Lewis Capaldi Thinks Record Labels 'Know Nothing' About Hit Singles

Scottish singer and jokester Lewis Capaldi has called out record labels, claiming that when it comes to putting out hits, they “know nothing”.

Recently appearing on the Hot Ones YouTube series with host Sean Evans, the Wish You The Best singer had to answer questions about music, TikTok, Ed Sheeran and more while eating progressively spicier chicken wings.

If you’ve seen Capaldi as an interviewee on The Graham Norton Show before, you know how funny he is, so to give him hot wings and have a conversation is a recipe for something brilliant.

During the interview, Evans inquired about what it’s like to experience having a hit single go beyond your expectations, referencing Capaldi’s 2019 track, Bruises, which made him the fastest unsigned artist to hit the milestone of 25 million plays on Spotify.

Capaldi answered, “You just learn that you don't know anything. You learn you don't know anything, and nobody has the answer. You don't know what a hit is – every time I think a song is a smash hit, it's been a complete abject fucking failure.”

Proving that he could be a comedian as well as a hit-making singer, Capaldi dryly added, “Labels know nothing, you know nothing. Nobody knows anything. No offence,” he said, waving to Evans’ producers and maybe even his own management off-camera.

Also in the episode, Capaldi proved that he was a fan of the Hot Ones show, telling DJ Khaled to “eat my shit” for failing to eat all the wings on his episode and praising Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega for her supreme efforts that involved not even breaking a sweat. Capaldi ate all the wings, but it was a struggle. You can watch the hilarious interview below.

Last week, Capaldi withdrew from his Splendour In The Grass and Australian tour commitments, needing “much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.”

Splendour in the Grass and Secret Sounds Co-CEO Paul Piticco said, “We know that many of you will be disappointed but, we’re sure Lewis’ fans will agree, all that really matters is that he takes the time he needs to feel better. Lewis, we’ll all be here waiting when you’re ready!"

Lewis Capaldi’s road to fame hasn’t been easy, with a recent Tourette’s Syndrome diagnosis making his life harder. Before cancelling his Australian dates, he took time off to prioritise his health and spend some time as “Lewis from Glasgow for a bit.”