ONEYEARWARMUSIC – Hey there! Let’s dive into one of Shawn Mendes’ early hits that really put him on the map. I’ve always been fascinated by the way this track blends pop and R&B influences. So, grab a drink, and let’s break down “I Know What You Did Last Summer.”
The Basics
First things first, let’s get the technical details out of the way:
- Title: I Know What You Did Last Summer
- Artists: Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello
- Released: November 18, 2015
- Album: Handwritten Revisited
- Key: A minor
- Tempo: 114 BPM
Full Lyrics
Ah-ah, hey-hey
Ah-ah, ah-ah
Ah-ah, hey-hey
Ah-ah, ah-ah
He knows
Dirty secrets that I keep
Does he know it's killing me?
He knows, he knows
D-d-does he know
Another's hands have touched my skin?
I won't tell him where I've been
He knows, he knows, he knows
It's tearing me apart
She's slipping away (I'm slipping away)
Am I just hanging on to all the words she used to say?
The pictures on her phone
She's not coming home (I'm not coming home)
Coming home, coming home
I know what you did last summer (ah-ah)
Just lied to me, "There's no other" (hey-hey)
I know what you did last summer
Tell me where you've been
I know what you did last summer (ah-ah)
Look me in the eyes, my lover (hey-hey)
I know what you did last summer
Tell me where you've been
I know, I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I know, I know, I know (hey-hey)
I know, I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I didn't mean it, no (ah-ah), I didn't mean it, mean it, no (hey-hey)
Can't seem to let you go (ah-ah)
Can't seem to hold you close (ah-ah)
I know
When she looks me in the eyes
They don't seem as bright
No more, no more
I know
That she loved me at one time
Would have promised her that night
Cross my heart and hope to die
It's tearing me apart (it's tearing me apart)
She's slipping away (I'm slipping away)
Am I just hanging on to all the words she used to say?
The pictures on her phone (the pictures on my phone)
She's not coming home (I'm not coming home)
Oh, na, na, na, oh, yeah
I know what you did last summer (ah-ah)
Just lied to me, "There's no other" (hey-hey)
I know what you did last summer
Tell me where you've been
I know what you did last summer (ah-ah)
Look me in the eyes, my lover (hey-hey)
I know what you did last summer
Tell me where you've been
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know, I know
I know, I know, I know (no, no)
Can't seem to let you go
Can't seem to keep you close
Hold me close
I can't seem to let you go
Can't seem to keep you close (you know I didn't mean it, though)
Tell me where you've been lately
Tell me where you've been lately
Just hold me close
Tell me where you've been lately
Tell me where you've been lately (don't, d-d-don't let me go)
Can't seem to keep you close
Can't seem to let you go (I didn't mean it, though)
I know you didn't mean it, though
I know you didn't mean it, though (I don't wanna let you go)
Tell me you didn't mean it, though (no, no, no)
Tell me you didn't mean it, though (can't seem to let you go)
I know you didn't mean it, though (seem to let you go)
I wanna know you mean it, though (hold me close)
I know you didn't mean it, though (just hold me close)
I know you didn't mean it, though
I can't seem to let you go
Can't seem to hold you close
I know what you did last summer (ah-ah)
Just lied to me, "There's no other" (hey-hey)
I know what you did last summer
Tell me where you've been
I know what you did last summer (ah-ah)
Look me in the eyes, my lover (hey-hey)
I know what you did last summer
Tell me where you've been
I know, I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I know, I know, I know (hey-hey)
I know, I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I know, I know, I know (ah-ah), hey
I know, I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I know, I know, I know (hey-hey)
I know, I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I know, I know, I know (ah-ah)
I knowThe Story Behind the Song
Alright, so picture this: it’s 2015, and two rising stars in the pop world, Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, decide to collaborate. At the time, Shawn was riding high on the success of his debut album “Handwritten,” while Camila was still part of the girl group Fifth Harmony.
The story goes that they wrote this song backstage during Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour, where Shawn was an opening act. Talk about a star-studded writing session, right? It’s crazy to think about how much has happened since then, with both of them becoming major solo artists in their own right.
Diving into the Lyrics
Let’s break down some of the key lyrics and what they might mean:
He knows
Dirty secrets that I keep
Does he know it's killing me?
He knows, he knows
D-D-Does he know
Another's hands have touched my skin
I won't tell him where I've been
He knows, he knows, he knowsRight off the bat, we’re thrown into this intense, secretive atmosphere. The song is all about guilt, betrayal, and the fear of being found out. It’s a universal theme that resonates with so many people, which is part of why I think it became such a hit.
The use of repetition in “He knows, he knows” creates this paranoid feeling, like the guilt is eating away at the singer. As a songwriter, I love how they’ve captured that anxiety in such a simple phrase.
It's tearing me apart
She's slipping away (I'm slipping away)
Am I just hanging on to all the words she used to say?
The pictures on her phone
She's not coming home (I'm not coming home)
Coming home, coming homeThis part of the chorus is where the duet really shines. The back-and-forth between Shawn and Camila creates this dialogue between two people in a relationship that’s falling apart. It’s like we’re hearing both sides of the story simultaneously.
The line “Am I just hanging on to all the words she used to say?” is particularly poignant. It captures that moment in a failing relationship where you’re questioning everything, wondering if what you had was even real.
Finding the Song by Its Lyrics
You know, it’s funny how sometimes a song can stick in your head, but you can’t quite remember the title or who sang it. That’s where the ability to find a song name by lyrics comes in handy. With “I Know What You Did Last Summer,” the title is pretty distinctive, but imagine if you only remembered the line “Another’s hands have touched my skin.” These days, you can just type that into a search engine or use a lyrics database, and boom – you’ve found the song.
