There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back

"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" is a vibrant celebration of a love that is liberating and exhilarating. The song's meaning revolves around the feeling of being with someone who pushes you out of your comfort zone and helps you shed your inhibitions. The narrative describes a relationship with a wild, unpredictable, and fearless partner. This person pulls the singer into a whirlwind romance, making him feel alive and free. Lyrically, it explores the idea of surrendering control and embracing the unknown for the sake of love and adventure. Phrases like "You take all my inhibitions" and "You take me places that tear up my reputation" highlight a willingness to risk social standing and personal stability for the intense connection he shares with this person. The song communicates that this love is so powerful it eliminates all fear and hesitation, allowing for a complete and uninhibited emotional experience.

The song narrates the exhilarating and slightly dangerous experience of being infatuated with a wild, adventurous woman. The singer is completely captivated by her, wanting to follow her wherever she goes. He is aware of his own fascination, and he suspects she knows it too. He willingly surrenders control to her because her proximity is intoxicatingly thrilling. She has a magnetic pull that keeps him perpetually guessing, a mystery he feels compelled to unravel. He reaches a point where he feels he must confess his deep feelings for her.

The relationship is intense and physically affects him, making him shake with excitement. He loves her unpredictable and 'crazy' side, as it strips away all of his self-consciousness and inhibitions. With her, he feels a profound sense of freedom, as if no barriers or fears can restrain him. This relationship pushes him into new territories, leading him to places and situations that could potentially damage his reputation. She has a powerful influence over his choices, seemingly manipulating his decisions, yet he embraces it without resistance, reiterating that nothing is holding him back from this thrilling journey.

The girl is depicted as fearless and bold. She advises him to overcome his own fears with a simple, disarming trick like picturing everyone naked. Her personality is defined by a dislike for waiting or hesitation; she is a woman of action. This impulsive nature continues to draw him in, making him feel that he has to reveal the depths of his emotions.

The bridge of the song explores the hypothetical extremes of their relationship. The singer imagines a scenario where they both 'lose their minds' and take things 'way too far.' However, there's no fear in this thought. Instead, he feels a strong sense of security and reassurance, confident that as long as they are together, everything will be alright. Even if they were to stumble and get lost in the dark, their connection would see them through. This reinforces the central theme: their bond is stronger than any potential negative consequence, making the risk of the adventure worthwhile.

The narrative culminates in a final, powerful restatement of the chorus. The shaking, the love for her wildness, and the complete shedding of inhibitions are all reaffirmed. The song concludes with the ultimate declaration of freedom and devotion, a feeling of being utterly untethered and free, all because of the intoxicating power of this love affair.

"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" was written by Shawn Mendes, Teddy Geiger, Geoff Warburton, and Scott Harris. It was produced by Teddy Geiger and Andrew Maury. The song was released on April 20, 2017, as a single for the reissue of Mendes' second studio album, Illuminate. Mendes stated that he wanted to release a fresh track for fans ahead of his Illuminate World Tour. The inspiration for the song was unique, as it wasn't about a real person in Mendes' life at the time. He revealed that the idea came from a character in a movie script he was reading for a potential acting role. Mendes fell in love with the female character and wrote the song from the perspective of his own character falling for her. The pre-chorus was inspired by the early works of Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. The distinctive guitar riff at the beginning was played on a guitalele (a hybrid of a guitar and ukulele) that Mendes had just acquired, adding a unique texture to the track. Mendes also mentioned he was quite sick on the day of recording, and he believes the strain in his voice on the chorus, which adds to the song's passion, was a direct result of him feeling unwell but excited about the song.

The song follows a relatively consistent rhyme scheme within its verses and chorus, often using simple, effective couplets (AABB) like "goes/knows" and "control/close" in the first verse to create a sense of forward momentum. The pre-chorus uses a similar pattern. The chorus, with its repeated title phrase, relies more on the rhythm and melody to create its hook. The rhythm is a standout feature of the song. It has an upbeat, driving tempo, making it highly danceable. The rhythmic structure is built around a strong, consistent beat with syncopated guitar riffs and a prominent bassline. This energetic rhythm perfectly matches the lyrical themes of exhilarating freedom and reckless abandon, creating a cohesive and impactful listening experience. The vocal melody often features rapid-fire delivery in the verses, contrasting with the more elongated, powerful notes of the chorus, which adds to the song's dynamic shifts.

Musically, "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" is a high-energy pop-rock track with elements of folktronica. It's characterized by a driving, funky guitar riff, handclaps, and a foot-tapping bassline that create a danceable and upbeat feel. The arrangement builds dynamically, with lifts and falls that highlight Mendes' vocal range and strength. His vocal delivery is a key stylistic element; it's described as gritty, hoarse, and passionate, especially on the aggressive hook, which conveys a sense of raw emotion and urgency. The use of a guitalele for the main riff provides a unique, almost tropical texture, which was inspired by early Timbaland and Justin Timberlake productions. Lyrically, the song uses a direct, confessional narrative voice, making the listener feel privy to the singer's internal monologue and intense feelings. The repetition of the title phrase serves as a powerful, anthemic hook.

"There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" was a major commercial success, becoming one of Shawn Mendes' signature songs. It reached number 6 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100, becoming his third top 10 single in the US and his highest-charting in Canada at the time. The song also performed exceptionally well internationally, reaching the top 5 in countries like the UK, Australia, Germany, and Ireland. It won Best Song at the 2017 MTV Europe Music Awards and Single of the Year at the 2018 Juno Awards. The song's music video, featuring actress Ellie Bamber, was filmed in various European cities and has amassed over a billion views on YouTube. The track was added to the reissue of Mendes' album Illuminate and featured prominently in his Illuminate World Tour. Its upbeat and anthemic nature has led to its use in various media contexts, solidifying its place as a memorable pop hit of the late 2010s.

The song employs several metaphors to convey the intensity and liberation of the relationship. The central theme of "nothing holdin' me back" is a powerful metaphor for absolute freedom and the shedding of personal fears and societal expectations. The relationship itself becomes a vehicle for this liberation. The lyrics "You take me places that tear up my reputation" and "Manipulate my decisions" are not meant to be taken as a negative depiction of a controlling relationship, but rather as a metaphor for how this love interest pushes the singer beyond his own self-imposed limits and comfort zone. Stumbling "in the dark" symbolizes navigating the unknown and facing challenges together, with the confidence that their bond will ensure they are "alright." This imagery reinforces the idea of trust and security within this wild and adventurous romance.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title, "There's nothin' holdin' me back." This line functions as the central hook and thematic core of the entire piece. Its repetition in the chorus transforms it into an anthem of liberation and fearless love. It's the ultimate declaration of the singer's state of mind. Another recurring idea is the partner's positive but disruptive influence, highlighted by the lines "You take all my inhibitions," "tear up my reputation," and "manipulate my decisions." These phrases are repeated in each chorus to emphasize the profound effect she has on him. The musical motif of the opening electric guitar riff is also crucial. It's instantly recognizable and reappears throughout the song, grounding the track and maintaining its high-energy, adventurous spirit.