Selena Gomez shares emotional meaning behind 'Rare' on Fallon

Selena Gomez is back and she’s an open book. The pop star, former Disney Channel kid and Taylor Swift BFF appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night, speaking openly about her own vulnerability and the meaning behind her new album, Rare.“It’s been four years, four and a half years now, since I’ve released anything,” the singer noted, saying that she’s extremely happy to have new songs out in the world. “I think I was holding my breath for four years and then finally I just exhaled and now it exists.”The album isn’t just new music, though—it’s the release of years of emotional baggage. “There came a point in my life where there were so many things being said on my behalf,” Selena explained, carefully choosing her words. “I found myself protecting people that didn’t really protect me because I didn’t want to start anything, but I had a right to say my side of the story and I felt like that was so liberating because it almost felt like I had let it go, once it was out, and that was the greatest gift.” (Though Justin Bieber's name was never uttered, the assumption that the album and her first single is about him remains strong.)[video_embed id='1876068']Selena Gomez keeps her cool when Jimmy Fallon puts her senses to the test[/video_embed]When Fallon asked what Gomez wants listeners to take away from the album, the 27-year-old was introspective. “I think what was most important for me with this record is to make sure that every single song, whether it was the lyrics or the production, to mean something and to actually hold weight. One of my favourite songs on the album is “Vulnerable” and I think it’s a way of me hoping I could just be a voice for people who are in the same situation I’m in, whether it’s something mentally that people struggle or relationships, friendships...I wanted to be as honest as I could. The only thing I wanted was to make people feel good.”

 

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Rare was a long time in the making—in fact, almost as long as the break between records. Interestingly, Gomez knew the moment that she started writing for the album what it would be called. “The word is so special, and it means a lot.”“There are some girls who are hurting because they feel like they don’t fit in,” she explained. “But this word is eliminating that. You weren’t meant to look like everything else, you’re meant to be who you are and that’s unique and that’s rare.”The album’s first single, the haunting ballad “Lose You to Love Me”, was produced by Billie Eilish’s brother and musical partner, Finneas. “He did an amazing job,” Selena gushed. “He’s obviously extremely talented.” Fallon then threw Gomez for a bit of a loop by explaining that she was actually an indirect inspiration for Eilish’s hit song “Bad Guy”.“Am I the bad guy?” she joked in confusion. Fallon quickly explained that the theme song to Wizards of Waverly Place, the Disney show starring Gomez that ran from 2007 to 2012, was an inspiration for the tune. As he played both tracks back-to-back, the audience burst into the theme song, singing the line, “Yes please!” at full volume. Selena opened her mouth in shock and exclaimed, “Oh my god!” before laughing in delight. “That’s so cool.”Disney fans never forget, Selena. Rare was released on January 10th, 2020.[video_embed id='1456925']Selena Gomez’s pals wants to set her up with someone “worthy”[/video_embed]