It was 2017. Shawn Mendes was already a thing, obviously, but he hadn't yet become the "Stadium Shawn" we know today. Then came that frantic, driving acoustic guitar riff. You know the one. Within weeks, There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back wasn't just another track on the deluxe version of Illuminate; it was a cultural shift for a kid who started on Vine. Honestly, it’s the song that proved he could do more than just pensive ballads about stitches and mercy. It had teeth.
The track arrived at a weirdly specific moment in pop history. We were transitioning out of the EDM-heavy "drop" era and moving toward something more organic, yet still aggressive. Produced by Teddy Geiger, who has been a massive architect of Shawn’s sound, the song feels like a caffeinated rush. It’s messy in a good way. It’s loud. It’s about that terrifying, exhilarating realization that someone is making you act completely out of character—and you kind of love it.
The Story Behind the Chaos
People forget that There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back wasn't even on the original release of the album. It was a late addition, a "let's see what happens" moment that ended up defining his entire career trajectory. Shawn has talked about how the song was inspired by a girl he was seeing at the time—not necessarily a specific person the tabloids could pin down, though fans have tried for years—but more about the feeling of being pulled into a whirlwind.
Geiger and Scott Harris worked with Shawn to create something that felt "edgy" without losing the radio-friendly sheen. If you listen closely to the pre-chorus, the tension builds through this syncopated rhythm that feels like a heartbeat speeding up. When the chorus hits, it’s not a synth explosion. It’s a wall of sound built on foot-stomps and heavy strumming. It’s tactile. You can almost feel the callouses on the fingers.
Why the Song "Works" Technically
Musically, it’s a bit of a freak of nature. It sits in a high tenor range that most guys can’t hit without sounding like they’re screaming, but Shawn manages to keep this rasp that feels intimate. The song is written in the key of B minor, which gives it that "dark but driving" energy. It’s not a happy-go-lucky bubblegum track. It’s a "let’s drive 90 miles per hour into the sunset and hope for the best" track.
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Most pop songs of that era relied on a very predictable 4/4 electronic beat. Shawn went the other way. He used the guitar as a percussive instrument. If you watch him play it live—especially during his 2019 tour—the guitar isn't just an accompaniment. He’s fighting it. That struggle is what gives the song its longevity. It feels human.
The Impact on the "Nice Guy" Image
Before this release, Shawn was often boxed into the "Boy with Guitar" trope. He was the safe, Canadian alternative to the more volatile pop stars of the time. There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back changed that perception. It introduced a level of lyrical confidence—some might even say cockiness—that hadn't been there before.
He’s singing about being "manipulated" by his own feelings. He likes that she’s "crazy." It’s a departure from the "treat you better" white-knight narrative. It’s more honest. It acknowledges the friction of a real relationship. Critics at the time, including those from Rolling Stone, noted that this was the moment Shawn found his "rock star" voice. He wasn't just a teen idol anymore; he was a songwriter who understood how to command an arena.
The Music Video and the "Travel" Aesthetic
The video featured Ellie Bamber and was shot across various locations in Europe. It looked like a high-end travel vlog before that was even a tired cliché. It sold a dream. It wasn't about a staged set or a dance routine. It was about movement. Trains, back alleys, stage wings—it captured the frantic life of a global superstar who is still, at his core, just a guy obsessed with a girl.
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That visual language helped the song explode on social media. It became the soundtrack to a million "summer dump" posts. It’s the ultimate "main character energy" anthem.
The Legacy of the 2017 Era
If you look at the charts today, you can see the DNA of this song in artists like Niall Horan or even the more upbeat tracks from Noah Kahan. It bridged the gap between folk-rock and Top 40 pop. It proved that you don't need a heavy bass drop to make people dance in a club. Sometimes, just a really aggressive acoustic guitar and a guy hitting a high A note is enough.
There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back also marked the peak of the Geiger/Mendes partnership. They found a formula that worked: high-stakes emotions, organic instrumentation, and a vocal delivery that feels like it’s being pulled out of his chest. It’s a masterclass in tension and release.
Common Misconceptions
One thing people get wrong is thinking this was his biggest hit. While it’s certainly his most recognizable "energy" song, "Senorita" actually holds higher streaming numbers. But ask any fan which song defines the "Shawn Mendes experience," and they’ll point to this one. It’s the one where the crowd's roar usually drowns out the PA system.
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Another myth is that the song was a calculated move to sound like Justin Timberlake. While there’s definitely a bit of that FutureSex/LoveSounds funk in the guitar line, the execution is purely singer-songwriter. It’s more John Mayer than JT if we’re being honest about the musicianship involved.
How to Really Listen to It
Next time you put it on, don't just listen to the chorus. Listen to the way the bass moves in the second verse. It’s surprisingly funky. It’s the anchor that keeps the song from flying off the rails.
- Pay attention to the vocal layering in the bridge. There are about four or five different Shawn voices happening at once, creating a "choral" effect that makes the final chorus feel massive.
- Notice the silence. Right before the last chorus kicks in, there’s a split second of near-silence. That’s the "holdin’ me back" moment—the pause before the plunge.
Taking it Further
If you’re a musician or just a fan who wants to dive deeper into the Shawn Mendes discography, you shouldn't stop at the radio hits. To see where the DNA of There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back went next, check out his self-titled 2018 album, particularly the track "Lost in Japan." It takes that same rhythmic energy but applies it to a more R&B-influenced sound.
For those trying to learn the song on guitar, the key isn't the notes—it's the strumming hand. You have to be aggressive. You have to treat the guitar like a drum. That’s the secret sauce.
Moving Forward
To get the most out of this track in a modern context:
- Listen to the "MTV Unplugged" version. It strips away the studio polish and shows just how much raw power the song has when it’s just a band in a room.
- Compare it to "In My Blood" to see the evolution from "I’m unstoppable" to "I’m struggling but pushing through."
- Use it as a benchmark for what high-energy acoustic pop should sound like.
The song isn't just a relic of late-2010s pop. It’s a blueprint. It’s a reminder that when you stop overthinking and just lean into the momentum, you usually end up with something that lasts.