Selena Gomez Embraces Independence and Self-Love on New Album ‘Rare’: Decoding the Lyrics to All 13 Songs

Credit: Interscope Records

Selena Gomez Embraces Independence and Self-Love on New Album ‘Rare’: Decoding the Lyrics to All 13 Songs

It’s here! Selena Gomez released her highly anticipated third studio album, Rare, on Friday, January 10. The latest addition to the singer’s discography, following 2013’s Stars Dance and 2015’s Revival, is her strongest yet, with elements of pop, electronic, R&B and even rock music. It is also her most autobiographical project yet, as she reflects on her splits from Justin Bieber and The Weeknd as well as her mental health. “Honestly, this album was kind of a nightmare to deal with, but in the best way possible,” Gomez, 27, admitted in a recent interview with Spotify. “I thought that I was so ready, like, two years ago [to release it]. … I had collected all of these sessions, beautiful sessions, that I don’t even remember half of them [now] because it evolved each year. And then something would happen to me and it would be very drastic, so it would take me somewhere else. And then all of a sudden, I found this healing, and I saw something bigger than what I thought I was. And I think that also added the whole end of the album.” Rare includes collaborations with rappers 6LACK and Kid Cudi, the latter of whom the Disney Channel alum raved about working with. “I’ll never forget my session with Scott — Kid Cudi — because, obviously, I’m a huge fan,” she told Spotify. “But he definitely took the song that I had and turned it into something unbelievable. It was nothing when I sent him the song — actually, technically, someone sent it without my permission at first because I was scared. But it’s OK. It worked out. I said, ‘I purely trust you with this.’ And I think that was super exciting for him.” Below, Us Weekly decodes the lyrics to all 13 songs on the standard version of Rare. (The Target exclusive and international editions include five additional tracks: “Bad Liar,” “Fetish,” “It Ain’t Me,” “Back to You” and “Wolves,” all of which were previously released and expertly analyzed by fans, and therefore omitted below.)

Credit: Interscope Records

Selena Gomez Embraces Independence and Self-Love on New Album ‘Rare’: Decoding the Lyrics to All 13 Songs

It’s here! Selena Gomez released her highly anticipated third studio album, Rare, on Friday, January 10. The latest addition to the singer’s discography, following 2013’s Stars Dance and 2015’s Revival, is her strongest yet, with elements of pop, electronic, R&B and even rock music. It is also her most autobiographical project yet, as she reflects on her splits from Justin Bieber and The Weeknd as well as her mental health. “Honestly, this album was kind of a nightmare to deal with, but in the best way possible,” Gomez, 27, admitted in a recent interview with Spotify. “I thought that I was so ready, like, two years ago [to release it]. … I had collected all of these sessions, beautiful sessions, that I don’t even remember half of them [now] because it evolved each year. And then something would happen to me and it would be very drastic, so it would take me somewhere else. And then all of a sudden, I found this healing, and I saw something bigger than what I thought I was. And I think that also added the whole end of the album.” Rare includes collaborations with rappers 6LACK and Kid Cudi, the latter of whom the Disney Channel alum raved about working with. “I’ll never forget my session with Scott — Kid Cudi — because, obviously, I’m a huge fan,” she told Spotify. “But he definitely took the song that I had and turned it into something unbelievable. It was nothing when I sent him the song — actually, technically, someone sent it without my permission at first because I was scared. But it’s OK. It worked out. I said, ‘I purely trust you with this.’ And I think that was super exciting for him.” Below, Us Weekly decodes the lyrics to all 13 songs on the standard version of Rare. (The Target exclusive and international editions include five additional tracks: “Bad Liar,” “Fetish,” “It Ain’t Me,” “Back to You” and “Wolves,” all of which were previously released and expertly analyzed by fans, and therefore omitted below.)

Credit: Shutterstock

1. ‘Rare’

On the experimental title track, Gomez realizes her worth after a boyfriend becomes distant. She hopes to one day find someone who shows her the appreciation she deserves. “I’m not gonna beg for you / I’m not gonna let you make me cry,” she sings.

