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The Loneliest
The Loneliest
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"The Loneliest"
The official cover art for "The Loneliest". The cover features the band's four members in a grassy area underneath stormy weather
Single by Måneskin
from the album Rush!
Released7 October 2022 (2022-10-07)
Genre
Length4:07
LabelEpic
Songwriters
Producers
Måneskin singles chronology
"If I Can Dream"
(2022)
"The Loneliest"
(2022)
"Gossip"
(2023)
Music video
"The Loneliest" on YouTube

"The Loneliest" is a song by Italian rock band Måneskin, released on 7 October 2022 as the third single from their third studio album Rush! (2023).[3] It debuted at number one in Italy. The song won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Rock Video at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

Description

[edit]

The song was written by the band members with James Abrahart, Jason Evigan, Rami Yacoub and Sarah Hudson, with production by Fabrizio Ferraguzzo, during a recording session in Los Angeles, California.[4] The frontman Damiano David talked about the meaning of the song:[5]

"The song is somewhere between a love letter and a will. I wrote it at a very difficult time in my life, when I was away from home and the people I love. The idea is: what would I want to say to these people if I were to die? It talks about feelings that everyone can relate to, and we would love to understand how different people understand the lyrics. We are happy that we were able to take some time to write a lot of new music. We chose to come out with this single because it shows a side of us that people haven't seen yet and we wanted to start our new journey from here."

Guitarist Thomas Raggi defined the process of writing the music, saying that he "experimented a lot with the guitar and pedals and I used Igmo, which allowed me to write creatively and give it color," while drummer Ethan Torchio called the production process of "The Loneliest" restorative for the band.[5]

Promotion

[edit]

On 21 September 2022, Måneskin posted on their social media accounts a video featuring a letter with cursive writing, with the focus on two words: "The Loneliest". Along with the video, the band had announced that a new single from the band was set to be released in October.[6] Two days later, the band officially announced the title of the song.[3]

Critical reception

[edit]

Italian critic Mattia Marzi of Rockol wrote that "The Loneliest" sounds "hyperclassical" like a "ballad from another time" in terms of sound and narrative structure, finding the lyrics of a "disarming simplicity"; Marzi ended the review by comparing the song with the single "Supermodel", stating that "compared to the California sound and modern rock groove of 'Supermodel', here Maneskin dredges up the airy, orchestral atmospheres of ballads like 'Torna a casa'; [. ...] major pieces of their Italian journey."[7]

Gianni Poglio of Panorama described the song's strengths, finding them in the singer's "focused and effective" performance, production and musicianship, and the guitar solo, defined as "original and melodically flawless."[8] Gabriele Scorsonelli of Il Fatto Quotidiano associated the song with Guns N' Roses' "November Rain", although he noted that "Thomas's guitar solo evokes, in a reference that definitely does not pretend to become a comparison" with the U.S. group, finding it a gesture of "admiration for the historic group."[9]

Music video

[edit]

The music video for the song, filmed in the Villa Tittoni Traversi in Desio and directed by Tommaso Ottomano, was released on 13 October 2022.[10][11]

Vogue Italia's Giacomo Aricò wrote that the video has "a strong dark component from the cinematic references typical of the Gothic style," dwelling on the sequence defined as "symbolic" where "the frontman experiences a splitting between his subconscious (where we see him drowning) and reality (where he vomits water at the funeral)."[5] Alessandra De Tommasi for Vanity Fair Italia found that "this almost Burtonian dark-tinged narrative amplifies the power of the song itself" finding the direction "splendid."[12]

Commercial success

[edit]

"The Loneliest" debuted at the top of Spotify's global weekend chart after totaling more than 4 million plays.[13] After one week, the song debuted at number 53 on the same platform's weekly global chart, marking the highest new entry with 9.5 million streams.[14]

In Italy, the song debuted at number one on the FIMI Top Singles Chart, becoming the band's second single to achieve the feat.[15]

[edit]

In September 2023, the song was used in the trailer and is the theme song for the anime Onimusha.[16][17]

