I Said I Love You First by Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco // Album Review
I Said I Love You First is Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's first joint collaborative record, which depicts an intimate and heartfelt portrait of every stage of their relationship thus far. From both of their perspectives, both Selena and Benny share so much of their love, life, and the journey they each took to get where they are now.
Long before they were ever in a relationship, they have collaborated several times before on some of the biggest hits of Selena's career. Their first song together was the iconic "Same Old Love" in 2015, as well as a few other songs on Revival that year. They also collaborated on "I Can't Get Enough" featuring Tainy and J Balvin, which is featured on this album six years after its release in 2019. It now serves as such a symbolic piece of their love story. Most recently, Selena and Benny collaborated on a standalone single called "Single Soon" in 2023, as well. They ended up dating soon after they made that song and were recently engaged in late 2024. A full-length collaborative project between Selena and Benny has been a long time coming and it couldn't have come at a better time for both of them.
Coming from someone that has been a massive fan of Selena for basically my entire life at this point, I can absolutely say this is the best she has ever sounded. It is also the best work Benny has ever produced as well, which is really saying something because he has been a part of basically every single one of the biggest pop songs of the past fifteen years. That's not an exaggeration either, Benny has an incredible track record as a producer - if you can name any hit song from the 2010's, the chances are he more than likely played a part in the creation of it.
The element that shines through most of all in this music is just how strong their artistic chemistry is. It is so clear that Benny knows exactly what works best for Selena as an artist and helped create the strongest and most confident body of work she has ever released. The deep understanding he clearly has for her as an artist allows her to shine in the most personal and authentic way. "He listened to me," Selena told Interview Magazine. "Whether we were together or not, I think he still would've listened to everything that I had to say, and he was able to almost transcribe it into music, into what the feeling of what I was talking about should be."
Its so clear that so much love and attention went into making every single second of every single song perfect. I Said I Love You First is heartfelt, honest and shows so much personal growth from where she left off back in 2020 on Rare. I wasn't expecting Selena to be returning to music anytime soon as she seemingly has taken a step back over the past few years to focus on other creative ventures, so the announcement of this album definitely came as a very welcome surprise. In many interviews in support of this record, Selena opened up about how she once felt unsure of what her future in music looked like. Benny also hasn't released a solo album since his 2018 debut, Friends Keeps Secrets, so they were both at a crossroads as to what comes next for them in their respective music careers. By that time, she and Benny were together, and he suggested the idea of a joint record. They ended up making it with some of their friends and collaborators within a span of only a few months in their home recording studio. It is so clear how much they both seem to have gotten their spark back for making music with this album.
"We were both in such a space where we were just like, 'What are we doing? We've said everything we wanted to,'" Benny said in an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music. "We've been fortunate enough to have these careers that have lasted so long. This was kind of just an idea that started in our bedroom, and it was like, oh, let's just make something fun. And then, it actually was really good."
Through its songs, Selena and Benny invite listeners to look through a keyhole into their love story, which is beautifully symbolized with the cover of the album. This music is an intimate portrait of their journey together. From the emotional weight of Selena's past relationships to finding the inner strength to move on from that immense heartache, this album beautifully captures her own personal evolution. It chronicles how she opened herself up to love again and the origins of her relationship with Benny and the life they've built together.
It's also very clear that Selena and Benny have paid close attention to what fans have been craving with her music. That is best exemplified by the album's sonic direction taking inspiration from the darker, moodier soundscape that made fan favorites like "Fetish" and the unreleased track "Stained" so beloved. This era feels like a continuation and evolution of that style, delivering the hauntingly beautiful tones and layered production that fans have been anticipating.
The album opens with the title track, which features an emotional speech Selena delivered on her last day of filming Wizards of Waverly Place in 2012. At just nineteen years old, Selena tearfully thanks the cast and crew for being her family as she navigated growing up away from home. Her heartfelt words, layered over Finneas' haunting piano instrumentals, never fail to give me chills. For many, Wizards of Waverly Place was where they first discovered Selena, and this moment holds deep meaning for her and everyone that has followed her journey all that time. It's a poignant reminder of how far she's come while staying true to the person she was then, despite everything she has endured.
In the speech, she says, "I have this launch pad that you've all given me because now I can do so many wonderful things because of this. You've helped me grow up and watched me grow up, and I really hope that I won't let you down with everything else that I do. So thank you for being a part of my life and the beginning of something I hope lasts a long time." Listening to it now, it's clear she's delivered on that promise.
