Treat You Better

"Treat You Better" is a song that operates on two significant levels of meaning. On its surface, it is a direct and impassioned plea from the perspective of a young man to a woman he loves who is currently in a relationship with someone else. The narrator observes that she is unhappy and in a 'wrong situation,' and he confidently asserts that he can provide her with the love and respect she deserves, encapsulated in the line, "any girl like you deserves a gentleman." This narrative of romantic longing and the 'white knight' fantasy is a common trope in pop music, appealing to a sense of righteousness and unrequited love.

However, the song's meaning was deepened significantly by its music video, which portrays the woman in an abusive relationship. This context reframes the song as not just a tale of romantic rivalry, but as a statement against domestic violence. The narrator's plea becomes more urgent and significant; he is not just trying to win her over, but trying to save her from a dangerous and toxic environment. The video concludes with the number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, cementing its social message.

Years after its release, Shawn Mendes revealed in his 2020 Netflix documentary "In Wonder" that the song, like many of his others, was inspired by his then-unrequited feelings for fellow singer Camila Cabello. This personal layer adds a dimension of authentic youthful pining, revealing that the song was born from a real place of longing before he and Cabello eventually became a couple. Therefore, the song's meaning is multifaceted: it's a personal love song, a broader story of unrequited love, and a powerful anthem against domestic abuse.

The song's narrator directly addresses a woman he cares about, expressing his frank belief that her current romantic partner is not the right person for her. He can see the unhappiness on her face, even when she tries to convince herself and others that she's in love. He perceives her as being stuck in a detrimental situation, wasting her time and emotions on crying over a relationship that brings her pain. The narrator presents himself as the obvious, better alternative, someone she should be with instead.

He makes a heartfelt plea, emphasizing his conviction that he can offer her a superior kind of love and companionship. He frames his argument around the idea that a woman like her is deserving of a "gentleman," a standard he implies her current boyfriend fails to meet. The core of his message is a question of why they are wasting precious time while she suffers, when a happier alternative with him is readily available. This central idea is repeated with growing intensity, underscoring his desperation and certainty.

The narrator then offers grand, romantic promises to illustrate his devotion. He claims he would "stop time" for her the moment she expressed a desire for him to do so. His primary goal is to provide the affection and love he feels is absent from her life. He fantasizes about the simple joy of waking up next to her, portraying it as the fulfillment of all his needs and the start of a profoundly different and better reality for both of them. He again presses her to decide, to choose a new path.

The bridge of the song shifts from observation to a direct call to action. He asks for a sign, an indication that she's willing to consider his offer. He extends his hand, promising safety, reassurance, and unwavering support. He makes a solemn vow not to let her down and emphasizes that she doesn't have to face her struggles alone. This promise of steadfast companionship is his ultimate guarantee. The song concludes by powerfully reiterating his main assertion: he can treat her better than her current partner, reinforcing this claim multiple times to leave a lasting, definitive impression of his unwavering belief and desire.

"Treat You Better" was released on June 3, 2016, as the lead single from Shawn Mendes's second studio album, Illuminate (2016). The song was written by Mendes himself, alongside frequent collaborators Teddy Geiger and Scott Harris. Geiger also handled the primary production, with assistance from Dan Romer and DJ "Daylight" Kyriakides.

The writing process took place in Los Angeles. Scott Harris recalled that the creative vibe between the three writers was "immediately right," leading to the song coming together very quickly. An interesting detail from its creation is that the song was originally conceived as a "full-on reggae song." The entire feel of the track changed when they switched the guitar part right before recording the demo, shifting it into the pop-rock style it's known for.

In his 2020 documentary, In Wonder, Shawn Mendes revealed that the song was inspired by his long-standing, unexpressed feelings for Camila Cabello, with whom he had been friends for years. He explained that she had no idea the song was about her until he told her years later, stating, "Everything is about you. They've always been about you." This personal inspiration gives the song's pleading lyrics a layer of genuine romantic angst. The song was recorded in 2016, with the mixing process, handled by George Seara, notably utilizing an analogue SSL console to maintain an organic feel amidst the electronic elements.

The rhyme and rhythm of "Treat You Better" are foundational to its structure as a compelling pop anthem.

Rhyme Scheme: The song predominantly follows a simple, effective rhyme scheme that enhances its catchiness. In the verses, the pattern is roughly ABCB, as seen in lines like "I won't lie to you (A) / I know he's just not right for you (A) / And you can tell me if I'm off (C) / But I see it on your face (B)." This is a slight variation, with an AACA pattern in the first verse. The chorus uses a clear AABB structure: "he can" (A) rhymes with "gentleman" (A), and "crying" (B) rhymes with the implied "time" from the previous line. This straightforward scheme makes the lyrics memorable and easy to sing along to.

