number 65 in Ireland, number 87 in Germany, and number 111 in Portugal.
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.[23] 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.[24] It sees the singer enjoying freedom, a contrast to the emotions present in the track's lyrics.
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".[25] [26] [27]
| Peak position | |
| Croatia (HRT)[28] | 35 |
|---|---|
| Denmark Airplay (Hitlisten)[29] | 11 |
| Estonia Airplay (TopHit) | 189 |
| Germany (Official Airplay Charts)[30] | 2 |
| Ireland (IRMA)[31] | 65 |
| Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[32] | 18 |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[33] | 62 |
| New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[34] | 4 |
| Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[35] | 2 |
| South Korea (Circle)[36] | 40 |
| South Korea Download (Circle)[37] | 124 |
| Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[38] | 60 |
| Peak position | |
| Lithuania Airplay (TopHit)[39] | 71 |
|---|---|
| Slovakia (Rádio Top 100)[40] | 15 |
| Date | Format | Label | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | August 8, 2024 | Radio airplay | [41] | ||
| United States | August 9, 2024 | Contemporary hit radio | [42] |