Justin Bieber's 'Lonely' surges 1400% in sales as fans link song to his past with Diddy
“Lonely” is experiencing a resurgence in America, with the track selling nearly 1,500 copies in the past week, according to Luminate. Although this isn't quite enough for the song to enter Billboard's charts, it’s closer to making it onto lists like the Digital Song Sales chart than it has been in years.
Justin Bieber is currently taking a break from music, as he recently became a father for the first time. While the pop star focuses on caring for his wife and child, one of his older songs is gaining renewed popularity, years after initially achieving modest success.
While 1,500 copies might not seem like a significant number, it's a huge jump compared to the previous week’s sales. "Lonely" had sold fewer than 100 copies the week before, marking a staggering 1,400% increase in sales within just a few days.
Bieber isn't actively promoting "Lonely," and the song's resurgence is largely happening without his involvement. Fans online have collectively reinterpreted the track, which describes the singer’s feelings of loneliness and the price he paid for fame at a young age. They now believe it serves as a cry for help, specifically linking it to Bieber’s past relationship with Diddy.
The hip-hop mogul is currently facing serious charges, including racketeering and sex trafficking, after years of rumors about his misconduct. Over 100 individuals have come forward with allegations, claiming they were either assaulted by Diddy or harmed in other ways. Although Diddy’s legal proceedings are just beginning, he was recently denied bail and remains in custody.
Diddy and Bieber were seen together several times when Bieber was beginning his music career. Powerful figures in the music industry, such as Usher, played a significant role in helping Bieber rise to fame. While Bieber hasn’t publicly addressed any inappropriate behavior he may have encountered, fans have connected "Lonely" to Diddy’s alleged wrongdoings.