Surprise Resurgence on the Global Charts
Shawn Mendes, the Canadian pop star who rose to fame in the mid-2010s with heartfelt acoustic ballads and catchy pop anthems, has once again found his way onto one of Billboard's most competitive global charts. This time, however, the hit is not a new release from his latest album, but a song he first released nearly a decade ago. "Treat You Better," the lead single from his second studio album Illuminate (2016), has debuted at No. 182 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, surprising many fans and industry observers.
The Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, introduced in 2020, ranks the most-consumed songs internationally, excluding streams and sales from the United States. This chart, alongside the Billboard Global 200, has become a key barometer of a song's global reach. For Mendes, whose career has been defined by massive global hits, this new entry marks his 11th career appearance on this particular tally. The last time he debuted a song here was in August 2024 when "Why Why Why," the lead single from his Shawn album, entered at No. 62.
The Debut of a Classic
"Treat You Better" was originally released in July 2016 as the first single from Illuminate. The song quickly became one of Mendes's signature hits, peaking at No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning multi-platinum certifications worldwide. Its return to the charts, though at a modest position, reflects a renewed interest in Mendes's earlier discography. The song's debut at No. 182 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. is notable not only because it is a decade-old track but also because it represents a new low in terms of peak position for Mendes on this chart. Previously, his lowest-peaking entry was "Teach Me How to Love," which stalled at No. 128 in 2020.
The reappearance of "Treat You Better" may be tied to several factors. First, streaming platforms often see sudden spikes when songs are featured in popular playlists, viral social media trends, or even during live performances. Mendes has been relatively quiet since the Shawn album era, but his back catalog remains a favorite among fans. Additionally, the song's timeless appeal—a blend of acoustic guitar, earnest vocals, and a message of youthful longing—continues to resonate with new listeners discovering his music for the first time. In an era where nostalgia drives much of the pop culture landscape, older hits often find their way back onto the charts without any active promotion from the artist.
Another Classic Climbing: "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back"
As "Treat You Better" makes its unexpected debut, another Mendes classic is also gaining ground. "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," a track originally released as a digital single in 2017 and later included on the deluxe edition of Illuminate, has jumped from No. 159 to No. 146 on the same Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. This upward movement brings the song closer to a significant milestone: it is now just one week away from tying "Señorita," Mendes's collaboration with Camila Cabello, as his longest-charting song on this tally. "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" has spent 98 weeks on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart, while "Señorita" has held on for 99 weeks. If the trend continues, Mendes will soon achieve a new personal best for chart longevity.
On the Billboard Global 200, which includes U.S. data, "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" has also reappeared, climbing to No. 129. That position makes it Mendes's second-lowest-peaking cut on that chart, but its staying power is undeniable. With 37 weekly turns on the tally, it ranks as his second-longest-running song behind only "Señorita," which has managed 73 frames. This dual-chart performance demonstrates that Mendes's earlier material continues to find an audience, even as his more recent work has struggled commercially.
The Context of a Challenging Era
The renewed interest in Mendes's older songs comes at an interesting time in his career. His self-titled 2024 album, Shawn, was intended to be a deeply personal and artistic statement. Upon its release in November 2024, it debuted at No. 26 on the Billboard 200, marking his lowest entry on the chart since his debut EP The Shawn Mendes EP (2014). None of the album's four singles—"Why Why Why," "Nobody Knows," "Heart of Gold," and "Isn't That Enough"—managed to become major hits. The project failed to produce a top 40 hit on the Hot 100 or any global smash, a stark contrast to his earlier dominance. Critics praised the album's introspection and maturity, but commercially it fell short of expectations.
This period has been one of reflection for Mendes. After a two-year hiatus from music, during which he prioritized his mental health and stepped away from the spotlight, he returned with Shawn. The album dealt with themes of vulnerability, self-doubt, and growth, but it did not capture the same mass appeal as his earlier, more radio-friendly pop hits. The tepid reception led to a quiet post-release period, with Mendes reducing his public appearances and social media activity. In this context, the sudden chart resurgence of "Treat You Better" and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" feels both unexpected and perhaps a little bittersweet: it suggests that while fans are not flocking to his new material, they still deeply connect with the sound that made him a star.
A Legacy of Longevity
Shawn Mendes's career has been built on a string of hits that have defined late 2010s pop music. Songs like "Stitches," "In My Blood," "If I Can't Have You," and "Señorita" have earned billions of streams and multiple chart records. The fact that a song from 2016 can still chart globally in 2025 speaks to the enduring quality of his earlier work and the loyalty of his fanbase. Moreover, the simultaneous rise of two tracks from the same album—Illuminate—highlights how that project continues to generate streams years after its release.
Illuminate was a pivotal album for Mendes. Released when he was just 18, it showcased a more mature sound while retaining the acoustic pop-rock foundation that had won him a teenage audience. "Treat You Better" was the album's breakout hit, with a music video that tackled domestic abuse and helped cement Mendes's image as a socially conscious artist. "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," added to the deluxe edition, became an even bigger success, reaching No. 6 on the Hot 100 and becoming a staple at his concerts. Together, these songs represent the peak of his commercial power during his early 20s.
What This Means for Mendes's Future
While it is too early to predict whether the resurgence of these older hits will translate into renewed interest in his upcoming projects, the chart movements provide some insights. The fact that Mendes can still generate streams and sales on a global scale without any new releases demonstrates his staying power in the industry. It also suggests that listeners may return to his classic catalog when they crave the familiar sound of his earlier era. For Mendes himself, this might be a source of encouragement—a reminder that his music has left a lasting imprint.
Several other factors could be at play. The rise of curated playlists on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube often revives older songs, especially when featured alongside newer titles. Social media platforms like TikTok can also create viral moments for past hits, as seen with other artists. While there is no evidence that a specific viral trend drove the chart moves for "Treat You Better" or "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back," the organic nature of streaming means that any significant uptick often comes from a combination of algorithmic pushes and listener word-of-mouth. Additionally, Mendes may have performed some of these songs during recent one-off appearances or events, though he has not embarked on a full tour for his 2024 album.
From a broader perspective, Mendes's situation reflects a common pattern in the modern music industry: artists often see their earlier work continue to generate revenue and chart placements long after its initial release. For example, artists like Fleetwood Mac, Queen, and even contemporary acts like Lana Del Rey have seen older songs experience chart revivals years later. Mendes is now part of that trend, proving that a strong back catalog can sustain an artist's relevance even during quieter periods.
Whether Mendes will use this momentum to release new music or simply enjoy the renewed love for his classics remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: as "Treat You Better" climbs the global charts and "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" inches toward a longevity record, Shawn Mendes is far from fading from the public consciousness. His old hits are still hitting the right notes with listeners around the world.
Source: Yahoo Entertainment News