Charts

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Weekly chart performance for "The Loneliest"
Chart (2022–2023) Peak
position
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[18] 24
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[19] 12
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[20] 1
Canada Rock (Billboard)[21] 43
Croatia (HRT)[22] 7
Czech Republic Airplay (ČNS IFPI)[23] 8
Czech Republic Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[24] 22
Finland Airplay (Radiosoittolista)[25] 40
France (SNEP)[26] 11
Germany (GfK)[27] 82
Global 200 (Billboard)[28] 75
Greece International (IFPI)[29] 7
Hungary (Rádiós Top 40)[30] 40
Hungary (Single Top 40)[31] 28
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[32] 34
Ireland (IRMA)[33] 88
Israel (Media Forest)[34] 8
Italy (FIMI)[35] 1
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[36] 4
Latvia (EHR)[37] 16
Latvia (LAIPA)[38] 7
Lithuania (AGATA)[39] 2
Luxembourg (Billboard)[40] 16
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[41] 6
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[42] 30
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[43] 38
Norway (VG-lista)[44] 37
Poland (Polish Airplay Top 100)[45] 7
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100)[46] 81
Portugal (AFP)[47] 44
San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50)[48] 5
Slovakia Airplay (ČNS IFPI)[49] 29
Slovakia Singles Digital (ČNS IFPI)[50] 22
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[51] 48
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[52] 13
Turkey (Radiomonitor Türkiye)[53] 9
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[54] 40
UK Singles Sales (OCC)[55] 41
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[56] 33
US Rock & Alternative Airplay (Billboard)[57] 8

Year-end charts

[edit]
2022 year-end chart performance for "The Loneliest"
Chart (2022) Position
Belgium (Ultratop Flanders)[58] 137
Belgium (Ultratop Wallonia)[59] 145
Italy (FIMI)[60] 76
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[61] 63
2023 year-end chart performance for "The Loneliest"
Chart (2023) Position
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[62] 53
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[63] 6
France (SNEP)[64] 33
Italy (FIMI)[65] 89
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[66] 49
US Hot Rock & Alternative Songs (Billboard)[67] 100
US Rock Airplay (Billboard)[68] 35

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "The Loneliest"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Austria (IFPI Austria)[69] Gold 15,000
Belgium (BRMA)[70] Platinum 40,000
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[71] 2× Platinum 80,000
France (SNEP)[72] Diamond 333,333
Hungary (MAHASZ)[73] 2× Platinum 8,000
Italy (FIMI)[74] 3× Platinum 300,000
Poland (ZPAV)[75] Platinum 50,000
Spain (Promusicae)[76] Gold 30,000
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[77] Gold 10,000

Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
"The Loneliest" is a song by the Italian rock band , released on 7 2022 as the third single from their third studio Rush! (2023). The track marks a departure from the band's typical high-energy rock sound, presenting instead as a sumptuous rock power that delves into themes of profound , heartbreak, and emotional isolation following a . , consisting of vocalist , bassist , guitarist Thomas Raggi, and drummer Ethan Torchio, first teased the song on before debuting it live at a surprise sold-out show at London's venue on 6 2022. The official music video, directed by Tommaso Ottomano and released on 12 October 2022, features dark and dramatic visuals that unfold like a , with the band members portraying isolated figures in a narrative of emotional turmoil. Commercially, "The Loneliest" achieved significant success shortly after release, becoming the most-played brand-new song globally within a day and entering charts in 28 countries, including a peak position of number 6 on the Dutch Top 40. The single's strong streaming performance contributed to Rush!'s overall chart dominance upon its 20 January 2023 release, underscoring Måneskin's continued international appeal following their Eurovision victory in 2021.

Background and release

Conception and writing

"The Loneliest" was conceived during Måneskin's songwriting sessions in in 2022, as part of the preparations for their third studio album, Rush!. The band spent time there collaborating on material for the project, marking a period of creative exploration following their global breakthrough. The song was written collaboratively by the four band members—Damiano David, Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi, and Ethan Torchio—along with co-writers (), , , Sarah Hudson, and . Inspired by personal experiences of heartbreak and isolation, the song represents a shift toward more introspective, ballad-style songwriting for the band, contrasting their earlier high-energy . Frontman described it as a deeply personal piece about a final night with a lover, framed as a , confession, and farewell, drawing partial influence from a dramatic episode in the TV series . This vulnerability captures themes of loss and emotional desolation, allowing listeners to relate through their own experiences. As the third single from Rush!, released on January 20, 2023, "The Loneliest" emerged from these sessions as a standout, brooding power ballad.

Recording and production

"The Loneliest" was recorded in 2022, with sessions taking place at Perfect Sound Studios in Los Angeles, California, and RCA Recording Studios in Milan, Italy. The track originated from initial creative sessions in Los Angeles, where the band developed its core elements before expanding the production across locations. Primary production duties were led by Fabrizio Ferraguzzo, a longtime collaborator with Måneskin since their 2018 album Il ballo delle ingrate, alongside the band members themselves as producers, co-producer Enrico Brun, and recording engineer Luca Pellegrini. The production highlights prominent and strings that underpin the song's emotional core, allowing Damiano David's emotive vocals to take center stage with raw vulnerability and . Layered was incorporated during the mixing phase to amplify the 's dramatic build-up, creating a sense of escalating tension that culminates in a powerful climax. This approach emphasizes the track's power structure, blending intimate beginnings with expansive, orchestral-like swells. Ethan Torchio's drumming contributes subtle percussion throughout, providing rhythmic support that bolsters the emotional intensity while ensuring it does not overshadow the arrangement's delicate balance. The final production polish imparts a cinematic quality to the song, evoking the epic scope of ballads such as ' "" through its sweeping dynamics and theatrical flair.

