Lewis Capaldi may as well be crowned our modern King of Ballads. His breakthrough single, the heart-churning “Someone You Loved,” has amassed an eye-watering 1 billion views over on YouTube, topped by an additional 3.8 billion listens on Spotify. So when the Glasgow star took to BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge to cover the Britney Spears ballad, “Everytime,” the moment was destined to go viral. Yet even 12 million views amassed in a mere two years can’t account for how exceptional Lewis’s cover truly is.
Set against an identical piano backing to Britney’s original, Lewis’ deep and dreamy vocals come feather-soft and evocative before tapping into some truly soul-cleansing tones, rising in time with his string quartet who gloss a soothingly romantic light beneath this cover. The emotion supercharging Lewis’ voice is as haunting as the lyrics he sings, pouring every fragment of emotion into this touching breakup track, balancing desperate sorrow with uplifting flickers of hope and inner strength.
Sensitive yet powerful, bold as the pouring heavens, Lewis’ cover doesn’t just capture the intimate lamentations of Britney’s original, but elevates them to brand new levels of heart-touching sentiment; baring the broken-hearted reality that lies behind the glitz and glam of celebrity. Lyrics like, “Every time I try to fly, I fall / Without my wings, I feel so small / I guess I need you, baby” resonate more profoundly than ever, while Lewis’ vocal runs through the bridge show off the peak of this singer’s talent.
Britney Spears might be put down as one of those stars who hit the limelight singing other songwriters’ hits: an industry-churned voice and face without the true musical expertise to match. But “Everytime” gives fans a glimpse into Britney’s real musical self – the star penning this song from scratch, alone on a piano, following her front-page 2002 breakup with Justin Timberlake.
While Justin capitalized on the romantic disaster in his hit, “Cry Me A River,” Britney got her own back with the ultra-sentimental “Everytime,” featured on her 2003 album, “In The Zone.”
With Britney fans flocking to Lewis Capaldi’s cover in their millions, the Scottish singer certainly hasn’t let them down. As one top commenter on YouTube wrote, “This song is probably Britney’s most heartbreaking one, and I couldn’t even think that someone could make it even more piercing and full of despair,” another confirmed, “These kinds of songs are perfectly made for his voice. The rawness, the pain. It catapults you right into this somber feeling. Drowns you in melancholy. But also cleans you from within. True greatness.”
But for others, Lewis’ cover only highlighted what a legend its original singer is, with one fan writing, “I love seeing Britney being appreciated by other artists. Say what you will about her personality and personal life but she impacted an entire generation of young girls. She is the Queen of Pop!”
Lewis Capaldi’s reinterpretation of Britney Spears’ “Everytime” not only solidifies his status as the King of Ballads but also showcases his unmatched emotional depth and vocal prowess. His ability to elevate the song’s poignant sentiment cements his place among modern music greats. To explore more about Lewis and his mesmerizing works, follow the links below.