Stitches

Song Meaning of Stitches by Shawn Mendes

The lyrics of "Stitches" convey the feelings of betrayal and heartache experienced after the end of a romantic relationship. The protagonist feels as though they have been emotionally wounded, comparing the pain to being stitched up. The metaphor of stitches suggests the attempt to heal, but also implies the lasting scars left behind by the breakup.

The chorus, with lines like "You watch me bleed until I can't breathe / I'm shaking, falling onto my knees," vividly captures the physical and emotional toll of heartbreak. The repetition of the word "stitches" emphasizes the lingering pain and the struggle to move on from the hurtful experience.

It peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming his first top 10 single. Additionally, "Stitches" peaked at number 10 on the Canadian Hot 100 and made it to the top 10. It also peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart and made it to the top five in New Zealand, Germany, Ireland, and Australia.

Stitches lyrics by Shawn Mendes

I thought that I'd been hurt before

But no one's ever left me quite this sore

Your words cut deeper than a knife

Now I need someone to breathe me back to life

Got a feeling that I'm going under

But I know that I'll make it out alive

If I quit calling you my lover

Move on

You watch me bleed until I can't breathe

Shaking, falling onto my knees

And now that I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches

Tripping over myself

Aching, begging you to come help

And now that I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches

Just like a moth drawn to a flame

Oh, you lured me in, I couldn't sense the pain

Your bitter heart cold to the touch

Now I'm gonna reap what I sow

I'm left seeing red on my own

Got a feeling that I'm going under

But I know that I'll make it out alive

If I quit calling you my lover

Move on

You watch me bleed until I can't breathe

Shaking, falling onto my knees

And now that I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches

Tripping over myself

Aching, begging you to come help

And now that I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches

Needle and the thread

Gotta get you out of my head

Needle and the thread

Gonna wind up dead

Needle and the thread

Gotta get you out of my head

Needle and the thread

Gonna wind up dead

Needle and the thread

Gotta get you out of my head

Needle and the thread

Gonna wind up dead

Needle and the thread

Gotta get you out of my head, get you out of my head

You watch me bleed until I can't breathe

Shaking, falling onto my knees (falling on my knees)

And now that I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches (and I'll be needing stitches)

Tripping over myself

Aching, begging you to come help (begging, "Baby, please.")

And now that I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches

(And now that)

I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches

(And now that)

I'm without your kisses

I'll be needing stitches