You know that feeling when a song just clicks? That driving guitar riff starts, the beat kicks in, and suddenly you're shouting the chorus at the top of your lungs in your car. For millions of us, that song is "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back." Released in April 2017 as a fresh addition to the deluxe reissue of Shawn Mendes's second album, Illuminate, it quickly became a global powerhouse.
But here is the thing. Most people assume the song is about a whirlwind romance with a real-life superstar or a secret girlfriend.
Actually? It's not.
Shawn eventually let the cat out of the bag during a Q&A on his Illuminate World Tour. He admitted that the there's nothing shawn mendes lyrics were actually inspired by a fictional character from a movie script he was reading. He had been considered for a role and grew so attached to the female lead in the script that he wrote this high-energy anthem about her. It’s kinda wild to think that one of the most relatable "real-world" love songs of the late 2010s is essentially fan-fiction written by the artist himself.
What These Lyrics Actually Mean
When you look at the opening lines—"I wanna follow her where she goes / I think about her and she knows it"—it sets up this immediate, almost breathless tension. It isn't just a crush. It’s about a person who strips away your "inhibitions."
That word pops up in the chorus and it's the anchor for the whole track.
💡 You might also like: Is Steven Weber Leaving Chicago Med? What Really Happened With Dean Archer
"You take all my inhibitions / Baby, there's nothing holdin' me back"
Usually, Shawn’s music up to that point had been a bit more reserved. Think "Stitches" or "Mercy." They were heavy, soulful, and a little bit sad. This track was a pivot. It was assertive. It was "shaking" and "crazy."
The lyrics explore the idea of a partner—fictional or not—who pushes you to do things you'd normally be too scared to try. You know, the kind of person who "takes you places that tear up your reputation." It’s about the reckless side of love where you stop overthinking and just move.
The Writing Team Behind the Magic
Shawn didn't do this alone. He sat down with his frequent collaborators to nail this specific sound. The credits read like a "who’s who" of pop-rock architects:
- Teddy Geiger: The secret weapon behind much of Shawn’s early success.
- Scott Harris: A long-time co-writer for Shawn.
- Geoff Warburton: Another key player in the Mendes camp.
They wanted something more "funky" and "assertive" than the rest of Illuminate. They landed on this "folktronica" vibe—mixing organic acoustic elements with a driving, synthetic pulse. Honestly, it was a genius move. It bridged the gap between his singer-songwriter roots and the massive pop star he was becoming.
📖 Related: Is Heroes and Villains Legit? What You Need to Know Before Buying
The Reputation Line: A Misconception?
There is a specific line that always gets people talking: "You take me places that tear up my reputation."
Back in 2017, fans were convinced this was a subtle nod to a high-profile relationship. Was it about Camila Cabello? Was it about Hailey Bieber? At the time, the rumor mill was spinning at a thousand miles an hour.
But if we take Shawn at his word—that it's about a movie script—the line takes on a different flavor. It’s about a character who is a "bad influence" in the best way possible. It’s that trope of the straight-laced guy falling for the girl who isn't afraid of anything. "She says that she is never afraid / Just picture everybody naked," he sings in the second verse. It’s playful, a bit silly, and perfectly captures that feeling of being totally disarmed by someone else’s confidence.
Why the Song Still Dominates Playlists
It’s been years, and yet you still hear this track in every grocery store, gym, and wedding reception. Why?
- The Tempo: It’s roughly 122 beats per minute. That is the "sweet spot" for human movement.
- The Vocal Performance: Shawn pushes his range here, hitting those raspy "Oh, I've been shaking" notes that feel raw and urgent.
- The Bridge: The bridge is a masterpiece of tension and release. "If we lost our minds and we took it way too far / I know we'd be alright." It’s a reassurance. It’s the "nothing holdin' me back" philosophy in a nutshell.
The song eventually hit number one on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart and reached the top 10 on the Hot 100. It wasn't just a hit; it was a career-defining moment that proved Shawn could handle high-tempo rock-pop just as well as he could handle a ballad.
👉 See also: Jack Blocker American Idol Journey: What Most People Get Wrong
Applying the "No Inhibitions" Mindset
While the song started with a fictional character, the there's nothing shawn mendes lyrics offer a pretty solid lesson for the rest of us. We spend so much time "guessing" and "hesitating"—words Shawn specifically uses to describe the tension.
The actionable takeaway? Sometimes you have to let someone (or some goal) "manipulate your decisions" for the better. If you're stuck in a rut, find that thing that makes you feel "so free" and lean into it. Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Stop worrying about your reputation.
If you want to dive deeper into Shawn's discography, compare this track to "In My Blood." You'll see how he transitioned from the external excitement of "Holdin' Me Back" to the internal struggle of his later work. It’s a fascinating evolution of an artist who started with a YouTube channel and ended up at the top of the world.
To really appreciate the craft, go back and listen to the acoustic version. It strips away the "folktronica" production and leaves just the raw, frantic energy of the lyrics. It reminds you that at its core, this is a song about the scary, beautiful moment when you finally decide to go all in.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out the official music video featuring Ellie Bamber to see the "fictional" inspiration brought to life.
- Listen to the MTV Unplugged version for a more soulful, jazz-influenced take on the track.
- Compare the lyrics to "Lost in Japan" to see how Shawn's "assertive" writing style evolved over time.