Credit: Shutterstock

2. ‘Dance Again’

Gomez stresses the importance of post-breakup happiness and confidence but also vulnerability on this electronic song. “Feels so good to dance again,” she intones.

Credit: Shutterstock

3. ‘Look at Her Now’

The album’s second single finds Gomez in the same — if not better — headspace as “Dance Again.” She starts to feel strong again after dodging bullet in a toxic relationship. “She knows she’ll find love / Only if she wants it,” she sings.

Credit: Shutterstock

4. ‘Lose You to Love Me’

The lead single, which is one of the only ballads songs on the otherwise upbeat Rare, is a clear farewell to Bieber, 25. “You promised the world and I fell for it / I put you first and you adored it,” Gomez sings. “Set fires to my forest / And you let it burn / Sang off-key in my chorus / ‘Cause it wasn’t yours.”

Credit: Shutterstock

5. ‘Ring’

Gomez channels Camila Cabello on this theatrical number, which is her biggest vocal departure to date. “I’m breakin’ hearts like a heart attack / Got him right where the carat’s at / Wrapped ‘round my finger like a ring / They just like puppets on a string,” she sings.

Credit: Shutterstock

6. ‘Vulnerable’

The album’s standout, lyrically and sonically, showcases Gomez making peace with the end of a relationship after her ex gives up on the possibility of reconciling. “If I give the opportunity to you, then would you blow it? / If I was the greatest thing to happen to you, would you know it?” she asks. “If my love was like a flower, would you plant it, would you grow it?”

Credit: Shutterstock

7. ‘People You Know’

This über-catchy track takes a close look at how a relationship and the people in it change over time. Gomez sings about “so many wasted nights” with her former lover before launching into the chorus: “We used to be close, but people can go from people you know to people you don’t.”

Credit: Shutterstock

8. ‘Let Me Get Me’

Gomez embraces her independence and joy after dealing with the highs and lows that come with a breakup. “I’mma dance for therapy, all my babies and me / But tonight it’s for free,” she sings. “No self-sabotage, no letting my thoughts run / Me and the spiral are done / Burn this camouflage I’ve been wearing for months / Tryna let a little happy in for once.”

Credit: Shutterstock

9. ‘Crowded Room’ feat. 6LACK

This R&B jam appears to interpolate Cassie’s “Me & U,” with Gomez singing about sparking an instant connection with a new flame, possibly The Weeknd, 29. “It started polite, out on thin ice / ’Til you came over to break it,” she croons. “I threw you a line, and you were mine / Yeah, I was afraid, but you made it safe / I guess that is our combination / Said you feel lost, well, so do I.”

Credit: Shutterstock

10. ‘Kinda Crazy’

Gomez calls out a “super shady” liar she once dated on this savage groove. “Been dodgin’ phone calls lately / But still textin’ me, ‘Baby,’” she sings.

Credit: Shutterstock

11. ‘Fun’

On this aptly titled tune, Gomez finds herself having trouble resisting someone who is “trouble” and “may not be The One” but would be ideal for a casual fling. “Can we keep it on a first name basis?” she wonders. “We could overcrowd each other’s spaces / You get me higher than my medication / Take me to different places / Let’s face it, I’m gettin’ impatient.”

Credit: Shutterstock

12. ‘Cut You Off’

Gomez cuts out someone who kept coming in and out of her life in this explicit track, likely inspired by her on-off relationship with Bieber. “The truth is that I think I’ve had enough,” she warns. “Professionally messin’ with my trust / How could I confuse that s--t for love? / So I gotta get you out my head now.”

Elsewhere in the song, she sings, “Gotta chop, chop all the extra weight I’ve been carrying for 1,460 days,” which equates to four years — the length of her and Bieber’s romance.

Credit: Shutterstock

13. ‘A Sweeter Place’ feat. Kid Cudi

Now officially on her own, Gomez closes out the album with “two feet on the ground,” her ex in the rearview mirror and her well-being at the forefront of her mind. “Livin’ out of the scene, out in the wild / Learnin’ to breath,” she sings. “Up in the clouds, far from the crowds / I can’t believe I can be loud / Holdin’ hands with the darkness and knowin’ my heart is allowed.”