“And I think it should be somethin' that I don't wanna hold back… maybe you should know that.”
Personally, I happened to like this song on my first listen to it, given the fact that I am not a believer nor I could categorize myself as a Justin Bieber fan (or what fans call themselves as “Beliebers”, but I felt something with this song. I know other listeners felt something too because this track voices out how people feel after breaking up with someone. I was like “Wow! It’s another feel-good song that can boost other people’s emotional states and vibes!”
But don’t let the hype train move out of the train station just yet, because there’s something peculiar about the lyrics that we need to decode first.
With the aid of Benny Blanco, Justin Bieber and Ed Sheeran wrote this goodbye song to a past lover. Like most love songs, this should be bitter or caring. This song can certainly give a false interpretation for the fragile understanding of people especially in the last part of the chorus: “You should go and love yourself;” but if you were to listen closely to this and try to taste its seemingly-bland lyrics, you will realize how this song can be savory and sweet! You’ll just know that you have been tricked by Ed Sheeran and his poetically awesome words.
Unlike his other fresh singles such as “What Do You Mean?” and “Sorry,” “Love Yourself” has a different touch to it, sprinkled by the genius ofthese three people. It may not be as upbeat as his other songs but it still has a haunting, catchy, pop tune.
As with Justin’s recent singles “What Do You Mean?” and “Sorry”, many listeners can’t help but think of one girl when they hear the tracks. Do you wanna guess who it is? You’re right! It’s Selena Gomez. But on a recent interview on The Ellen Show, Bieber identified only three songs that are undoubtedly inspired by his ex-lover and these are: “Mark My Words,” “What Do You Mean” and his other sensational single “Sorry.” But this does not mean that the implied ex-lover is not Selena Gomez—given Ed Sheeran’s contribution, it’s likely a combination of Selena and one of Ed Sheeran’s exes or maybe Benny Blanco’s, if the song is autobiographical at all.
On November 14th, 2015 the official music video for this song was released. A four minute video directed by Parris Goebel, it shows an arguing couple communicating by dancing around their house. The video stars renowned dancers, Keone and Mari Madrid.
After taking the time of your life to know a person, you have found out that he or she was always a stranger after all. If you want to try to vent out the bitterness within you using euphemized words to your ex, try to let him or her listen to this track, and you’re sure to hit their hearts right... BULL’S EYE!