Composition and lyrics

Musical composition

"The Loneliest" is structured as a power ballad in the key of , running for a duration of 4:07 and employing a verse-chorus form that builds to a climactic bridge featuring a prominent . The song maintains a of 130 beats per minute, creating a driving yet emotive pace typical of ballads. Blending elements of and pop, the track is characterized by dynamic tension that escalates through layered arrangements, evoking the intensity of anthems while incorporating contemporary production polish. begins with a piano-led introduction that establishes a somber mood, gradually incorporating full band elements including riffs performed by Thomas Raggi and supportive bass lines from , alongside by Ethan Torchio to heighten the emotional swell. The ballad's dynamics were shaped in production by Fabrizio Ferraguzzo.

Lyrical content

The lyrics of "The Loneliest" center on the profound isolation following a , capturing the narrator's struggle with unrequited attachment and emotional dependency on a former partner. Frontman articulates this through poignant lines such as "Tonight is gonna be the loneliest / You'll be the saddest part of me / A part of me that will never be mine," which evoke a sense of irreversible loss and the lingering presence of the ex-lover as an indelible emotional scar. The song's chorus reinforces this dependency with the repeated plea "I can't let you go / 'Cause I die every night / With you on my mind," highlighting the torment of nightly rumination and the inability to sever ties. Central themes revolve around the "saddest part" of the self remaining tethered to the ex-partner, manifesting as a haunting that permeates daily existence. David employs vivid metaphors to convey this, likening the lost to "the oxygen I breathe" to symbolize vital emotional sustenance now withheld, and to "the ghost of my memories / Haunting me 'til the end of time" to depict the spectral, inescapable echoes of the relationship. These images underscore a narrative of farewell intertwined with enduring connection, as the narrator imagines leaving behind a as a final testament: "This is all I have to give you / So you will remember me." Described by as a blend of , farewell, and will, the express universal themes of and mortality amid personal heartbreak. Penned from a first-person perspective by Damiano David along with Victoria De Angelis, Thomas Raggi, Ethan Torchio, Jason Evigan, Sarah Hudson, James Abrahart, Rami Yacoub, and MNEK, the lyrics reflect his personal vulnerability during a challenging period marked by distance from home and intense feelings of loneliness, pressures exacerbated by the band's rising fame and constant touring. David has shared that the song stems from "a very tough moment of my life, when I was far from home and I felt very lonely," infusing the words with raw authenticity. This confessional approach contrasts with Måneskin's typical energetic lyrics in other tracks, shifting to introspective balladry that amplifies the emotional weight of the themes. The ballad structure further heightens this lyrical intimacy, allowing the vulnerability to resonate deeply.

Promotion and visuals

Promotion

Promotion for "The Loneliest" commenced with a teaser shared by on their platforms on September 21, 2022, featuring a video of a handwritten letter in script that highlighted the words "The Loneliest," evoking themes of and to intrigue fans. This cryptic post set the stage for further anticipation, as the band continued to engage their audience through enigmatic updates. The title was officially unveiled on September 23, 2022, via additional announcements that amplified buzz and encouraged fan speculation and interaction across platforms. These efforts effectively built excitement leading up to the single's release. "The Loneliest" was issued as a single on October 7, 2022, through , serving as the third single from the band's upcoming album Rush!, which highlighted the project's stylistic diversity through its power ballad format. To heighten pre-release hype, Måneskin staged a surprise sold-out performance at The Underworld venue in on October 6, 2022, where they debuted the track live before an intimate crowd of 500. Complementing these initiatives, digital pre-save options were promoted on major streaming services, fostering direct fan participation and streaming readiness.

Music video

The music video for "The Loneliest", directed by Tommaso Ottomano, was released on October 12, 2022, via . Filming took place at Villa Tittoni Traversi in , , where the production captured a gothic, cinematic aesthetic through rainy, dimly lit scenes depicting frontman wandering the villa's abandoned halls. The visual narrative explores emotional turmoil via symbolic imagery, including a surreal with mourners and solitary figures, which echoes the song's motifs of isolation and loss. The band members appear in stylized black attire amid the funeral setting, with subtle movements and positioning that underscore themes of separation and introspection, rather than overt performance. By 2023, the video had amassed over 50 million views on YouTube.