It’s a game-changer for music lovers and has probably saved countless hours of frustrated humming and half-remembered choruses. As a musician, I’m torn about whether this is a good thing. On one hand, it’s great that people can easily find and enjoy music. On the other, there was something magical about the hunt for a half-remembered song. But I guess that’s just another way technology is changing how we interact with music, right?
The Musical Elements
Now, let’s talk about the music itself. The song is in A minor, which gives it this melancholic, introspective feel right from the start. The tempo sits at a moderate 114 BPM, creating a sense of urgency without going full-on dance track.
The instrumental backdrop is relatively sparse, which I think is a smart choice. It allows the vocals to really shine and keeps the focus on the emotional narrative of the lyrics. You’ve got this pulsing, syncopated guitar riff that drives the verses, punctuated by percussive elements that add tension and drive.
The chorus opens up with bigger, more sustained chords, giving it that anthemic quality that makes you want to sing along. It’s a classic pop structure, but executed really well.
One thing I particularly love is the use of vocal harmonies. Shawn and Camila’s voices blend beautifully, and the way they weave in and out of harmony adds depth and emotion to the track.
The Production
The production on this track is slick but not overproduced. You can hear the influence of both pop and R&B in the way the vocals are treated and in the overall sound palette.
There’s a nice use of space in the mix. The verses feel intimate, with the vocals upfront and the instrumentation pulled back. Then in the chorus, everything expands, creating this wall of sound that really drives home the emotional impact of the lyrics.
Little production touches, like the echo on “coming home” at the end of the chorus, add to the overall atmosphere of the song. It’s these small details that can really elevate a track from good to great.
The Impact
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” was a significant milestone for both Shawn and Camila. It was Shawn’s first major collaboration and Camila’s first release outside of Fifth Harmony. The song peaked at number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum in several countries.
But beyond the charts, I think this song really showcased their potential as artists. It demonstrated Shawn’s ability to craft a catchy, emotionally resonant pop song, and it gave Camila a chance to shine as a vocalist outside of her group.
The Music Video
We can’t talk about this song without mentioning the music video. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out! It’s a visually striking piece that plays with the metaphor of a stormy relationship.
Throughout the video, Shawn and Camila are caught in this surreal, stormy landscape. They’re constantly trying to reach each other but are held back by wind and waves. It’s a really clever visual representation of the song’s themes of separation and the struggle to maintain a relationship.
The video also plays with temperature, contrasting scenes of ice and fire. This mirrors the hot-and-cold nature of the relationship described in the song. As a visual artist as well as a musician, I always appreciate when a music video adds another layer of meaning to a song rather than just being eye candy.
The Legacy
Looking back from 2024, it’s interesting to see how this song fits into both Shawn and Camila’s careers. For Shawn, it was an early indication of his ability to craft emotionally charged pop hits. He’s gone on to release multiple successful albums and become one of the biggest names in pop music.
For Camila, this collaboration was a stepping stone towards her solo career. She left Fifth Harmony about a year and a half after this song’s release and has since become a major pop star in her own right.
Interestingly, Shawn and Camila went on to collaborate again and even dated for a while, which adds another layer to this song when you listen to it now. Their relationship was highly publicized, and fans often pointed back to this song as the beginning of their romantic connection.
Personal Reflections
As a musician myself, I find a lot to admire in this track. The way it blends pop and R&B influences, the clever use of a duet to tell a two-sided story, and the overall production quality all stand out to me.
One thing I particularly appreciate is how the song manages to be both radio-friendly and lyrically meaningful. It’s catchy and easy to sing along to, but it’s also dealing with complex emotions and relationship dynamics. That’s a balance that’s not always easy to strike in pop music.
I also think this song is a great example of how collaboration can elevate a track. Shawn and Camila’s voices complement each other beautifully, and their chemistry comes through in the performance. It’s a reminder of how powerful it can be to find the right creative partners.
The Chords
The guitar chords for “I Know What You Did Last Summer” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello. The song is in the key of A minor. Here are the main chords used throughout the song:
Am - A minor
F - F major
C - C major
G - G majorThe basic chord progression for most of the song goes like this:
Verse: Am - F - C - G
Chorus: Am - F - C - GFor a more detailed breakdown:
- Intro/Verse:
Am F C G
Am F C G- Pre-Chorus:
Am F C G
Am F C G- Chorus:
Am F C G
Am F C G- Bridge:
F C G Am
F C G AmRemember, these are the basic chords. The actual song includes some variations and embellishments, but this chord progression will allow you to play along with the basic structure of the song.
When playing, pay attention to the rhythm and strumming pattern to capture the feel of the song. The track has a bit of a syncopated feel, so you might want to experiment with different strumming patterns to find what works best for you.
In Conclusion
“I Know What You Did Last Summer” is more than just a catchy pop song. It’s a clever piece of storytelling, a showcase for two rising stars, and a masterclass in pop songwriting and production.
From its minor key melodies to its emotionally charged lyrics, from its slick production to its visually stunning music video, this track demonstrates why Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello have become such significant figures in contemporary pop music.
As we continue to follow their careers, it’s fascinating to look back on this early collaboration and see the seeds of the artists they would become. Whether you’re a fan of pop music, a fellow musician, or just someone who appreciates a well-crafted song, “I Know What You Did Last Summer” is definitely worth a listen (or a re-listen).
So, what do you think? Does this song hit you the same way it hits me? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Maybe we could even try our hand at covering it sometime – I’ve got some ideas for a stripped-down acoustic version that could be really interesting. Let me know if you’re up for it!
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