Eight years ago, on May 25, 2018, Shawn Mendes handed the world his self-titled third studio album and quietly broke everyone who pressed play. Shawn Mendes was not just an album. It was a coming-of-age caught on tape, a softer and riskier version of the boy we had grown up with, served with a vulnerability that nobody fully saw coming. And honestly? It still wrecks us.
So, we did something deeply unwise. We replayed the whole thing front to back (several times, for science), and we ranked every single track by how much emotional damage it inflicts. Some songs are sunshine. Some songs are sitting on the kitchen floor at 1am. All of them earned a spot. Grab a tissue, honeybees. Counting down from least devastating to most!
14. ‘Particular Taste’
Pure finesse. This one is all confidence, no tears, and frankly, a vibe. The only damage here is the realization that Shawn knew he was that guy in 2018.
13. ‘Nervous’
Butterflies, shaky hands, sweaty palms. The damage level is a flushed face and maybe a tiny gasp. Cute. Giddy. Almost dangerous in its softness!
12. ‘Lost in Japan’
Long-distance fantasy energy with a side of jetlag. The kind of song that makes hopping a flight for someone feel like a totally reasonable life choice. Romantic damage only.
11. ‘Queen’
Sassy eye roll central. A whole “I’m over it” delivered with main character confidence. The damage is mostly to whoever the song is about.
10. ‘Like To Be You’ (feat. Julia Michaels)
A back and forth between two people who keep just missing each other. It stings, sure, but in a relatable rom-com way. The kind of song that ends with both people lying to themselves a little.
9. ‘Fallin’ All In You’
Tender. Surrendered. The damage here is realizing you have never actually felt this safe with anyone, and now you have to listen to a Shawn Mendes song to process that.
8. ‘Mutual’
Situationship anthem behavior. The slow ache of wanting more from someone who keeps giving you crumbs. We have all been there. Some of us are still there. (No comment…)
7. ‘Youth’ (feat. Khalid)
The only song on the album that builds us back up instead of taking us apart. Defiant, raw, full of “you can’t have this from me” energy. It hurts in the way healing hurts.
6. ‘Where Were You in the Morning?’
The morning after regret. The empty side of the bed. The dawn realization that the night before meant a lot more to you than it did to them. BRUTAL.
5. ‘Because I Had You’
Hindsight in song form. This one is for everyone who figured out too late what they had. The damage is cumulative. It hits harder every time!
4. ‘Perfectly Wrong’
Knowing in your bones that it is not going to work and choosing to fall anyway. A very specific flavor of self-destruction set to a guitar. Honestly? Iconic of him.
3. ‘Why’
The question we all whisper to ourselves. Why didn’t I matter? Why wasn’t I enough? Why are you fine and I am not? Devastating in its simplicity.
2. ‘In My Blood’
The mental health anthem of 2018, and arguably the bravest song on the whole record. Vulnerability with no armor. The kind of song that makes you stop walking, sit down, and breathe through it. Deeply.
1. ‘When You’re Ready’
The closer. The patient, painful, hopeful kind of waiting that does not have a deadline. Shawn knew exactly what he was doing, putting this song last. It is the gentlest knife on the entire album. We have not recovered!
Eight years on, Shawn Mendes still hits like it dropped yesterday. Some albums fade. This one keeps getting sharper. There’s something kind of beautiful about a record that grows up alongside the fans who first heard it. We came for the singles. We stayed because every single song meant something.
What’s your most emotionally damaging track from Shawn Mendes? Be sure to let us know by tweeting us at @thehoneypop or visiting us on Facebook and Instagram!
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