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"Treat You Better" is a song recorded by Shawn Mendes. It was co-written by Mendes with Teddy Geiger and Scott Harris. It was released on June 3, 2016, through Island Records as the lead single from his second studio album, Illuminate (2016).[1][2] The music video was released on July 12, 2016, and features a storyline about an abusive relationship.[3]

The song peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Mendes' second top 10 single. In Canada, the song has peaked at number seven on the Canadian Hot 100, passing "Life of the Party" as his highest-peaking single in his home country.

Lyrically, Mendes sings to his romantic interest, promising to be a better boyfriend than the one she currently has.

The song has been confirmed by Mendes himself to be written about Camila Cabello.

Treat You Better is played by the guitar.

Composition[]

The song is written in the key of D-flat minor.[4] and has a tempo of 83 beats per minute.

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
I won't lie to you
I know he's just not right for you
And you can tell me if I'm off
But I see it on your face
When you say that he's the one that you want
And you're spending all your time
In this wrong situation
And anytime you want it to stop

[Chorus]
I know I can treat you better than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted crying
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can

[Verse 2]
I'll stop time for you
The second you say you'd like me to
I just wanna give you the loving that you're missing
Baby, just to wake up with you
Would be everything I need and this could be so different
Tell me what you want to do

[Chorus]
'Cause I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted crying
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can
Better than he can

[Bridge]
Give me a sign
Take my hand, we'll be fine
Promise I won't let you down
Just know that you don't
Have to do this alone
Promise I'll never let you down

[Chorus]
'Cause I know I can treat you better
Than he can
And any girl like you deserves a gentleman
Tell me why are we wasting time
On all your wasted crime
When you should be with me instead
I know I can treat you better
Better than he can
Better than he can
Better than he can

Music video[]

The music video was released on July 12, 2016.[5] It features a plot revolving around a situation of violence between couples. The video shows a girl being abused by her boyfriend in various situations, while Mendes hopes to be with her and struggles to understand why she prefers to be in that relationship. The video ends by displaying the number for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.[6] The music video also stars Devon Aoki's half-sister Ellie Stuart Hunter [7] played with a guitar, drums, and tambourines.

The video has received over 1.9 billion YouTube views as of April 2020,[8] , and is one of the site's 60 most-watched videos.[9]

Chart performance[]

The song debuted at number thirty-four on the US Billboard Hot 100[10] and later peaked at number six, making it Mendes' second top 10 single. It also reached the top 10 on the Mainstream Top 40 and Adult Top 40 national airplay charts. In Canada, the song has peaked at number seven on the Canadian Hot 100, passing "Life of the Party" as his highest-peaking single in his home country. The song has additionally achieved a top 5 position on the national CHR and Hot AC airplay charts and has been certified gold by Music Canada. "Treat You Better" has also reached the top 10 in multiple markets including Australia, Germany, and Sweden.

Critical reception[]

Billboard ranked "Treat You Better" at number 42 on their "100 Best Pop Songs of 2016" list.[11] The New York Times's Jon Caramanica named it the eighth-best song of the year. [12]

Accolades[]

Awards and nominations[]

Year Award Category Result
2017 BMI Awards Award-Winning Songs Won
Canadian Radio Music Awards SOCAN Song Of The Year Nominated
Juno Awards Single Of The Year Nominated
MTV Video Music Awards Best Pop Video Nominated
Radio Disney Music Awards Song Of The Year Won

Videos[]

Live Performances[]


References[]

Navigation[]

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