“How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten” by Selena Gomez is an immediate hit. Fans everywhere were thrilled over her new releases, especially after months of begging Selena to release music.
This song had its own controversies for sure such as many speculated that this song was about Justin Bieber.
However, while speaking with Blanco in the latest interview, Gomez explained the interpretation of her album was (it) “is going to be up to the audience. However, I would like to say most of this album has nothing to do with what everyone may go to.”.
It seems that Gomez is very firm that not all her songs are related to her notable ex boyfriend.
However, I like to say my two cents to this song. I would say that Selena is talking about many facets of self in this way and perhaps hinting at Justin Bieber.
Hints at Gomez’s relationship with Benny Blanco
[Verse 1: Selena Gomez]
The song starts off with a flirtatious vibe possibly hinting at Benny Blanco relationship. The “ruby red” and “kisses” could refer to Selena’s iconic red lipstick. And coincidentally Selena is often seen wearing red lips around Benny Blanco.
But it sounds off as well. It feels thrilling and dangerous at the same time. It felt off because her relationship with Benny Blanco seems serene. Perhaps, Selena is hinting their passionate relationship through this song.
Addresses her past self in her relationship
Pre-Chorus: Selena Gomez]
And you walked in, big-ass grin
Talkin’ like we’re friends, honey, what were you thinkin’?
Look at you, just look at you now
Selena is then talking to someone else. The internet has exploded thinking it was about Justin Bieber. I don’t entirely agree.
Perhaps she was referring to a past self who was in a relationship with Justin Bieber. It was not a secret that Selena and Justin have gone through rough patches. With the abusive claims exploding from both sides, their relationship was not the healthiest.
Throughout her celebrity career, Selena has suffered from low self esteem and mental health issues. Gomez shared she had low self worth, due to her tumultuous past relationships and family history. (growing up an immigrant single parent family household). I believe it’s the unhealed self that Selena is speaking to here.
After a close reading of her lyrics,it sounds to me Selena is trying to convince her past (hurt) self that she has truly moved on by saying “He loves me, I love him”. To me, it sounded like overcompensation, or desperation to let her past self know that she has healed, and that now she is truly loved right now.
She scoff at her past self stating “talking like we’re friends, what were you thinking”. It looks like the past self still lives within Selena and tries to remind and communicate with Selena. However Selena pushes away that part one self and taunts it instead.
Hints at Gomez’s compartmentalising her pain
[Chorus: Selena Gomez & benny blanco, Selena Gomez]
You’re so embarrassin’
How does it feel to be forgotten (Ah)
How does it feel?
How does it feel to be forgotten?
Selena goes on to taunt her past self. She tells her to hide away in the corner and cry all alone, forgotten in the corner.
Notably she says “I hope one day you heal”. It was interesting because Selena, instead of healing fully, Selena has compartmentalized herself.
She cut off the unhealthy side of her and yet the past self wishes to connect with her very day. Every day it seems Selena taunts herself for feeling that way, calling herself “embarrassing”.
Her past self is the combination of her hurt from relationships, pain and suffering which Selena convinces herself that she has truly healed from. However, the way the current Selena talks about her past self does not seem that way.
The song is honestly beautiful, as it is raw and honest. It sends the message that healing is not linear and sometimes we will struggle. At times, we can cut off ourselves to numb the pain and convince ourselves that we have healed. I hope we can be also honest with ourselves just like Selena, owning our pain and hopefully healing from it.
In the end, we will still make out of the dark tunnel just like Selena has or perhaps not.
