Shawn Mendes reveals he was 'about to be a father' in new song 'Why Why Why': 'Shook me to the core'

The singer gets candid in the lyrics of the lead single from his upcoming fifth album, singing about (almost) fatherhood, friends, and former lovers.

Shawn Mendes is going confessional.

Despite maintaining a fairly private personal life for a star of his caliber, the 26-year-old singer gets vulnerable in new song "Why Why Why," the lead single to his upcoming self-titled album.

"I thought I was about to be a father. / Shook me to the core, I'm still a kid," Mendes sings.

"Why Why Why" begins as a poignant ballad, with Mendes declaring his intentions to bare his soul from the jump: "Opened up my journal to a page, / everything that hurts me's still the same."

By the time Mendes sings about the major sliding-doors moment of potentially becoming a father, the song has exploded into a raucous anthem with a country twang.

Related: Shawn Mendes makes surprise appearance at Ed Sheeran show after nearly yearlong touring hiatus

"Why Why Why" was released on August 8 alongside "Isn't That Enough," another single from his upcoming fifth studio album, Shawn. This is Mendes' first new solo song since last year's "What the Hell Are We Dying For?," which caused minor controversy for featuring an image of a wildfire smoke-covered NYC skyline, indicating the song may be read as eco-political criticism, but might also just be about ex Camilla Cabello.

Another line from "Why Why Why" which has fans abuzz — and might also concern Cabello — goes, "Visions of her naked in my head, / but I went off and chose myself instead." Mendes has long prized honesty in his songwriting. He even released a song called "Honest" on his 2016 album Illuminate.

"It's that I hate to hurt you / But I got to be honest / I can't give you what you need / You deserve more than I can promise," he sang.

Related: Mariah Carey accidentally wishes Shawn Mendes a 'Happy Thanksgiving' on St. Patrick's Day

Mendes' honesty extends to his personal mental health struggles as well. The "Señorita" singer canceled his 2023 world tour mid-circuit after consulting with a "group of health professionals." After hitting a "breaking point" he decided to "take the time I've never taken personally" to "come back stronger."

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"It felt pointless to dance around" being honest in his new music, Mendes said in an August 9 interview on Apple Music 1 with Zane Lowe. "I think it feels just really liberating even just to be in a space where I’ve done that as a writer. Now I feel more free to do that as a human.”

Is the "Why Why Why" lyric yet another coded reference to Cabello? Will he make even more on other Shawn songs? We'll have to wait until it releases on October 18 to hear more.

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.