Before You Go (Lewis Capaldi song)
| "Before You Go" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Lewis Capaldi | ||||
| from the album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent (Extended Edition) | ||||
| Released | 17 May 2019 | |||
| Length | 3:35 | |||
| Label | ||||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) | TMS | |||
| Lewis Capaldi singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Before You Go" on YouTube | ||||
"Before You Go" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, released as a single from the extended edition of his debut studio album Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent on 17 May 2019. The song was made available upon pre-order of the extended edition. The song was sent to US radio stations on 6 January 2020, as his second US single. It reached number one on the Irish Singles Chart in November 2019, and on the UK Singles Chart in January 2020, becoming Capaldi's second chart-topper in the UK and third in Ireland.
Background and composition
Capaldi revealed in a social media post that the song was "by far the most personal tune" he had ever written. According to Idolator, the song "deals with the emotional aftermath of suicide", and was inspired by the suicide of Capaldi's aunt while Capaldi was a child. "Before You Go" is played in the tempo of 112 BPM and key signature of E♭ major.
Critical reception
Clash Music's Robin Murray called the track "trademark Capaldi", further describing it as "a rousing piece of acoustic songwriting with a driving vocal".
Music video
Released on 24 January 2020, and directed by Kyle Thrash, the video is of happy moments recalled by a group of friends as they pay tribute to a young woman (played by actress Sasha Lane), whose suicide has shocked them, with clips of Lewis Capaldi playing his guitar and singing appearing occasionally.
The video has gained over 331 million views as of June 2023.
Personnel
Credits adapted from Tidal.
- Lewis Capaldi – songwriting, vocals
- Ben Kohn – songwriting, production, bass guitar
- Pete Kelleher – songwriting, production, keyboards
- Tom Bames – songwriting, production, drums
- Phil Plested – songwriting, background vocals
- Vern Asbury – guitar
- Rory Dewar – Art Design
- Robert Vosgien – master engineering
- Mark "Spike" Stent – mixing
- Chris Bishop – vocal engineering
Charts
Weekly charts
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Year-end charts
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Certifications
| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| Australia (ARIA) | 8× Platinum | 560,000‡ |
| Belgium (BEA) | 2× Platinum | 80,000‡ |
| Canada (Music Canada) | 5× Platinum | 400,000‡ |
| Denmark (IFPI Danmark) | 2× Platinum | 180,000‡ |
| France (SNEP) | Diamond | 333,333‡ |
| Germany (BVMI) | Platinum | 400,000‡ |
| Italy (FIMI) | 2× Platinum | 140,000‡ |
| New Zealand (RMNZ) | 5× Platinum | 150,000‡ |
| Poland (ZPAV) | 3× Platinum | 150,000‡ |
| Portugal (AFP) | 3× Platinum | 30,000‡ |
| Spain (PROMUSICAE) | Platinum | 40,000‡ |
| United Kingdom (BPI) | 4× Platinum | 2,400,000‡ |
| United States (RIAA) | Platinum | 1,000,000‡ |
| Streaming | ||
| Greece (IFPI Greece) | Gold | 1,000,000† |
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‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
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Release history
| Country | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | 19 November 2019 | |||
| United Kingdom | 22 November 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | ||
| 7 December 2019 | Adult contemporary radio | |||
| Italy | 13 December 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | Universal | |
| United States | 6 January 2020 | Adult contemporary radio | Capitol | |
| 7 January 2020 | Contemporary hit radio |
Usage in media
Capaldi has performed the song for Top of the Pops, the Swiss Music Awards, American Music Awards, Streamy Awards, and Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve.
American singer Jesse McCartney performed the song during the finale of The Masked Singer's third season. It was also sung by English singer Charlie Simpson during the finale of the UK version's fourth series.