Is Selena Gomez's "Lose You to Love Me" About Justin Bieber?
10 Emotional References in Selena Gomez's "Lose You to Love Me" That Scream Justin Bieber
Whew — Selena Gomez released her new single, "Lose You to Love Me," on Oct. 23, and there's a lot to unpack. From the moment Gomez first revealed the track's title, fans immediately assumed it would be about her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber, and you know what, I think they were right. "This song was inspired by many things that have happened in my life since releasing my last album," the 27-year-old said in a statement. "I want people to feel hope and to know you will come out the other side stronger and a better version of yourself."
Bieber and Gomez famously dated on and off from 2010 to 2018. They ultimately split for good in March 2018 after Gomez reportedly realised that "even though he's made some positive improvements, they just aren't a perfect match right now." Shortly after, Bieber rekindled his romance with Hailey Baldwin, and they wed in a courthouse ceremony in NYC in September 2018.
Following the release of Gomez's song, fans believed Baldwin took a dig at Gomez after she shared a screenshot of Summer Walker and Jhené Aiko's song "I'll Kill You" on her Instagram Stories. Baldwin later denied the claims, writing, "Please stop with this nonsense . . . there is no 'response.'"
So, without further ado, let's look at the lyrics, shall we?
- "You promised the world and I fell for it / I put you first and you adored it." Gomez starts the song off with this lyric, which seems like a reference to when Gomez reconciled with Bieber in 2017, despite her mom's concerns. According to reports, Mandy Teefey wasn't happy about their rekindled romance, and the reconciliation caused "so much angst for the family." Still, Gomez chose to be with Bieber, and things got so bad that Gomez and Teefey unfollowed each other on Instagram, and her mom ended up in the hospital over a "heated" argument they had about him.
- "I saw the signs and I ignored it / Rose-coloured glasses all distorted." Gomez and Bieber dated on and off again from 2010 to 2018, and despite all the cheating allegations and reported fighting, Gomez still defended her decision to get back with Bieber in 2017. "I cherish people who have really impacted my life," she told Billboard. "So maybe before, it could have been forcing something that wasn't right. But that doesn't mean caring for someone ever goes away. And [that goes for] people in general."
- "Set fire to my purpose." Justin's fourth studio album is titled Purpose. Coincidence?
- "We'd always go into it blindly." Here, Gomez appears to be talking about all the times they got back together.
- "This dance, it was killing me softly." This also seems like a reference to Bieber and Gomez's multiple breakups and how their tumultuous relationship was taking a toll on her.
- "I gave my all and they all know it." Because so much of Bieber and Gomez's relationship was public, fans know how much Gomez really tried to make things work with Bieber.
- "In two months, you replaced us / Like it was easy." This is perhaps the most telling lyric. Gomez and Bieber broke up for good in March 2018, and two months later, rumours began swirling that he had gotten back together with Hailey Baldwin. In June, they confirmed the reports when they were seen together in Miami.
- "I needed to lose you to love me." Ultimately, Gomez needed to break from Bieber to learn to love herself.
- "And now the chapter is closed and done." Bieber and Baldwin wed in a courthouse ceremony in September 2018 and again in South Carolina this past September, so there's really no going back anymore.
- "And now it's goodbye, it's goodbye for us." This is basically Gomez's goodbye letter to Bieber.
