Lonely

"Lonely" is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber and American record producer Benny Blanco. It was released through Def Jam Recordings, Interscope Records, and Friends Keep Secrets on October 15, 2020, as the second single (and final track) from Bieber's sixth studio album, Justice (2021). It was later included on the 2021 reissue of Blanco's debut studio album, Friends Keep Secrets (2018). The song was written by Bieber, Blanco, and Finneas, with production handled by the latter two. At the 64th Annual Grammy Awards, "Lonely" received a nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Background "Lonely" marks the fifth collaboration between Bieber and Blanco, but it is the first where Blanco is credited as an artist. Past Bieber songs where Blanco is credited as a producer and songwriter include "Eenie Meenie" and "Somebody to Love" in 2010, "Love Yourself" in 2015, and "Cold Water" in 2016. "When [Blanco] and [Finneas] showed me this song to be honest it was hard to listen to considering how tough it was to get through some of these chapters," Bieber wrote of the song. At one point, Bieber broke down and cried in the studio. "I went into the studio and sang through it which wasn't easy but started to really see the importance of telling this story! It made me realise we all feel lonely at times! Being someone in my position I believe it is powerful to express vulnerability and that's why I believe this song is so powerful!" Speaking of the song, Blanco revealed that Bieber was "real nervous", and contemplated on whether to release the song. "Because he's like, 'People know me for this thing and it's like I've never been this raw.' He's raw on this song. This song brought us so much closer together. And it was just he's really opening up on this and he's super vulnerable." Composition and lyrics "Lonely" is a pop ballad that is set in the key of B minor with a tempo of 80 beats per minute. It contains a minimalist arrangement and a somber electric piano accompaniment. It has a length of two minutes and twenty-nine seconds. Lyrically, Bieber reflects on the effects of money and fame, as well as the obstacles he faced during his early career, including some perceptions and criticisms he had to deal with as he was gaining fame in his teenage years, and the feelings of isolation and loneliness he experienced as he failed to find anyone who could relate to his situation and provide him with emotional support.