Review: Selena Gomez’s “The Heart Wants What it Wants”

By Avantika Debnath

One of the most awaited singles of Hollywood’s very celebrated young pop star Selena Gomez was released worldwide yesterday and I have almost heard it over a hundred times in repeat-peat-peat-peat (just like I do with other Gomez numbers). The lyrics of the song poured right out of a broken heart, the music was absolute manna for the mood and the video aptly conveyed that no matter what, the flame still burns, somewhere beneath the broken pieces of the heart. And no matter what, the heart (still) wants what it wants. No prizes for guessing, the song pretty much sums up Selena’s unconditional emotions for her on-again-off-again boyfriend Justin Beiber. The young star herself admitted on Ryan Seacrest’s November 6^th show that the song was inspired by the turmoil-ridden relationship that she shared with Beiber, but the star still has feelings for him. “I support him [Justin]. I think I always will. I’m upset when he’s upset, I’m happy when he’s happy,” said Gomez, referring to the man who has broken her heart many a time. “I don’t want anything bad ever happen to him. It hurts me,” she concludes.

Coming to the video, it opens in a black and white screen, with a random voiceover by the Come and get it singer, followed by a teary-eyed Gomez singing, The heart wants what it wants. The theme of the single is quite similar to that of Miley Cyrus’s Wrecking ball, mourning over lost love. But though Cyrus sings a fabulous song in a tacky video, Gomez manages to maintain class. However, the one pattern both these former Disney stars share with any other girl next door is how their worlds fall apart when their hearts are toyed with. Apparently, both Cyrus and Gomez have surpassed their ex-boyfriends significantly in success, fame and monetary status. And yet they are still vulnerable to heartbreak and don’t shy away from crying out.

As they display the vulnerable side to the world, we are left to wonder, is the fairer sex really that weak?

While their former paramours fly off to exotic romantic destinations with their new partners, away from the prying lenses of the paparazzi, our belles brood over shattered relationships and nurse wounded hearts. Well, maybe it’s more than that. Maybe the breakups have proved to be profitable too, as they were not just busy emptying the tissue box. These sassy singers turned their feelings into rhythm and belted it out loud to the world.

It might take just a good hat to cover up from paparazzi, but it does take a lot of talent to make a song out of your sobbing and – what’s more – it takes some guts to show the world how you feel, with confidence.

Maybe the fairer sex isn’t that weak after all. They can sob, sing, show, and still succeed. It’s not just Miley or Selena – it’s all of us. Just get done with it and move on. But before that, check out the video: