Lewis Capaldi is opening up about his deep-seated desire to go viral on TikTok and how overwhelmed with joy he became when he found out the moment had finally happened. Following his music video debut for the emotionally charged single “Wish You the Best,” fans everywhere shared videos of themselves crying on social media, and he reveled in it.
When you seek Capaldi out for your playlist or a total binge session of his best tunes, it’s easy to assume that you’re feeling all the feelings. He’s our favorite sad boy, the guy who writes and performs songs for the heartbroken, those of us who have felt pain so immensely we thought we might break because of it — he gives audiences everywhere a place to let that grief have its moment.
Capaldi feels a twisted pleasure at seeing his fans break down in tears, and as he rose to quick infamy on TikTok because of the pain he caused us all, he couldn’t have felt more joy, and he explains that very feeling on Hot Ones:
“I enjoy it; I think…what’s nice is I’ve always wanted to be viral on TikTok. I’ve always wanted to be viral on TikTok. I never thought I would get there by traumatizing children. If that’s paying the bills then — so be it, but yeah it’s good man — it’s just like, I like to see people suffering, that’s what I’m trying to say.”
When you hear the lyrics to “Wish You the Best,” most relate it to heartbreak and a devastating loss, and while the video highlights that, it does so in a way we weren’t expecting. To be honest, we cried so hard the first (and only time) we watched it that we canceled our plans that afternoon to cuddle and play with our dog.
Yep, Capaldi goes there. The music video tells the heartwarming story of love between an older man named John and his sweet dog Willow and the painful but beautiful way they’re reunited in the end. So, of course, everyone who sets their eyes on the video cries. In fact, if you didn’t — we might just question the humanity left in your cold heart.
Please don’t say we didn’t warn you.
We’ll give you a moment to compose yourselves; we needed several.
Capaldi’s moment on TikTok has become viral for many reasons, and all of them revolve around the overflowing tears that come along with watching it. From parents breaking the hearts of their kids to young adults not quite sure why some people’s reactions are so strong until they experience it — here are some of the best.
The video starts off so sweet and hopeful, but that doesn’t last long.
Capaldi didn’t just talk about making his fans cry on Hot Ones; he even tournaments them at his shows as clips of it play alongside his singing it, so not only are they watching it again, they’re doing so on a jumbotron. We imagine it’s a lot more heartwrenching that way.
As we said above, if you feel like canceling the rest of your day now, no one understands it better than we do. Just writing about the video brought tears back to our eyes, and having lost a pet before, it really hit home.
At least someone is getting some enjoyment out of our heartache, and the only thing better than a Capaldi writing heartbreaking songs is one that smiles at our pain, so I guess we’ll allow it. Here’s to the guy responsible for our favorite songs and the tears they bring forward!