What the Hell Are We Dying For? explained

"What the Hell Are We Dying For?" is a song by Canadian singer Shawn Mendes. It was released as a charity single through Island Records on June 9, 2023. The song was produced by Mendes himself and Mike Sabath, and they wrote it alongside Eddie Benjamin and Scott Harris.

Background

When surprise-releasing it on June 9, 2023, Mendes explained its origin on social media: "Started writing this song yesterday morning with my friends in upstate New York & finished it only a few hours ago..felt so important to me to share with you guys in real time."^[1] He also announced a donation to Canadian Red Cross. The song's artwork features a picture of the New York City skyline hardly visible due to a shroud of smoke from the 2023 Canadian wildfires, which drew controversy.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Credits and personnel

• Shawn Mendes – vocals, songwriting, production
• Mike Sabath – songwriting, production, drums
• Eddie Benjamin – songwriting, guitar, bass
• Scott Harris – songwriting, piano
• Andrew Maury – mixing
• John LaPorta – mastering
• Alex Pyle – recording

Charts

Chart (2023)! scope="col"

Peak position
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[5]	28
South Korea BGM (Circle)[6]	66

Release history

Region! scope="col"

Date	Format(s)	Label
Various	June 9, 2023		Island	[7]

Notes and References

1. Kaufman . Gil . Shawn Mendes Wonders 'What the Hell Are We Dying For?' on Surprise Single With Smoke-Shrouded Skyline Cover . . June 9, 2023 . June 9, 2023 .
2. Blistein . Jon . Shawn Mendes Is Heartbroken — and Anxious About Climate Change — on 'What the Hell Are We Dying For?' . . June 9, 2023 . June 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230609144549/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/shawn-mendes-new-song-what-the-hell-are-we-dying-for-1234767640/ . June 9, 2023 . live.
3. Bonner . Mehera . Shawn Mendes Is Getting Twitter Backlash for His New Song 'What The Hell Are We Dying For' . . June 9, 2023 . June 9, 2023 .
4. Web site: Gonzalez . Alex . Shawn Mendes' New Single 'What The Hell Are We Dying For' Feels All Too Timely . . June 9, 2023 . June 9, 2023 .
5. Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart. Recorded Music NZ. June 19, 2023. June 17, 2023.
6. Web site: BGM Chart – Week 23 of 2023. Circle Chart. ko. June 15, 2023.
7. Web site: 'WHAT THE HELL ARE WE DYING FOR ?' - Single by Shawn Mendes . Apple Music (US) . June 9, 2023 .