The star won Song of the Year for his piano ballad – and explained it’s actually about his grandmother, not the Love Islander
At last night’s Brit Awards, Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi won Song of the Year for his hit Someone You Loved – and finally revealed the inspiration behind the tune.
The piano ballad features on his double platinum-selling debut album, Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent, as well as Capaldi’s Breach EP in 2018. It became a UK number one in March last year, staying in the top spot for seven weeks before topping the US Hot 100 in October. It recently returned to the UK Top 10 and was number seven in last week’s chart, and has enjoyed a billion streams on Spotify worldwide.
And for all this time, most have assumed the hit was written about his ex-girlfriend and Love Islander Paige Turley, who Capaldi dated for about a year when he was 18, after the pair went to school together. But last night fans discovered the real inspiration behind the song.
What is the song really about?
Speaking at London’s O2 Arena when he picked up his award, the 23-year-old singer said: “My name is Lewis. Thanks very much for this,” while holding up his gong.
“Contrary to popular belief, a lot of people think this song is about my ex-girlfriend who you can now see every night on Love Island.
“But it’s actually about my grandmother, who has sadly passed away a few years ago and I hope to god that ITV don’t contact her to be on a reality dating show,” he joked.
“But thank you so much, this has been the best year of my life.”
‘Not bitter’
The confusion surrounding the tune’s muse was started by friends, who claimed Capaldi wrote Someone You Love about Turley.
However speaking on an Australian radio station last week, Capaldi said: “It’s about my grandmother, who’s dead, f***.
“She died a few years ago. Your classic death, not coming back that sort of thing.”
Fans took to social media following Capaldi’s Brits speech and praised the star for supporting his ex.
Another added: “Lewis Capaldi is an absolute legend. He just shouted out Paige and asked us to see Love Island.”
Capaldi says he’s rooting for his Turley on the dating show. While performing a 30-minute greatest hits set at Seven Dials Market in the West End on Saturday, the Scottish musician said: “For the record, I hope my ex-girlfriend wins Love Island. Not bitter.”
