When Heartbeats Betray Us | Back To You | Selena Gomez


"Selena Gomez's 'Back to You' is a deeply emotive song that speaks volumes about love, longing, and the possible self-destructive ways we navigate our relationships. The song was a part of the '13 Reasons Why' Season 2 soundtrack and encapsulates the essence of the tumultuous on-again and off-again love story within the show. However, beyond just the context of the show, 'Back to You' has a more profound resonance as a portrayal of Gomez's personal experiences.
'Back to You', which was written by Selena Gomez along with Parrish Warrington, Diederik Van Elsas, Micah Premnath, and Amy Allen, revolves around the central theme of being hopelessly drawn to someone despite your best efforts to move on. Selena's deeply evocative and soulful voice conveys a sense of vulnerability, brimming with emotions. Her lyrics strike a chord as she sings, "No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to think about anyone besides you". The song also taps into the irreplaceable power of a love that remains strong despite the trails of heartbreak.
Interestingly, many fans and critics try to map the song's lyrics onto Gomez's personal life. This is seen through the line, "You could break my heart in two, but when it heals, it beats for you" which fans speculate to be a reference to her on-and-off relationship with Justin Bieber. While Selena has neither confirmed nor denied this, she acknowledges that the lyrics stem from a personal place, making 'Back to You' an even more heartfelt and relatable song.
Musically, 'Back to You' is a pop song with an infectious tune meshed with an acoustic rhythm that brings out an irresistible sing-along quality. It's easy to groove to but it's when you tune into the lyrics that you understand its depth. The song emotionally resonates with listeners, making Selena's work widely relatable and empathetic.
Selena Gomez's 'Back to You' is a perfect embodiment of the visceral and real impact of love and heartbreak that we all experience in our lives. Its narrative ties together beautifully in a lyrical symphony, connecting to its audience on an emotional level. The song reiterates that sometimes love isn't easy or straightforward, and sometimes we don't have the strength to shield ourselves from the ones who have the power to hurt us the most.
In conclusion, 'Back to You' is more than just a pop song; it's a poignant soliloquy about love's trials, tribulations, and enduring power all encapsulated in a melodious tune. Its perception as a chart-topping track and a raw portrayal of sentiments is a testament to Selena Gomez's maturity as a songwriter and artist. It's a song that intelligently captures the hypnotic pull of an old love, making it universally relatable and deeply touching.
