Before You Go (Lewis Capaldi song)

"Before You Go" is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi, released as a single from the extended edition of his debut studio album "Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent" on 19 November 2019. The song was made available upon pre-order of the extended edition. The song was sent to US radio stations on 6 January 2020 as his second US single. It reached number one on the Irish Singles Chart in November 2019 and on the UK Singles Chart in January 2020, becoming Capaldi's second chart-topper in the UK and third in Ireland.
Background and composition.
Capaldi revealed in a social media post that the song was "by far the most personal tune" he had ever written. According to "Idolator", the song "deals with the emotional aftermath of suicide", and was inspired by the suicide of Capaldi's aunt while Capaldi was a child.
Critical reception.
Gary James of "Entertainment Focus" described the song as an "emotional track". Maxamillion Polo of "Ones to Watch" thought that the song "is a tried-and-true song of heartbreak, one that is not looking to place blame but solve those questions lacking answers" and questioned if Capaldi's emotional tone was "the result of a greater sense of loss". "Clash Music"'s Robin Murray called the track "trademark Capaldi", further describing it as "a rousing piece of acoustic songwriting with a driving vocal".
Music video.
Released on 24 January 2020 and directed by Kyle Thrash, the video is of happy moments recalled by a group of friends as they pay tribute to a young woman (Sasha Lane), whose suicide has shocked them.
Personnel.
Credits adapted from Tidal.