Selena reflected on that important time in her life and the decision to make this the opening title track for I Said I Love You First in a commentary for the album. She said, "It was the best time of my life and that was a promise I had made to my cast and crew that I'd dream and hope that I would make them proud one day".
Following the intro, the album transitions beautifully into the hauntingly emotional track "Younger And Hotter Than Me", a vivid reflection of Selena's time as a child star. Selena and Benny collaborated with Finneas once again on this track, as well as a few others on the album. They have each worked with him many times before, but this marks the first time all three of them have collaborated together. The overall lyrical tone feels so reminiscent of Finneas' distinct signature style, which works so well for this song.
"Benny came in and said, 'Oh, I heard this song on TikTok that I'm inspired by,'" Finneas recalled in an episode of Mix With The Masters. "He played it for me, and I was like, 'Oh, I did that!'" he added, referencing the piano tag from his and Billie Eilish's 2018 cover of Drake's "Hotline Bling". "Because TikTok is the way it is, the piano tag blew up," he explained. Billie posted their waltzy, piano rendition of the song on SoundCloud in 2018 and was later a part of a limited-edition Record Store Day vinyl soon after, but this deep cut track has randomly seen a resurgence in the years since.
This track offers a fascinating and introspective look back at Selena's experience with childhood stardom. It's framed through the lens of an adult now far removed from that world, yet still grappling with the mental repercussions of growing up in an environment like that. It is also an interesting look at her experience in Hollywood for all of these years too, and the way women are often perceived as they grow older, commonly facing pressures of being replaced by someone newer and better. Although Selena has had a very singular experience as one of the most famous women in the world since she was a teenager, these feelings are often representative of the universal female experience too. This theme resonates deeply in regards to both her experiences in the entertainment industry and in relationships.
"All of the girls at this party are younger and hotter than me, and I hate what I wore, but I hate myself more," Selena sings, "For thinkin' you were different, wish I never loved you, we're not gettin' any younger, but your girlfriends seem to". The lyricism is so sharp, she really doesn't hold back at all in telling her story completely unfiltered. This song also features one of the best vocal performances of Selena's entire career, she sounds so angelic. The sentiment behind this song reminds me so much of "Nothing New" by Taylor Swift and Phoebe Bridgers, which also captures a similar poignant reflection on growing older, insecurity, and self-worth in the context of their fame. "And someone else lights up the room, people love an ingénue," is a lyric from that song that feels particularly rooted in the message of Selena's "Younger And Hotter Than Me". Both tracks offer a unique commentary on Hollywood's culture as a whole, where youth is often idolized.
"'Younger and Hotter' is a song that felt very appropriate to me being in the industry and always knowing there's something shinier or better out there that people want. Sometimes you can lose yourself in that, and I think my only tip would be that there's no one in the world like the person that's reading this right now," Selena told Interview Magazine. "And that's what has gotten me through everything. I wish I was kinder to myself and I wish that I had been more confident in the fact that I am capable and I am worthy of all these things that are coming into my life, no matter what my background is."
The second track, "Call Me When You Break Up" lightens up the heavy intro with a dreamy pop masterpiece featuring Gracie Abrams. A collaboration between her and Selena was so unexpected at first but really does make perfect sense as they complement each other's strengths flawlessly. On the vinyl pressing, there is an unreleased solo version of the song with just Selena's vocals, which is great too, but Gracie adds so much more depth to this track. She has also worked with Benny years ago on some of her early music and I love hearing them collaborating again on such a great song.
Selena and Gracie each sing about how they're navigating heartbreak and hope for a relationship to be rekindled someday, framing the song as a voicemail to the person they most want to hear from. "Won't you call me when you break up? I feel so outta luck, I'm skippin' cracks along the pavement," Gracie sings on her verse. "Look, I'm emotionally bankrupt, we're so meant for each other, I mean, God, when will you wake up, wake up?"
Selena explained in the album commentary that the song was inspired by one of her friends, "...someone can be in a relationship, and you lose that friendship sometimes, so you want that back." The message of the song can really be interpreted in so many different ways, whether about a friend, an ex, or whatever situation it may apply to. I personally interpret the song as being written from Benny's perspective, which aligns with the album's intent to tell both sides of their relationship journey. The final lines especially stand out as being written from that perspective, "Call me when you break up, unless you found the person that you want a new name from," Selena sings in the last verse. "I'd like to be there when that day comes, you know I'm always here, so don't ever be a stranger".
"Ojos Tristes" is such a stunning moment on this album. The track is largely a modern reimagination of Spanish singer Jeanette's beloved 1981 song "El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes," or "The Boy With The Sad Eyes." The chorus is directly interpolated from the original song, which in English translates to, "The boy with sad eyes lives alone and needs love, like the air, he needs to see me, like the sun, I need him".
