The song was released in January 2019 as the second single from Lewis' forthcoming debut studio album, A Place We Knew.

[1] Lewis told Triple J "The song was conceived in a London cab two years ago after an argument with a girl...the line, 'Is it too late to turn around, I'm already halfway out of town' came into my head while I was sitting in an Uber about halfway from her place to mine.

Musically poignant verses and an all-out strummer of a chorus lead into a stripped back yet triumphant bridge, helped out by ethereal pads and drums."

"[6] Al Newstead from ABC said "'7 Minutes' is about lost love, with acoustic-plucking that builds to a stirring climax of rolling snare and dramatic vocal harmonies that will definitely appeal to fans of Vance Joy and Mumford and Sons.

"[2] On 18 March 2019, Lewis performed "7 Minutes" as well as "Stay Awake" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.