Selena Gomez's 2023 single "Love On" and its accompanying music video offer more than just a catchy pop tune; they embark on a journey of self-discovery, female empowerment, and embracing vulnerability. With its infectious melody, introspective lyrics, and visually stunning video, the song empowers listeners to shed past hurts and move forward with open hearts, ready to experience love once again.
From Heartache to Healing:
The song opens with a vulnerability rarely seen in pop music. Lines like "Used to hold my breath, afraid to fall / But I won't let the fear win anymore" speak directly to navigating the aftermath of heartbreak and the courage required to open oneself up to love again. Gomez's vocals, raw and emotional, convey the journey of healing, acknowledging the pain while asserting a newfound determination to embrace vulnerability.
Beyond Fairytale Fantasies:
"Love On" doesn't paint a picture of idealized, fairytale love. Instead, it celebrates the real, messy, and unpredictable nature of love. Lyrics like "Love ain't always sunshine, sometimes it rains / But I'm ready to dance in the pourin' down" acknowledge the challenges and uncertainties that come with love, yet emphasize the willingness to embrace them with open arms. This realistic portrayal resonates with listeners who have experienced the complexities of love and are ready to embrace its true essence.
A Visual Feast of Empowerment:
The music video, directed by Petra Collins, further amplifies the song's message. Vibrant colors, whimsical sets, and playful choreography create a visually stunning narrative. As Gomez sheds layers of clothing throughout the video, it symbolizes shedding emotional baggage and stepping into a space of self-acceptance and empowerment. The diverse cast of dancers, all celebrating their unique bodies and styles, reinforces the message of embracing individuality and challenging conventional beauty standards.
Reclaiming the Narrative:
Gomez, throughout her career, has been subjected to intense public scrutiny and media narratives. "Love On" feels like a reclamation of her own narrative. The lyrics, "Tell me I can't love, baby, but I'm gonna love on" and "Used to let the voices win, but I'm shutting them out" showcase her determination to silence external narratives and embrace her own journey of love and self-discovery. This resonates with many who have faced external pressures and are learning to prioritize their own happiness.
More Than Just a Pop Song:
"Love On" is more than just a catchy pop song; it's an anthem for self-discovery, healing, and female empowerment. It encourages listeners to confront vulnerability, embrace the complexities of love, and celebrate their unique identities. With its raw honesty and message of resilience, the song leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that the journey of love is a continuous process of growth and self-acceptance.
Lyrics
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
I’m no cheap thrill
I’m a rollercoaster ride, baby jump on
Come on, come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell – you’re what I wanna love on, ohh
This doesn’t have to be some sort of mathematical equation
Slip off your jeans, slide in the sheets, screaming “yes” in quotations
Clock in, baby get to work
Night shift but with all the perks
Time stamping when you fell in love
Time can’t mess with us
Oooh, if you think about falling, got you covered like garments
Oooh, I deserve an applause for, keeping you up late ‘til you can’t see straight,
Just wait, woo!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
I’m no cheap thrill
I’m a roller coaster ride, baby jump on
Come on come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on, ohh!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til wait till
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
You’ll get your thrill
Just promise you’ll be patient with the outcome
Come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on
Why we conversing over this steak tartare when we could be
Somewhere other than here making out in the back of a car
Or in the back of a bar
Or we could make a memoir, yeah
On the back wall of the last stall in the bathroom at the bazaar
Oooh, if you think about falling, got you covered like garments
Oooh, I deserve an applause for, keeping you up late ‘til you can’t see straight,
Just wait, woo!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
I’m no cheap thrill
I’m a roller coaster ride, baby jump on
Come on come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on, ohh!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
You’ll get your thrill
Just promise you’ll be patient with the outcome
Come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on
Wait ‘til I
Wait ‘til I
Baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on, ohh!
From Heartache to Healing:
The song opens with a vulnerability rarely seen in pop music. Lines like "Used to hold my breath, afraid to fall / But I won't let the fear win anymore" speak directly to navigating the aftermath of heartbreak and the courage required to open oneself up to love again. Gomez's vocals, raw and emotional, convey the journey of healing, acknowledging the pain while asserting a newfound determination to embrace vulnerability.
Beyond Fairytale Fantasies:
"Love On" doesn't paint a picture of idealized, fairytale love. Instead, it celebrates the real, messy, and unpredictable nature of love. Lyrics like "Love ain't always sunshine, sometimes it rains / But I'm ready to dance in the pourin' down" acknowledge the challenges and uncertainties that come with love, yet emphasize the willingness to embrace them with open arms. This realistic portrayal resonates with listeners who have experienced the complexities of love and are ready to embrace its true essence.
A Visual Feast of Empowerment:
The music video, directed by Petra Collins, further amplifies the song's message. Vibrant colors, whimsical sets, and playful choreography create a visually stunning narrative. As Gomez sheds layers of clothing throughout the video, it symbolizes shedding emotional baggage and stepping into a space of self-acceptance and empowerment. The diverse cast of dancers, all celebrating their unique bodies and styles, reinforces the message of embracing individuality and challenging conventional beauty standards.
Reclaiming the Narrative:
Gomez, throughout her career, has been subjected to intense public scrutiny and media narratives. "Love On" feels like a reclamation of her own narrative. The lyrics, "Tell me I can't love, baby, but I'm gonna love on" and "Used to let the voices win, but I'm shutting them out" showcase her determination to silence external narratives and embrace her own journey of love and self-discovery. This resonates with many who have faced external pressures and are learning to prioritize their own happiness.
More Than Just a Pop Song:
"Love On" is more than just a catchy pop song; it's an anthem for self-discovery, healing, and female empowerment. It encourages listeners to confront vulnerability, embrace the complexities of love, and celebrate their unique identities. With its raw honesty and message of resilience, the song leaves a lasting impression, reminding us that the journey of love is a continuous process of growth and self-acceptance.
Lyrics
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
I’m no cheap thrill
I’m a rollercoaster ride, baby jump on
Come on, come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell – you’re what I wanna love on, ohh
This doesn’t have to be some sort of mathematical equation
Slip off your jeans, slide in the sheets, screaming “yes” in quotations
Clock in, baby get to work
Night shift but with all the perks
Time stamping when you fell in love
Time can’t mess with us
Oooh, if you think about falling, got you covered like garments
Oooh, I deserve an applause for, keeping you up late ‘til you can’t see straight,
Just wait, woo!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
I’m no cheap thrill
I’m a roller coaster ride, baby jump on
Come on come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on, ohh!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til wait till
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
You’ll get your thrill
Just promise you’ll be patient with the outcome
Come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on
Why we conversing over this steak tartare when we could be
Somewhere other than here making out in the back of a car
Or in the back of a bar
Or we could make a memoir, yeah
On the back wall of the last stall in the bathroom at the bazaar
Oooh, if you think about falling, got you covered like garments
Oooh, I deserve an applause for, keeping you up late ‘til you can’t see straight,
Just wait, woo!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
I’m no cheap thrill
I’m a roller coaster ride, baby jump on
Come on come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on, ohh!
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
Wait ‘til, wait ‘til
Wait ‘til I turn my love on
You’ll get your thrill
Just promise you’ll be patient with the outcome
Come on
Cause baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on
Wait ‘til I
Wait ‘til I
Baby if you can’t tell, you’re what I wanna love on, ohh!
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