Meaning of “Bruises” by Lewis Capaldi

“Bruises” is based on a breakup between Lewis Capaldi and his real-life girlfriend, though it is not sung from the perspective of heartbreak or regret. Rather the titular “bruises” symbolizes, in Capaldi’s own words, “memories and emotional baggage”. Thus in the track, when he says he ‘hopes to never lose the bruises she left behind’, that is his way of saying that he hopes to never forget her. 

Even though Lewis asserts that he did not write this song from a disposition of mourning, it is beyond clear that he really misses his ex. And why? In the song, he states outright that he ‘needs her by his side’. So even though he has been advised by close ones to stop thinking about her, that is not Capaldi’s desire. Indeed internally “everyday (is) getting colder”, and he longs to once again hold his boo. In other words, he is ‘lost in her love’. However, perhaps in acknowledgement that they will never actually get together again, he wants to at least hold on to every single bruise she left behind.

However, as alluded to earlier, it should be stated that whereas he definitely misses his ex, this does not necessarily translate into a genuine desire to get back with her.  Rather it is based on the premise of Capaldi reminiscing on the pleasant parts of their relationship while neglecting what actually drove them apart.

Facts about “Bruises”

• Lewis Capaldi wrote this track on his 20^th birthday, which would have been 7 October 2016.
• He wrote “Bruises” along with James Earp, who he had never met prior to the day of writing the song.
• Capaldi wrote and recorded the demo of “Bruises” in a matter of four hours since he was on a very-tight flight schedule.
• Co-writer James Earp also produced the track.
• Lewis penned the song freshly after breaking up with his girlfriend of one and-a-half years.
• On 16 May 2017, “Bruises” was the first track released from Lewis Capaldi’s debut EP Bloom. It was re-released in 2019 as part of his inaugural album, Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent.
• This track was featured on the eighth episode of the second season of the popular television drama Riverdale, which Lewis Capaldi got really excited about.