Justin Timberlake dives headfirst into the turbulent waters of possessive love in his latest music video, "Selfish." This isn't a love song serenade; it's a raw, vulnerable exploration of jealousy, obsession, and the desperate desire to own another's heart. From the opening notes, a melancholic synth melody sets the mood, creating a sense of unease that mirrors the song's central conflict.
Timberlake, clad in a simple white tee and jeans, appears solitary amidst vast desert landscapes. The starkness of the environment reflects the internal turmoil he portrays. His vocals, seasoned with years of navigating emotional terrain, whisper lines of possessiveness: "So, if I get jealous, I can't help it/I want every bit of you," revealing a love teetering on the edge of control.
Director Bradley J. Calder masterfully complements the song's emotional complexity with captivating visuals. The camera lingers on Timberlake's expressive eyes, capturing the flicker of vulnerability that pierces through the facade of jealousy. We see him grappling with self-doubt, mirroring the lyrics "Is it me? Am I not enough?" and questioning his own ability to deserve the object of his desire.
But "Selfish" isn't simply a monologue of insecurity. It delves deeper into the intoxicating nature of love's grip. As the chorus kicks in, the melody soars, and Timberlake dances amidst swirling clouds of colored smoke. The visuals shift between the stark desert and a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors, reflecting the intoxicating highs and dizzying lows of this obsessive love.
In one particularly poignant scene, Timberlake stares at a distorted reflection of himself, suggesting a warped self-perception fueled by his insecurities. It's a powerful commentary on how jealousy can distort reality and twist love into a weapon of self-destruction.
Yet, there's a glimmer of hope within the darkness. Towards the end, Timberlake reaches out to a shimmering figure in the distance, his hand outstretched in longing. It's a tentative step towards understanding and perhaps, accepting his own limitations. It's a flicker of self-awareness, a hint that the journey towards healthy love might begin with acknowledging the depths of our own darkness.
"Selfish" is more than just a catchy pop song; it's a psychological study of love's dark side. It delves into the raw human emotions of jealousy, insecurity, and the struggle to maintain control in the face of overwhelming desire. Timberlake's masterful performance and Calder's evocative visuals combine to create a music video that's as haunting as it is beautiful, urging us to confront the complexities of our own hearts and navigate the often-murky waters of love with honesty and self-awareness.
Lyrics:
If they saw what I saw
They would fall the way I fell
But they don’t know what you want
And baby I would never tell
If they knew what I know
They would never let you go
So guess what
I ain’t never letting you go
Cause your lips were made for mine
And my heart would go flatline
If it wasn’t beating for you all the time
So if I get jealous
I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess I’m selfish
It’s bad for my mental, but
I can’t fight it, when
You’re out looking like you do
But you can’t hide it, no
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin’ me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Every time the phone rings
I hope that it’s you on the other side
I want to tell you everything
Everything that’s on mind
And I don’t want any other guys
Taking my place, girl, I got too much pride
I know I may be wrong, but I don’t wanna be right
Cause your lips were made for mine
And my heart could go flatline
If it wasn’t beating for you all the time
So if I get jealous
I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess i’m selfish
It’s bad for my mental, but
I can’t fight it, when
You’re out looking like you do
But you can’t hide it, no
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Owner of my heart
Tattooed your mark
There for the whole world to see
You’re the owner of my heart
And all my scars
Baby you got such a hold on me
So if I get jealous
I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess I’m selfish
It’s bad for my mental, but
I can’t fight it, when
You’re out looking like you do
But you can’t hide it, no
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin’ me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin’ me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Jealous, but I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess I’m selfish
Timberlake, clad in a simple white tee and jeans, appears solitary amidst vast desert landscapes. The starkness of the environment reflects the internal turmoil he portrays. His vocals, seasoned with years of navigating emotional terrain, whisper lines of possessiveness: "So, if I get jealous, I can't help it/I want every bit of you," revealing a love teetering on the edge of control.
Director Bradley J. Calder masterfully complements the song's emotional complexity with captivating visuals. The camera lingers on Timberlake's expressive eyes, capturing the flicker of vulnerability that pierces through the facade of jealousy. We see him grappling with self-doubt, mirroring the lyrics "Is it me? Am I not enough?" and questioning his own ability to deserve the object of his desire.
But "Selfish" isn't simply a monologue of insecurity. It delves deeper into the intoxicating nature of love's grip. As the chorus kicks in, the melody soars, and Timberlake dances amidst swirling clouds of colored smoke. The visuals shift between the stark desert and a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors, reflecting the intoxicating highs and dizzying lows of this obsessive love.
In one particularly poignant scene, Timberlake stares at a distorted reflection of himself, suggesting a warped self-perception fueled by his insecurities. It's a powerful commentary on how jealousy can distort reality and twist love into a weapon of self-destruction.
Yet, there's a glimmer of hope within the darkness. Towards the end, Timberlake reaches out to a shimmering figure in the distance, his hand outstretched in longing. It's a tentative step towards understanding and perhaps, accepting his own limitations. It's a flicker of self-awareness, a hint that the journey towards healthy love might begin with acknowledging the depths of our own darkness.
"Selfish" is more than just a catchy pop song; it's a psychological study of love's dark side. It delves into the raw human emotions of jealousy, insecurity, and the struggle to maintain control in the face of overwhelming desire. Timberlake's masterful performance and Calder's evocative visuals combine to create a music video that's as haunting as it is beautiful, urging us to confront the complexities of our own hearts and navigate the often-murky waters of love with honesty and self-awareness.
Lyrics:
If they saw what I saw
They would fall the way I fell
But they don’t know what you want
And baby I would never tell
If they knew what I know
They would never let you go
So guess what
I ain’t never letting you go
Cause your lips were made for mine
And my heart would go flatline
If it wasn’t beating for you all the time
So if I get jealous
I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess I’m selfish
It’s bad for my mental, but
I can’t fight it, when
You’re out looking like you do
But you can’t hide it, no
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin’ me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Every time the phone rings
I hope that it’s you on the other side
I want to tell you everything
Everything that’s on mind
And I don’t want any other guys
Taking my place, girl, I got too much pride
I know I may be wrong, but I don’t wanna be right
Cause your lips were made for mine
And my heart could go flatline
If it wasn’t beating for you all the time
So if I get jealous
I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess i’m selfish
It’s bad for my mental, but
I can’t fight it, when
You’re out looking like you do
But you can’t hide it, no
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Owner of my heart
Tattooed your mark
There for the whole world to see
You’re the owner of my heart
And all my scars
Baby you got such a hold on me
So if I get jealous
I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess I’m selfish
It’s bad for my mental, but
I can’t fight it, when
You’re out looking like you do
But you can’t hide it, no
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin’ me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Put you in a frame ooo
Baby who could blame you
Glad your mama made you
Makin’ me insane, you
Cannot be explained ooo
You must be an angel
Jealous, but I can’t help it
I want every bit of you
I guess I’m selfish
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