Canadian singer-songwriter Patrick Watson has revealed the surprising origins of his record-breaking Spotify hit, Je te laisserai des mots, which skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a candid interview, Watson admitted the track was born out of a tipsy late-night recording session—one he barely remembered the next day.
The Unlikely Rise of a Pandemic Anthem
Originally released in 2010, the hauntingly beautiful ballad gained unexpected traction in 2020 as listeners worldwide sought solace in its melancholic yet soothing melody. Watson recalls checking his streaming stats in disbelief as the song amassed millions of plays. "I woke up one morning and my phone was blowing up—Spotify was telling me I had a viral hit," he said.
A Drunken Creation That Struck a Chord
The musician chuckled as he described the song's unconventional beginnings: "We were half-drunk when we recorded it, just messing around in the studio. I didn't think much of it at the time." Little did he know, this impromptu session would produce what became many listeners' pandemic comfort track.
Spotify's Algorithm Catapults Obscure Track to Fame
Watson credits Spotify's recommendation engine for the song's second life. As users created mood-based playlists during lockdowns, Je te laisserai des mots began appearing in "chill," "study," and "sleep" playlists worldwide. By 2021, it had become one of the most-streamed indie tracks globally, with over 300 million plays to date.
The unexpected success has reshaped Watson's career, proving that in the digital age, even a decade-old song recorded on a whim can find its moment. "It's taught me that you never know when or how your music will connect with people," he reflected.