Rhythm: The song's tempo is set at a moderate 83 beats per minute (BPM), but some instrumental analyses place it at a double-time feel of 166 BPM. The rhythm is characterized by a distinctive, syncopated guitar riff that opens the song and reappears throughout. This rhythmic motif provides a slightly off-beat, propulsive energy. The verses have a sparser rhythmic feel, allowing the vocals to carry the narrative, while the chorus introduces a strong, driving drum beat that gives it an anthemic quality. This rhythmic contrast between verse and chorus builds tension and release, mirroring the song's emotional arc from pensive to passionate.

"Treat You Better" effectively blends musical and literary techniques to create its emotional impact.

Musical Techniques:

• Dynamic Build-Up: The song begins with a simple, syncopated guitar riff and Mendes's relatively gentle vocal, creating a sense of intimacy. As the song progresses into the chorus, it explodes with a driving beat, layered vocals, and a fuller band sound. This dynamic shift mirrors the lyrical transition from concerned observation to a passionate, desperate plea.
• Vocal Delivery: Mendes's vocal performance is crucial. He moves from a soft, earnest tone in the verses to a strained, powerful belt in the chorus and bridge. This raw, emotional delivery conveys a sense of urgency and deep-seated frustration.
• Instrumentation: The track combines organic and electronic elements. The core is built on acoustic and electric guitars, but it's supplemented with programmed drums and keyboards to give it a contemporary pop feel. This hybrid instrumentation helps it appeal to both pop and pop-rock audiences.

Literary Techniques:

• Rhetorical Questions: The central question, "Tell me why are we wasting time...?" is not seeking an answer but is a rhetorical device used to highlight the irrationality of the situation from the narrator's perspective.
• Direct Address: The song is sung in the second person ("I won't lie to you"), creating a direct, personal address to the song's subject, which makes the listener feel like a confidant or the subject herself.
• Repetition: The phrase "Better than he can" is repeated insistently at the end of the chorus, functioning as a mantra that drills the song's central message into the listener's mind. A study on Mendes's lyrics noted that alliteration, such as in "why are we wasting time on all your wasted crying," is a common device he uses to add emphasis.

"Treat You Better" was a major commercial success and had a significant cultural impact, cementing Shawn Mendes's transition from a Vine star to a global pop artist. As the lead single for his second album Illuminate, it was crucial in demonstrating his artistic growth. The song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the top ten in numerous countries, including Canada and the UK. It has been certified 7x Platinum in the US.

The song's most profound cultural influence stems from its music video. By tackling the theme of an abusive relationship and concluding with the number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the video was widely praised for raising awareness about a serious social issue. It has amassed over two billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most-watched music videos on the platform and amplifying its message to a massive global audience.

Critically, the song was well-received, being named one of the best pop songs of 2016 by both Billboard and The New York Times. It received several award nominations, including for the MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video. The revelation that the song was inspired by Camila Cabello added another layer to its cultural story, becoming a key piece of lore for fans of the two artists and their relationship. The song remains a staple of Mendes's discography and a widely recognized pop anthem of the 2010s.

The lyrics of "Treat You Better" employ direct language more than intricate metaphors, but contain several powerful symbolic elements and rhetorical devices.

• The "Gentleman": The repeated line, "any girl like you deserves a gentleman," serves as a central symbolic concept. The "gentleman" here represents an ideal of respect, kindness, and proper care, which stands in stark contrast to the unseen but implied mistreatment by the current boyfriend. It's not just a person, but a standard of behavior that the narrator promises to uphold.
• Stopping Time: The phrase "I'll stop time for you" is a classic hyperbole symbolizing an ultimate commitment and a desire to create a perfect, protected moment for the object of his affection. It represents the narrator's willingness to do anything, even the impossible, to win her over and make her happy, elevating his promise to a fantastical level.
• Wasted Time and Tears: The lyrics "Tell me why are we wasting time / On all your wasted crying" use the concept of 'waste' as a symbol for the pointlessness of her current suffering. It suggests that her pain is a squandered resource that could be converted into happiness if she were with him instead. The repetition of "wasted" emphasizes the tragedy of her situation in the narrator's eyes.

The most significant recurring motif in "Treat You Better" is the central promise and titular phrase, "I know I can treat you better than he can." This line, and its variations, serves as the song's thesis statement. It appears in every chorus and is repeated with increasing intensity, especially at the song's conclusion where it's chanted multiple times. This repetition is not just for catchiness; it functions as a powerful affirmation, reflecting the narrator's unwavering conviction and desperation.

Another recurring phrase is the question, "Tell me why are we wasting time / On all your wasted crying." This line encapsulates the narrator's frustration and the perceived senselessness of the woman's unhappy situation. Its repetition reinforces the theme of squandered potential for happiness.

A recurring musical motif is the syncopated, slightly muted guitar riff that opens the song. This riff is instantly recognizable and acts as a musical signature for the track, reappearing between sections to tie the song together structurally and maintain its rhythmic identity. The entire song is built around the contrast between this relatively gentle verse motif and the loud, driving rhythm of the chorus, which itself is a recurring structural motif that provides the song's emotional peaks.