Shawn Mendes has released a powerful new single, “Heart of Gold”, which delves into the pain and bittersweet memories of losing a close friend too soon. Written in memory of a childhood friend who passed away from a drug overdose, the song captures Shawn’s regret and heartbreak over not being there in his friend’s final moments.
He opens the song with vulnerable lines: “Honestly, it’s been a while since I thought of you… I didn’t know what you were going through / I’m sorry that I wasn’t there.” Mendes honours his friend’s impact in the chorus: “You had a heart of gold… You left too soon, it was out of your control.”
At a recent live show in New York City, Mendes took the tribute further by dedicating “Heart of Gold” to One Direction’s Liam Payne following the news of his passing. Stopping to address the audience, Mendes said, “Liam had a beautiful spirit… It was heartbreaking to hear the news.” He described the song as both a way to grieve and celebrate those who have left their mark on the world: “It’s about remembering who they were and the love they gave.”
Mendes’ career has been full of achievements, with four No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200, starting with his debut album Handwritten, and his hit “Señorita” with Camila Cabello reaching the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Other songs, like “Stitches” and “Treat You Better,” have also claimed spots in the Billboard Top 10, solidifying his role as one of pop’s leading voices.
