Lonely

Lonely
Released	October 16, 2020
Album	Justice
Recorded	2020
Genre	Ballad / Sentimental-Ballad
Length	2:29
Label	SB Projects / Schoolboy / Def Jam / RBMG
Written by	Justin Bieber / Benjamin Levin / FINNEAS
Produced by	Benny Blanco / FINNEAS (co-producer)
Singles Chronology
← Previous	“Holy”
Next →	“Mood (Remix)”

“Lonely” is a song by Justin Bieber and benny blanco from Justice album.

Background

Rumors of the title started when Justin Bieber posted a status feeling lonely. Benny Blanco then posted a screenshot of Justin's tweet "One Less _____ Girl" on his Instagram story. Bieber confirmed the title on Instagram TV, posting a video of Hailey hiking dubbed with a song named Lonely, produced by boi1da. The description read "[...] (ps @itsbennyblanco I think there's more to say though regarding lonely what do you think??).

Release

Benny Blanco had long talks with Justin where he questioned whether or not he should even put this song out because it's so personal.

Audio

Lonely-2

Lyrics

[Verse 1: Justin Bieber]
Everybody knows my name now
But something 'bout it still feels strange
Like looking in the mirror
Tryna steady yourself and seeing somebody else
And everything is not the same now
It feels like all our lives have changed
Maybe when I'm older, it'll all calm down
But it's killing me now

[Pre-Chorus: Justin Bieber]
What if you had it all but nobody to call?
Maybe then you'd know me
'Cause I've heard everything
But no one's listening
And that's just fucking lonely

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
I'm so lo-o-o-onely
Lo-o-o-onely

[Verse 2: Justin Bieber]
Everybody knows my past now
Like my house was always made of glass
And maybe that's the price you pay
For the money and fame at an early age
And everybody saw me sick
And it felt like no one gave a shit
They criticized the things I did
As an idiot kid

[Pre-Chorus: Justin Bieber]
What if you had it all but nobody to call?
Maybe then you'd know me
'Cause I've heard everything
But no one's listening
And that's just fucking lonely

[Chorus: Justin Bieber]
I'm so lo-o-o-onely
Lo-o-o-onely
I'm so lo-o-o-onely
Lo-o-o-onely

Music video

Lonely
Length	2:38
Recorded	August 18, 2020
Director	Jake Schreier
Producer	Park Pictures / Cody Ryder / Jackie Kelman Bisbee (executive)

Jacob Tremblay plays the role as young Justin Bieber.

The video shows how depressed Justin was on tour as a kid, showing how different and sad his life was backstage, while he was putting on a show and a smile in front of people.

Young Justin goes on stage in a huge theatre, with all seats empty except one, in which older Justin sits and watches his younger self.

Justin Bieber & benny blanco - Lonely (Behind The Scenes)

Justin Bieber, benny blanco - Lonely (The Making of 'Lonely'-Vevo Footnotes)

Performances

• Saturday Night Live _{(October 17, 2020)}
• 2020 E! People Choice Awards _{(November 15, 2020)}
• 2020 American Music Awards _{(November 22, 2020)}
• T-Mobile NYE Live _{(December 31, 2020)}
• Spotify: Stream On _{(February 22, 2021)}
• Los Angeles County's California State Prison _{(March 23, 2021)}
• Vevo’s Official Live Performance _{(pre-recorded performance) (March 30, 2021)}
• Special Performance at Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas _{(July 9, 2021)}
• Made In America (September 5, 2021)
• Met Gala party (September 13, 2021)
• Private event in Provo, Utah (November 6, 2021)
• Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Gran Prix Concert (December 5, 2021)
• Jingle Bell Ball (December 11, 2021)
• Justice World Tour (2022)

Awards and nominations

YEAR	AWARD	NOMINATION	RESULT
2020	JOOX Top Music Year-End Awards Malaysia	Top 5 International Hits	Won
2021	Kids' Choice Awards	Favorite Music Collaboration	Nominated
	Vevo Certified Awards	100 Millions Views	Won
2022	Grammy Awards	Best Pop Duo/Group Performance	Nominated

Accolades

Publication	List	Rank
Los Angeles Time	The 50 Best Songs of 2020	Placed

Chart and commercial performance

Billboard

Lonely debuted #14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, #8 (peak position) in the Billboard Global 200 Excl. U.S. chart, and #5 (peak position) in the Billboard Gobal 200 chart. Months later, the song got more radio spins, itunes sales and was for several days the most "shazamed" song of U.S. Thanks to that, Lonely reached his peak position on the Billboard Hot 100; #12.

Rolling Stones

The song debuted and peaked #5 in the Rolling Stone chart.

UK Chart

Lonely peaked 17 in the UK Official Chart. And charted 13 weeks.

US Radios

Lonely officially reached #1 at US Pop Radio on Febraury 7, 2021, 114 days after his release.

Certifications

Country	Certification	Units
Australia (ARIA)	Platinum	70,000**
Canada (Music Canada)	2x Platinum	160,000**
Norway (IFPI Norway)	Gold	30,000**
Italy (FIMI)	Gold	35,000**
Portugal (AFP)	Gold	5,000**
Spain (PROMUSICAE)	Gold	20,000**
United Kingdom (BPI)	United Kingdom	200,000**
United States (RIAA)	Platinum	1,000,000**
** Sales + streams certifications alone

References

Booklet · Justice World Tour
“2 Much” “Deserve You” “As I Am” (featuring Khalid) “Off My Face” “Holy” (featuring Chance the Rapper) “Unstable” (featuring The Kid LAROI) “MLK Interlude” “Die For You” (with Dominic Fike) "Hold On” “Somebody” “Ghost” “Peaches” (featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon) “Love You Different" (featuring BEAM) “Loved By You” (featuring Burna Boy) “Anyone” “Lonely” (with Benny Blanco) Deluxe tracks “There She Go” (featuring Lil Uzi Vert) “I Can't Be Myself” (featuring Jaden) “Lifetime” “Wish You Would” (featuring Quavo) “Know No Better” (featuring DaBaby) “Name” (featuring Tori Kelly) Bonus tracks “Red Eye” (featuring TroyBoi) “Angels Speak” (featuring Poo Bear) “Hailey”
Unreleased songs
“Along The Way” “Holy Water” “She” “Take Advantage” “Wake Up Alone”