Shawn Mendes and Khalid represent for the “Youth.” The pop heartthrob and R&B crooner join forces on an optimistic joint from the former’s forthcoming self-titled album.
The acoustic guitar-driven song, recorded in the aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing, focuses on youthful hope through despair. “Waking up to headlines filled with devastation again, my heart is broken but I keep going,” sings Mendes. “Pain, but I won’t let it turn into hate / No, I won’t let it change me.”
Together, the duo teams up for the chorus. “You can’t take my youth away,” they sing triumphantly. “This soul of mine will never break / As long as I wake up today / You can’t take my youth away.”
Shawn co-produced the single with Joel Little and also co-wrote the track with Khalid, Scott Harris, Geoff Warburton, and Teddy Geiger. It will appear on his self-titled LP, which is due May 25.
On top of joining Shawn for this collaboration, Khalid also keeps the covers rolling. Recently, he covered Post Malone’s acoustic guitar-driven “Stay” onstage. Backed by an exploding car, the soulful crooner revamped the beerbongs & bentleys cut.