When people hear the emotional, raspy, and instantly recognizable voice behind the viral hit “Bruises,” they often ask the same thing: Who sings “Bruises” and why does this song hit so hard? Whether you discovered it while scrolling through playlists, watching edits on TikTok, or revisiting modern pop-rock albums, “Bruises” has a unique sound that sticks.
Below is everything you need to know about the artist, the meaning behind the song, and why this track continues to resonate with listeners everywhere.
🎤 Who Sings “Bruises”?
The artist behind the song “Bruises” is Lewis Capaldi, a Scottish singer-songwriter known for his raw vocals, honest lyrics, and soulful ballads. He first gained major international traction with his chart-topping hit “Someone You Loved,” but “Bruises” is the track that originally put him on the map.
Released in 2017 as part of his debut extended play (EP) “Bloom,” the song quickly spread across streaming platforms and caught the attention of the global audience. In fact, “Bruises” made history by becoming one of the fastest-streaming unsigned artist tracks on Spotify during its early release.
🎶 Why “Bruises” Became One of Lewis Capaldi’s Most Important Songs
Though many listeners today associate Lewis Capaldi with emotional chart-toppers, “Bruises” is often considered the song that set the tone for his career. Here’s why:
1. It showcases his signature vocal style.
Capaldi’s voice—raspy, powerful, and emotionally charged—shines through on every line. “Bruises” captures his vocal identity in a way that many later hits built upon.
2. The song has universal emotional appeal.
Even without knowing the backstory, listeners connect instantly with the themes of heartbreak, vulnerability, and recovery. Its emotional clarity made it especially resonant for U.S. audiences who gravitate toward authentic, storyteller-style songwriting.
3. It gained massive traction through streaming—not radio.
Many modern music fans first discovered “Bruises” through curated playlists such as “Sad Songs,” “Acoustic Pop,” and “Heartbreak Hits,” which helped it reach listeners who would later become lifelong fans.
4. TikTok and short-form edits gave it a second wave of popularity.
Years after its release, the song found new life through social media, especially in dramatic edits and emotional storytelling clips.
📌 Deep Dive: What “Bruises” Is Really About
While Capaldi is known for writing heartbreak songs rooted in real experiences, “Bruises” carries a special emotional weight.
Here’s the deeper meaning behind it:
💔 1. It's about losing someone important.
Capaldi has explained in interviews that the song is based on a breakup—a love that ended but left a strong emotional imprint.
🟦 2. “Bruises” refers to invisible emotional wounds.
Instead of physical marks, the “bruises” symbolize the pain of losing someone who meant a lot. The metaphor captures the lingering ache that doesn’t fade quickly.
🧩 3. It reflects universal heartbreak.
Whether you’ve experienced a breakup, the end of a friendship, or emotional distance from someone, the song speaks to shared human experiences—making it relatable to listeners across age groups and cultures.
📈 How “Bruises” Became a Breakout Hit
The success of “Bruises” didn’t happen overnight. Here’s how it unfolded:
✔ It began with small live sessions.
Capaldi performed the ballad at intimate venues and acoustic sets long before it hit major playlists.
✔ Streaming services amplified the emotional power.
Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube quickly picked up momentum, boosting the track into global recommendation loops.
✔ U.S. audiences helped propel its popularity.
Playlists curated for emotional storytelling, indie-pop lovers, and acoustic favorites helped the song find a wide American audience.
✔ The song shaped his debut album era.
Its success laid the groundwork for Capaldi’s future releases, showing that listeners wanted emotional depth and honesty in songwriting.
🎼 What Genre Is “Bruises”?
“Bruises” falls under:
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Pop
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Indie Pop
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Blue-eyed soul
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Acoustic ballad
Its stripped-down arrangement—primarily piano-driven—helps highlight the raw emotion in Capaldi’s vocals.
🎤 Who Is Lewis Capaldi? (For New Listeners)
If you discovered “Bruises” before any of his other songs, here’s a quick look at the artist:
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Nationality: Scottish
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Career Start: Began uploading music online as a teenager
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Breakout Moment: Viral success of “Bruises”
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Biggest Global Hit: “Someone You Loved”
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Known For: Humor, self-deprecating personality, emotional songwriting
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Vocal Style: Raspy, soulful, expressive
Capaldi has built a reputation for blending heartbreaking music with a warm, comedic public persona—a combination that has endeared him to fans worldwide.
🎧 Other Songs Similar to “Bruises”
If you love the emotional depth of this track, you might enjoy:
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“Before You Go” – Lewis Capaldi
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“Lost Without You” – Freya Ridings
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“All I Want” – Kodaline
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“Let Her Go” – Passenger
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“You Were Good to Me” – Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler
These songs share similar themes of vulnerability, loss, and soft acoustic production.
📌 Why People Still Ask “Who Sings ‘Bruises’?”
Even years after its release, “Bruises” still feels fresh. The emotional weight of the vocals, the universal relatability of the lyrics, and its powerful delivery all contribute to its lasting impact.
So, when listeners pause and ask, “Who sings ‘Bruises’?” the answer reflects not just an artist—but a voice that shaped modern emotional pop.
It’s Lewis Capaldi. And “Bruises” is one of his most defining works.