A few days after his new single leaked online, Shawn Mendes has officially debuted “If I Can’t Have You.” Produced by Ojivolta, Nate Mercereau, Scott Harris, Teddy Geiger, and Mendes himself, the song draws inspiration from one of the industry’s biggest bands: The 1975.
In a recent Q&A session on YouTube Live (transcribed by Genius contributors rihanti and Amy Livermore), Mendes revealed that he’s been listening to the group’s latest album, A Brief Inquiry Into Online Relationships, while working on new music:
Truthfully, my inspiration behind the song musically was from The 1975! Not to say it sounds crazy like them but I was obsessed with their album while making this song!
He previously expressed his fandom for the band on Twitter, much to the delight of frontman Matthew Healy:
“If I Can’t Have You” is an upbeat track about Mendes' infatuation with someone unattainable:
I can’t write one song that’s not about you
Can’t drink without thinking about you
Is it too late to tell you that
Everything means nothing if I can’t have you?
Although Mendes said that “If I Can’t Have You” isn’t the start of a new album cycle, the pop star is set to take the stage on Saturday Night Live this weekend, where he could debut even more new material. His last album, a self-titled project, dropped in 2018, spawning hits like “In My Blood” and “Youth” featuring Khalid.
Listen to the song above and catch up on all the lyrics to Shawn Mendes' “If I Can’t Have You” on Genius now.
