What Was Shawn Mendes’s First Song?

The Spark That Started It All: The Story of Shawn Mendes’ First Song, “Life of the Party”

Long before he was selling out massive stadiums, headlining world tours, and dropping global chart-toppers, Shawn Mendes was just a teenager in Pickering, Ontario, uploading six-second covers to the-defunct social media app Vine.

Everything changed in June 2014 when the then-15-year-old singer-songwriter released his very first official single: “Life of the Party.”

From Viral Loops to a Record Deal

In the early 2010s, Vine was a breeding ground for viral talent, and Shawn quickly built a massive following by showcasing his smooth acoustic guitar skills and soulful voice. His online presence caught the eye of artist manager Andrew Gertler, who brought him to Island Records.