The MarĂas are featured on this gorgeous song, adding another unexpected but incredible collaboration to the album. The band's lead singer, MarĂa Zardoya, delivers an unforgettable performance, taking the lead on the second verse and chorus with her ethereal voice. Her soft, breathy vocals complement Selena's beautifully, much like Selena and Gracie Abrams' harmonies on the previous track.
"Benny and I went on a date to go see The MarĂas, and it was outside, it was beautiful, and I was just mesmerized," Selena shared in the album's commentary. "He introduced me to a whole new artist, and what she does is just beautiful." Latin influences run throughout much of the album, creating a special and cohesive sonic throughline. Selena has even expressed her desire to include a Spanish-language song on every album she releases moving forward, which is a beautiful homage to her heritage.
Narratively, this song serves as a major breakthrough moment of the album as Selena emotionally prepares to say goodbye to someone she loves, the boy with the sad eyes, with the hope that she can find another love again one day. It has a really melancholic tone to it, as she and MarĂa sing this beautiful ode to love's ability to both comfort and hurt simultaneously.
"Don't Wanna Cry" also draws a strong influence from the 1980's, this time with a more disco pop influence infused with Selena's classic sound. I love hearing her return to this style in a more evolved way now. The production is so lush and again, Selena's vocals sound beautiful and she shines brighter than ever on this song. Selena lays all of her emotions out in this song, "I should cause a scene for shit you've done to me, the saddest part is we both know that I would never leave," she sings in the chorus. "You know how it goes, everybody knows, I'm just another hand you hold". After grappling with confliction and heartache, she introspectively shifts the song's tone with the line, "Maybe I'm the one to blame."
The bridge is an especially empowering moment of the song, "One day, you're gonna wake up, all that is left is my pillow and makeup, saying "c'est la vie" 'cause, baby, the game's up, now I found another hand to hold". When she says the final lines, it's like she's finally releasing all of the emotions that have been holding her back all this time, like a weight has been lifted off her shoulders, allowing her to finally leave this toxic relationship she kept going back to for so long. Those words are delivered with so much strength and conviction, representing such a cathartic moment for her in this song.
"I know that feeling when you felt tied up and you just wanna be free of something that may not be right, but I'm really, really happy because this song is like a therapeutic way of letting that go," Selena said in the album's commentary.
After all the sadness and yearning that define so much of the first half of I Said I Love You First, "Don't Wanna Cry" marks a turning point. It provides a moment of clarity that allows Selena to finally let go of the past and close that chapter of her life forever. With this emotional breakthrough, the second half of the album shifts in tone, shining a light on the early stages of her relationship with Benny and finding a love she deserves. This part of the record signifies something new and beautiful, radiating so much love and warmth.
"Sunset Blvd" is a particularly special moment on the album. It's a song about a place that holds deep meaning for Selena and Benny, as it's where they went on their first date and where their love story officially began. Selena recalled in the album's commentary that the date was "just one of those nights that changed my life and, and I'll always be grateful for it". This song captures the magic of that time with a really fun and euphoric energy, reflecting the excitement and bliss of falling in love. "It's just bliss, nothing can take you out, nothing can stop you," Benny described the feeling that inspired the song in an interview with Spotify. It gives the feeling of "...just like spinning around...in the best phase of puppy love". The production is so dreamy and creates a feeling of pure joy in a way like no other.
Lyrically it's also just so much fun and so wild. It has an obvious explicit interpretation but also intertwines the cheekiness and innuendos with the heartfelt moments. The pre-chorus alone is just really so playful and lighthearted, "I can't wait to hold it, to hold that big, big, hard, heart!"
"It was us in the room laughing, being like, can we really get away with it? Is this really something we're gonna do?" Benny told Rolling Stone about the creation of this song. "That's when the best moments come out. A lot of artists won't do stuff like that. And Selena has the perfect way of dipping her toe in the water of, like, almost too far, but not - but, like, is it?"
Ready to step into the next chapter of her life, Selena uses this track, and much of the second half of the album, to reflect on the love and happiness she has found. It's about closing the book on everything that came before and fully embracing the possibilities of the present and future.
From that point, the album continues to take a sultry turn with "Cowboy". It is so bold and so inherently sensual in a way that feels very reminiscent of some of Selena's work on Revival over a decade ago. I love hearing her return to this sound because she embodies this attitude and energy so well. "Cowboy is my version of 'Good For You', but now," Selena said in a joint Spotify interview with Benny. "I don't like to share it a lot, but I'm a very sensual person and I love love and sometimes I put that into words and I can feel sexy and I love that feeling."
