Singer-songwriters that take a raw, acoustic approach are currently populating the music scene, and for good reason. The unfiltered storytelling of such artists stands out, allowing the release of their emotions to resonate with audiences. Their genuine work is cathartic and comforting to fans, reminding those who need to hear it that they're not alone.
Such is the case with Australian singer-songwriter Dean Lewis, whose career is rising to new heights with his sentimental single "How Do I Say Goodbye" and sophomore album The Hardest Love. These projects, sometimes sweet and sometimes painfully haunting, allow Dean to wear his heart on his sleeve. At some parts, one can clearly hear the shaking in Dean's voice. "How Do I Say Goodbye" has achieved viral success on TikTok, where numerous users immediately connected to the lyrics.
Image courtesy of Getty Images, graphic created by Karly Ramnani
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Since working on his debut album, A Place We Knew - which also contains songs you might recognize, like "Be Alright" and "Waves" - Dean's attitude towards deeply personal, heart-wrenching material has evolved. We recently had the privilege to chat with Dean, and he revealed some secrets behind the vulnerability of two standout tracks.
"How Do I Say Goodbye" - Lead single of The Hardest Love
It was easy to release "How Do I Say Goodbye," and it’s been really easy to talk about it, because my dad was in remission. I wrote the song about my dad being sick, and I didn’t know at that time if he was going to be okay. If the worst happened, which the doctors predicted, it would have been very different - I would’ve put it out, but I would not be pushing it as hard. Because how do you talk about something so personal in a way where you’re sort of trying to be like "Hey, I wrote this in my song." So that made it easier. Dean Lewis
"Half A Man" - B-side of A Place We Knew
I didn’t grow up in a world where I would talk about my emotions a lot or anything. And I still don’t really talk to my friends that much about it. I can express it through music, but I remember when I wrote the lyrics, ‘But how am I supposed to love you when I don't love who I am? / And how could I give you all of me when I'm only half a man?’ I was like, ‘Can I say that?’ And I was really worried about it. Then I played it at a showcase, and people came up after who were like, ‘Oh my god, I’m crying. Could you send me that song?’ And I’m like ‘Oh wow!’ Dean Lewis
"I learned that the more vulnerable you are with songs, the more it connects. I did have that fear at the start, but I’ve always just bitten the bullet and put it out," Dean reflected of his overall creative process.
We loved to hear Dean's insight on why authenticity matters, and we cannot thank him enough for pouring his heart and soul into his music. The breathtaking way that he captures his feelings shapes his genre and beyond. In an industry where people can often lose their true selves by following trends, Dean is a breath of fresh air. If you're trying to dive deeper into his catalogue, we've curated a playlist to help you get started!
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