Lewis Capaldi reveals his peculiar songwriting process

Lewis Capaldi has revealed that he spends most of his time “hating” himself when writing songs but admits to have written some absolute bangers, and tripe.

The chart-topping singer revealed that he often finds songwriting to be an uncomfortable process. “Songwriting for me is like people say it’s like catharsis, and all the rest of it, it’s a beautiful thing but catharsis isn’t always comfortable or enjoyable,” the Bruises hitmaker told the host Sean Evans.

“I think I spend most of the time hating myself when I’m writing songs, and yeah I think that’s fine, I think it’s okay. I think that’s what gets… that’s my process.”

The singer explained that because he subjects his fans to the “pain” of listening to his often heartbreaking songs, he feels he should have to experience it too.

“I subject the general public to the pain of listening to my music so I feel like I should have to suffer as well,” the Someone You Loved singer shared in his usual self-deprecating manner.

The Forget Me hitmaker recently announced that he would be taking a break from his career to focus on his mental and physical health after struggling to complete his set at Glastonbury due to his Tourette’s syndrome in June.

Lewis Capaldi says record labels ‘know nothing’ about making a hit.

Capaldi’s 2019 song “Bruises”, the success of which made him the fastest unsigned artist to reach 25 million streams on Spotify.

“You just learn that you don’t know anything. You learn you don’t know anything and nobody has the answers,”.

“You don’t know what a hit is – every time I think a song is a smash hit, it’s been a complete abject f***ing failure,” the artist added in his typically self-deprecating manner.

“Labels know nothing, you know nothing. Nobody knows anything. No offence,” he concluded, gesturing to some unseen label executives in the room at the time.

The “Someone You Loved” singer signed to Capitol Records in 2019. His releases are distributed in the UK by Virgin EMI Records.

Lewis Capaldi had the most amazing start to his music career. So why is he stepping away from the limelight at the height of his success?

Lewis Capaldi: From Obscurity to Fame

Lewis Capaldi’s journey in the music industry has been a remarkable one. Despite appearing to rise to fame overnight, his success is the result of years of dedication and hard work. From his early introduction to music as a young child to his experience performing in his brother’s band, Capaldi honed his skills and learned how to captivate an audience. This would prove invaluable when he was eventually discovered, as fans flocked to see him perform.

The Road to Recognition

Before becoming an international pop star, Capaldi was already well-known in Scotland. However, it was when he made the decision to upload his original music on SoundCloud that his name truly spread worldwide. His song, initially titled “Something in the Water Part 2,” caught the attention of millions of users on the platform. This sudden surge of popularity compelled record executives to act swiftly and sign the burgeoning talent, despite the lack of traditional label promotion and fanfare.

Capaldi’s journey to becoming a top-selling artist did not come without its challenges. Like many unsigned artists striving to be heard, Capaldi uploaded a song about a breakup that he recorded on his iPhone. The response he received surpassed even the wildest expectations of established music artists. Shortly after uploading “Bruises” in 2017, Spotify noticed the tremendous number of downloads the song was accumulating. Capaldi quickly became the fastest unsigned artist to reach 250 million plays on the platform, a number that would continue to grow to over 28 million plays.

Recognizing the Extraordinary

Upon hearing Capaldi’s music and witnessing the overwhelming fan response, Ryan Walter, now Capaldi’s manager, wasted no time. He recognized the exceptional talent and potential in Capaldi’s work and swiftly secured a record deal for the “Someone You Loved” singer. In 2018, Capaldi began receiving music awards from various organizations across the UK and had the opportunity to open for renowned artists such as Ed Sheeran and Niall Horan. This recognition further solidified his growing reputation as an artist to watch.

The Journey Continues

In 2019, Capaldi announced his plans for a stadium tour, despite not having released a full album yet. However, his fans’ unwavering support was evident as they promptly sold out the entire tour. Additionally, Capaldi achieved another impressive milestone: becoming the first Scot since the 1980s to secure a number-one single on the Billboard 100 in the US. These accomplishments underscored Capaldi’s rapid ascent to success as an unsigned artist.

The Price of Success

The toll of success can be significant, and Capaldi was not exempt from its effects. Facing health issues, both physical and mental, Capaldi made the difficult decision to take a break from making music. Despite reaching a level of fame that few attain, he recognized that his overall well-being was paramount.

Capaldi openly discussed his mental health struggles, acknowledging how they had taken a toll on him, particularly during performances and tours. The decision to step back temporarily from the admiration of his fans was a necessary one, allowing him to prioritize his mental health and return stronger than ever.

A Balancing Act

Capaldi’s hiatus from touring has proven beneficial for his mental health. By avoiding the stressors that come with constant performances and life on the road, he has been able to better manage his anxiety and Tourette’s syndrome. Capaldi’s introspection and self-awareness have allowed him to strike a balance between his passion for music and his well-being. If his mental health deteriorates to a point where self-care becomes a challenge, he has stated that he would consider walking away from music altogether.

A Well-Deserved Break

Fans of Capaldi wholeheartedly supported his decision to take a break from touring starting in 2023 through 2024. During this hiatus, he will have the opportunity to savor the success of his second album, which debuted at number one. Even if Capaldi does not return to the music scene, he has undoubtedly made a lasting impact on the industry and will be remembered for his incredible talent and chart-topping achievements.