Shawn Mendes [1] is one of the most popular artists today, and when you listen to his music, it's easy to see why! From the supercatchy "Treat You Better," to the heartfelt ballad "Mercy," all the way to his most recent release with Camila Cabello [2], "Señorita," [3] Mendes consistently puts out some great songs. Though he's from Canada, Mendes has become an absolute staple in worldwide pop culture.
Ever since his first single release of "Life of the Party" back in 2014, Mendes has been killing the game. You may currently find yourself in my situation and be addicted to the "Lover" remix [4] that he and Taylor Swift [5] recently put out together. Whichever song is your favourite, it's pretty obvious that Mendes has never released a bad single. That being said, let's take a trip down memory lane as I offer my definitive ranking of his singles.
"I Know What You Did Last Summer" by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
This song is super catchy and showcases just how well Mendes and Cabello can work together. Released in 2015, both Mendes and Cabello were still coming into their own when it comes to music (Cabello was still a part of Fifth Harmony at this point). This duet only foreshadows even better music to come from both artists!
"Life of the Party" by Shawn Mendes
Mendes's earliest single is no doubt a bop. Released in 2014, "Life of the Party" gives us our first dose of Mendes's sweet songwriting and even sweeter voice. Mendes is known for showing great emotional depth in his music, and "Life of the Party" is a great example of that.
"Where Were You in the Morning?" by Shawn Mendes
Of all the singles released from Mendes's third, self-titled album, "Where Were You in the Morning?" ranks the lowest on my list. Don't get me wrong, it's a great song, but it only shows how Mendes's other singles are even better.
"Something Big" by Shawn Mendes
OK, this song is just fun. Lyrically, is it Mendes's best song? No, but I can't help but be in a good mood when I hear this song. It's upbeat and easy to listen to, and sometimes that's all it takes for a song to be great!
"Nervous" by Shawn Mendes
There's something that's really simple but sweet about this song. What's more relatable than feeling nervous when you're around someone you really like?
"Youth" by Shawn Mendes and Khalid
I'm a big Khalid fan, and I love that this song combines both Mendes's and Khalid's music styles perfectly. It's a bit of a simple song, but Mendes's and Khalid's voices sound so nice together.
"Stitches" by Shawn Mendes
I think "Stitches" may be the first song I ever heard by Mendes. I was immediately hooked — I loved the beat, lyrics, and his voice. Obviously, "Stitches" is an insanely popular song, and it's representative of Mendes's quintessential music style. It only keeps getting better from here!
"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes
Much like "Stitches," this song very much showcases Mendes's musical style. Honestly, this song is simply a banger. There's not really much else to say! It's fun and catchy, and his voice sounds great in this one.
"Treat You Better" by Shawn Mendes
According to Spotify, "Treat You Better" is Mendes's most streamed song. It's pretty easy to understand why, it's upbeat, romantic, and showcases Mendes's great vocal range. Not to mention, it's one of his best music videos.
"If I Can't Have You" by Shawn Mendes
This song is so damn catchy. The chorus is especially great; it's basically the type of song that makes you want to sing along in the shower. Perfect.
"Mercy" by Shawn Mendes
There's something about this song that has always really resonated with me. It's really vulnerable and easy to relate to — the pain of wanting someone who simply doesn't want you back. Even if they aren't trying to be malicious, there's still a lot of pain when it comes to unrequited love, and this song encompasses that feeling perfectly.
"Lost in Japan" by Shawn Mendes
This song ranks pretty high for me. It's honestly just such a fun, whimsical song. It reflects this feeling of both wanderlust, but also the fact that you could literally be off exploring the world — but you still can't get someone off your mind. This song is a banger, period!
"Señorita" by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
"Señorita" is Mendes's and Cabello's second song together, and it's definitely a bop. The song is incredibly popular right now — and with good reason. Obviously, both artists have great chemistry and it really reflects in this song. They've both come a long way since "I Know What You Did Last Summer"!
"In My Blood" by Shawn Mendes
Yes, "In My Blood" ranks at the top of my list for Mendes's singles. There are a few reasons for this. First, "In My Blood" perfectly encompasses how much Mendes's musical style has grown. Second, his vocals in this song are the most raw and vulnerable of all his songs. It's catchy, heartfelt, and gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling that you get when you hear a song that you really like.