News

Alex Warren was inspired by the singer who made it ‘normal to write about dead people’

Jul 13, 2026

Alex Warren (Jack Dytrych)

Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” just set a new record for the most weeks collectively spent at #1 on the Billboard charts. Between that, his current sold-out tour and multiple awards, there’s no doubt Alex is a bona fide pop star. But he said when he started his music career, he didn’t think that was even possible — until a certain Scottish singer started having some success.

“I always thought you had to be, like, super good-looking to be in thus space, or you had to … [be] something that girls needed to gawk over,” Alex told ABC Audio. “I thought boys just writing sad songs wasn’t really a thing.”

But then Lewis Capaldi hit #1 with his heart-wrenching, Grammy-nominated hit “Someone You Loved,” which was inspired by the death of his grandmother.

“Lewis Capaldi made it a normal thing to have an amazing, angelic voice without looking like you’re the America’s Next Top Model,” Alex said.

“For me, growing up, I’ve never been that super-hot, good-looking dude. I’ve always just been a guy who makes jokes, like the class clown, who also has some emotional issues,” he added. “And I think that was really cool that Lewis made that a normal, cool thing.”

But Alex says Lewis’ success also made him feel like it was OK for him to write songs about the loss of his parents.

As Alex puts it, “He made it normal to write about dead people and losing someone, I guess.” 

Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

Related News

Netflix announces new Gosselin family documentary

Netflix announces new Gosselin family documentary

Collin Gosselin speaks with ABC News’ Juju Chang. (ABC News) Jon & Kate Plus 8 might’ve ended years ago, but the Gosselin family’s story is far from over. A new Netflix documentary on the Gosselin family is in the works, featuring interviews with the family...

read more...
New ‘Glee’ season coming to Disney+ and Hulu

New ‘Glee’ season coming to Disney+ and Hulu

Co-creator/writer Ryan Murphy (C) poses in the press room with the cast of ‘Glee’ with the award for best television series musical or comedy for ‘Glee’ at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010...

read more...
‘Glee’ reboot coming to Disney+ and Hulu

‘Glee’ reboot coming to Disney+ and Hulu

Co-creator/writer Ryan Murphy (C) poses in the press room with the cast of ‘Glee’ with the award for best television series musical or comedy for ‘Glee’ at the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 17, 2010...

read more...