Reception

Critical reception

"The Loneliest" received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its emotional intensity and the band's ability to deliver a heartfelt . described the track as an "exuberant" single that highlights Måneskin's capacity for vulnerability amid their typically high-energy rock style. Consequence of Sound lauded it as a "dramatic ," emphasizing the theatrical flair that defines the Italian rockers' sound, with frontman Damiano David's powerful vocals driving the narrative of loss and longing. Critics particularly commended David's vocal performance, noting its haunting and emotive delivery that elevates the song's introspective themes. The Musical Hype highlighted how David "sounds fantastic," paired with straightforward yet relatable songwriting that captures the pain of . Publications like The Hofstra Chronicle echoed this, describing David's interpretation as "haunting [and] beautiful," while the instrumentation effectively conveys underlying . RetroPop Magazine focused on the accompanying video's gothic romance, which amplifies the track's melancholic atmosphere through dramatic visuals of rain-soaked despair. Several reviewers appreciated the song's departure from Måneskin's rockier material toward more introspective territory, with The Rock Fix calling it a "highly emotional track that dials back the more hard-rocking elements." However, some minor criticisms emerged; NME's review noted that "The Loneliest" feels somewhat "tacked on" to the broader project, suggesting a predictability in its conventional structure. Despite this, the track was overall rated highly for its polished production and lyrical honesty, with himself describing it as a deeply personal piece intended for universal relatability.

Commercial reception

"The Loneliest" achieved strong initial streaming success upon its release, debuting at No. 4 on Spotify's Global Daily Chart and becoming the most played brand new song worldwide within its first day, amassing over 2.5 million global streams in 24 hours. This marked Måneskin's highest streaming debut for a single at the time, bolstered by positive critical buzz that highlighted its emotional depth and rock ballad style. The track quickly gained traction on radio, with stations across and the adding it to rock and alternative playlists shortly after launch, enhancing its visibility and contributing to pre-release anticipation for Måneskin's album Rush!.

Charts and certifications

Chart performance

"The Loneliest" achieved significant chart success in following its release. In , the song debuted at number one on the FIMI Singles for the week of October 14, 2022, marking Måneskin's second number-one single in their home country, and held the top position for two non-consecutive weeks. The track also topped the Ultratop 50 chart in , , reaching number one on January 14, 2023. It peaked at number 53 on the chart, reflecting its international streaming appeal. Additionally, "The Loneliest" entered the top 10 in several European countries, including number 13 in on the Swiss Singles Chart and number 7 in on the Singles Chart. On year-end charts, the song ranked within the top 50 on Italy's FIMI Singles Chart for 2022. Weekly performances included a debut at number 90 on the UK Singles Chart and a peak of number 8 on the US Alternative Airplay chart.

Certifications

"The Loneliest" has received several certifications for its sales and streaming performance across various countries, reflecting its commercial success following its release. In Italy, the song was certified 3× Platinum by the (FIMI) for 150,000 units (pre-2025 thresholds) as of April 2024. The track achieved Diamond certification in France by the Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) for 500,000 units as of November 2023. In Spain, it received Gold certification by Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE) for 20,000 units. Additionally, global streaming equivalents have propelled the song to over 442 million streams on Spotify as of November 2025, contributing to its international recognition.

Cultural impact

Use in media

"The Loneliest" has been prominently featured as the main theme song for the 2023 Netflix series , where it underscores the intense sword-fighting sequences and emotional depth of the narrative involving a legendary swordsman battling demonic forces. The track's brooding rock style complements the series' dramatic tone, appearing in the trailer released in September 2023 to heighten the epic confrontations. This integration marked a significant media placement for the song, boosting its exposure within gaming and anime communities, as noted in coverage of the adaptation from Capcom's classic video game franchise. Beyond official licensing, the song has gained traction in , including fan-edited videos and playlists curated for rock anthems and ballads, where it resonates as an emotional power track. Its themes of isolation and heartbreak have made it popular for viral edits on platforms like , particularly in 2023-2024 content related to personal breakups, amplifying its reach among younger audiences. Footage from the song's live performances during Måneskin's 2023 world tour, including Italian stadium shows like those at in , has been widely shared online, capturing the band's raw energy. As of November 2025, "The Loneliest" has not secured major synchronization licenses for feature films or extensive TV series placements, though its tie-in with has been highlighted in gaming media for bridging and interactive entertainment narratives.

Awards and nominations

"The music video for 'The Loneliest' won Best Rock Video at the , held at the in on September 12." The win recognized the video's gothic aesthetics and the song's emotional depth in depicting themes of isolation. Måneskin received multiple nominations at the , including Best Italian Act and Best Rock, winning both alongside Best Group and Best Live nods; no specific category for 'The Loneliest' resulted in a win. Positive critical reception of the track's raw vulnerability helped bolster its visibility for such honors. No additional major awards or nominations for 'The Loneliest' have been reported through 2025.

References

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