The Story Behind Shawn Mendes’ First Song: “Life of the Party”

Long before selling out stadiums worldwide and dropping chart-topping anthems like “Stitches” and “Señorita”, Shawn Mendes was just a teenager in Pickering, Canada, strumming his guitar and sharing six-second covers on the social media app Vine.

Everything changed on June 26, 2014, when the then-15-year-old released his official debut single: “Life of the Party”.

1. What Was “Life of the Party”?

“Life of the Party” served as the lead single for The Shawn Mendes EP and was later featured on his full-length debut studio album, Handwritten (2015). Written by songwriters Ido Zmishlany and Scott Harris, the track stood out for its surprisingly vulnerable and bittersweet tone.

Instead of a typical high-energy club track, “Life of the Party” delivered an uplifting message about self-acceptance, mental health, and staying true to oneself during the awkward, confusing years of adolescence.

• Release Date: June 26, 2014
• Label: Island Records
• Key Producers & Songwriters: Ido Zmishlany, Scott Harris

2. A Record-Breaking Debut

When Island Records signed Mendes in May 2014, they took a massive bet on a digital creator who had built a passionate, organic fanbase online. That bet paid off immediately.