"I feel like its back to a sound that you kind of created," Benny responded, "You kind of created this kind of whisper pop melancholy type of thing...and I feel like its a cool nod back to where you came from." While the references to Selena's past work is definitely so evident, I also hear so much of Lana Del Rey's influence all over this track too, which is a feeling that resonates throughout this track and several other moments on the second half of the album.
"Bluest Flame" is another standout track on I Said I Love You First, which further brings the listener to such an experimental and unexpected place with the music. They co-wrote the song with Charli xcx, whose influence on this track is absolutely unmistakable from the moment it begins. The wild, abrasive electronic vibe is so Charli in a way that especially feels closely linked to her 2020 how i'm feeling now quarantine album, particularly a track like "claws". "Charli has this way of having a hypnotic kind of like really crazy cool feeling and that's what I feel like this song was, it's like a fever dream," Benny said in an interview with Spotify.
This collaboration with Charli serves as a very full-circle moment for Selena and Benny, as the very first song they ever collaborated on over a decade ago, "Same Old Love", was co-written with her as well. She is such a prolific songwriter for not only her own music, but for countless other artists' biggest hits through the years as well. This is such a special song to include on this album that truly brings the energy to new heights. "It's one of those songs where you immediately feel like you're in a basement, the walls are sweating, it's 4:30 in the morning, somehow you're kind of sad but you're happy, it's euphoric," Benny said in an interview with Spotify. He later added, "We wanted to have the first half of it be this sweet euphoric, almost melancholy tone and then all of a sudden it switches and you’re like, 'Oh, where's my drink? I'm in the club.'"
"How Does It Feel To Be Forgotten" is another striking departure from the previous song, reflecting a recurring theme throughout the album: to expect the unexpected. It once again echoes a sound and style reminiscent of Lana Del Rey's earlier work, particularly a song like "Video Games".
Unapologetic and unflinchingly honest, this track sees Selena confronting the emotional toll of moving on from someone who inflicted long-lasting pain. The first verse sets the tone with the impactful lines, "And you walked in, big-ass grin, talkin' like we're friends, honey, what were you thinkin'? He loves me, I love him, look at you, just look at you now." Selena's candid delivery captures the awkwardness and aftermath of a failed relationship with bold authenticity. She doesn't hold back at all and this song is such a bold and honest reflection of the heartache she has been put through and has now been able to find solace in years later. Amidst the raw honesty and straightforward message conveyed in the song, she offers a glimmer of empathy toward the other party, adding, "I hope one day you heal," reflecting her own path to emotional recovery. The song's direct and pointed nature invites various interpretations, which lyrically makes it so compelling within this album.
The song ends with a spoken word passage from Selena in Spanish, which translates to "Now everything is said and done, everything is forgotten", which perfectly transitions into "You Said You Were Sorry". Before that though, there is a cute little interlude between called "Do You Wanna Be Perfect" narrated by Benny. It's presented in the style of a whimsical radio commercial as he says, "Hi! Do you wanna be perfect? Do you wanna be sexy? Do you wanna live up to completely unrealistic standards set by the current landscape of social media? Oh, wow! Do we have the product for you!" Selena interrupts and says, "No more of the unrealistic standards of perfect It's so boring, actually, just be exactly who you are, there's literally no one like you".
"You Said You Were Sorry" offers a poignant sense of final closure, with Selena reflecting on growth, healing, and the passage of time. "Don't think about you, happy without you, more now than I ever was" highlight her transformation and emotional independence. Selena revealed that the inspiration for the song came from a vivid dream she once had. In the chorus, she sings, "But I had a dream, you said you were sorry, said you were sorry, sorry for everything that you put on me, that you put on me, our eyes were bawling rain, we finally both forgave, I had a dream, that's all it was, that was enough for me". The lyrics encapsulate the surreal, yet healing, experience of finding resolution, even if it wasn't in the way you once hoped it would happen.
It is so beautiful how this album showcases so much of Selena's evolution, both artistically and personally. This song especially feels like the final stage of healing she needed to go through to fully move on from her past. It's a testament to her growth and acceptance, signaling an emotional resolution not just in the narrative of the album but also in her own journey. The production adds an emotional depth with faint audio of Selena crying in the background during the outro, amplifying the raw vulnerability of the track. Again, the song's dreamy, grand, atmospheric production draws strong comparisons to Lana Del Rey's early work. A song like "Blue Jeans" was clearly an influence on this song, as it shares a similar reflective and cinematic quality to the production.
