When Lewis Capaldi steps into the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge, you know you’re in for something special. But his acoustic rendition of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Oscar-winning “Shallow” (from A Star Is Born) took the session to a whole new level.
Capaldi—already beloved for hits like “Someone You Loved”—brought his trademark rasp and raw emotion to this modern classic. With nothing but a stripped-back band behind him (piano, subtle percussion, and atmospheric strings), he turned “Shallow” into a gut-punch ballad. Each lyric felt personal, every high note earned, and when he reached the soaring chorus, the Live Lounge seemed to hold its breath.
The original thrives on cinematic drama—piano swells, orchestral flourishes, and Gaga’s powerhouse vocals. Capaldi’s version traded polish for honesty. He slowed the tempo slightly, letting the melody unfurl like a confession. His vulnerability reshaped the song: it became less about two characters in a film and more about anyone standing on the edge, searching for real connection.
Of course, the Live Lounge isn’t just about performance—it’s about transformation. Capaldi’s take honored the source material while making it unmistakably his own. The usually rowdy studio audience listened in reverent silence, hanging on to every trembling note. When the final chord faded, the applause wasn’t polite—it was profound.
Within hours, clips flooded social media:
“Lewis Capaldi just gave us the most heartbreaking version of ‘Shallow.’”
“That was less cover, more revelation.”
“I didn’t think ‘Shallow’ could get any better. I was wrong.”
This cover isn’t just a viral moment—it’s a showcase of Capaldi’s artistry. His ability to take a mega-hit and distill it down to its emotional core proves why he’s one of the most compelling voices of his generation.
Lewis Capaldi’s “Shallow” in the Live Lounge confirms it: when he sings, he doesn’t just perform—he connects. And if this is a glimpse of what he can do in a session room with a single mic, one can only imagine where his voice will take him next.
