In a moment that blended heartbreak, power, and raw emotional depth, Lewis Capaldi took on one of the most iconic ballads of the last decade—Shallow, originally performed by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born. But this wasn’t just another cover. This was Capaldi—stripped down, vulnerable, and absolutely magnetic—in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.
Armed with only a piano, a hauntingly sparse arrangement, and that unmistakable voice, Capaldi transformed the Oscar-winning duet into something deeply personal. From the very first note, it was clear: he wasn’t just singing a song. He was living in it.
The usual back-and-forth of Shallow—that tender call and explosive response between Gaga and Cooper—was reshaped entirely in Capaldi’s hands. Singing both parts, he navigated the emotional highs and lows with such aching sincerity that the lyrics took on new weight. When he reached the line “I’m off the deep end, watch as I dive in,” it didn’t sound like a cinematic moment—it sounded like a man on the edge, singing straight from his soul.
The Live Lounge fell silent.
No audience chatter. No background noise.
Just Capaldi’s voice, trembling with restraint one moment and soaring the next. His signature grit gave the track a new texture—less polished, more real. Less Hollywood, more heartbreak.
Listeners around the world were quick to react. Social media lit up with comments calling the performance “goosebump-inducing,” “emotionally devastating,” and “the best version since Gaga herself.” Even fans of the original admitted that Capaldi’s take gave them chills they didn’t expect.
BBC Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo summed it up best as the final notes faded away: “Only Lewis Capaldi could turn one of the most powerful duets in film history into a solo performance that hits just as hard—if not harder.”
With this cover, Lewis Capaldi reminded us why he’s become one of the most beloved voices in modern music: not just because of his vocal power, but because of his honesty. He doesn’t just cover a song—he connects with it. And in doing so, he connects with all of us.
This version of Shallow doesn’t just deserve to be heard. It deserves to be felt.