Selena elaborated more on the dream that inspired "You Said You Were Sorry" in the album's commentary, "This song was actually from a dream that I had. I woke up from this wild dream, and I dream very vividly, so I see colors, I see faces, I see everything. Benny and I woke up one morning, and I told him about my dream. It was just more about a conflicted issue that I felt needed to be resolved, and then, in reality, I realized sometimes you don't need it to be. Sometimes being who you are and moving forward is the best option for you. But I love the fact that we were able to take it to a dream world."
Although Selena and Benny have known each other for over a decade and have collaborated several times throughout the years, their bond deepened during the creation of their 2019 song "I Can't Get Enough". This track now stands as a special marker of their artistic partnership and love, serving as a beautiful foreshadowing of the deep connection and life they would later share together. Initially, I was unsure how well this song would fit into the rest of I Said I Love You First, especially considering it was released over six years ago and how different it was compared to the album's other singles. When I listened to the rest of the album, its inclusion felt absolutely perfect.
"I understand people have heard it, but this is kind of, to me, a reflection of when Benny and I were just becoming friends really...it was so much fun," Selena added in the album's commentary. "So, of course, I wanted to put it on the album that I, you know, made with the love of my life." I can't stress enough how seamlessly it ties into the album's narrative and emotional journey. I love that it has grown to hold an even greater meaning in the years since its initial release.
All of the joy and passion of this album are brought to the forefront on "I Can't Get Enough". Selena sings on the bridge, "Ooh, and no one's gotta know, we can keep it lowkey. I'll be fine alone, long as you're alone with me." The song's infectious and fun Latin influence shines throughout, making it a classic in both Selena's and Benny's respective discographies. Co-produced by Tainy and featuring J Balvin, the track brings such a distinct energy and added dimension to the record and their love story.
The vibe switches up again with the lyrically sharp "Don't Take It Personally." Selena opens the song with bold and honest lines, "I know the two of you used to talk like every day, and ever since I came around, it hasn't been the same. You probably got a dartboard with my face right in the middle. He sleeps in my bed, I met his parents, it's official."
The track explores the idea of addressing a current partner's ex, reassuring them that while their relationship didn't work out, they are bound to find someone better for them. It carries lyrical ambiguity, leaving room for various interpretations, which is what makes this another really captivating piece of this record. I view it as offering perspective from both sides of the relationship, each speaking to their respective exes about moving forward in new relationships.
Selena sings in the chorus, "Please don't take it personally, some things are just meant to be, don't waste all your energy, we both know that he loves me. Oh, honey, you deserve it, I know you're gonna find somebody perfect, pleasе don't take it personally, some things arе just meant to be." The mix of empathy and compassion with subtle condescension makes such an interesting duality.
A new layer of complexity is added to the track when Selena reveals in the album's commentary that these words were actually once said to her during a past conversation. She explained, "So this song is another song that actually, we kind of put together in a way where it was actually told to me. So this is actually me in an experience...of someone maybe in my past that, you know...had gone through whatever they needed to go through to get through life. And um...this is odd to say but, yes, I'm the person that it happened to." From that perspective, the tone of the song completely shifts from self-assured confidence into something with more of a layer of sadness and vulnerability.
Narratively, this song beautifully captures the interplay between the past and present versions of herself. She reflects on her experience as the recipient of this conversation, while her present self metaphorically echoes these sentiments to another, now that she has found true love herself. The way she sings "forever and ever" at the end gives me chills every time I hear it. The song is a stunning exploration of how time can heal all wounds and how destiny unfolds in its own time.
The final song on the album is such a special and intimate moment to close out this record. "Scared of Loving You" was the first song surprise released alongside the announcement of this joint album, which stands out with its simplicity. In contrast to the album's diverse styles and sounds, this minimalistic track serves as both a poignant introduction and a meaningful conclusion to the cohesive body of work.
"Scared Of Loving You" symbolically bookends the "Younger And Hotter Than Me" arc introduced in the album's opening. They mirror some of the same feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, but also the evolution of their personal growth and vulnerability. Both songs are also co-written and produced by Finneas, who has his undeniable mark on each.
The song captures the vulnerability of falling in love but also fearing that the past is going to repeat itself. It has the same unflinching honesty that is present throughout so much of the record. "'Cause I'm not scared of lovin' you, I'm just scared of losin' you," Selena sings in the chorus. "I'm not scared of anyone or dying young, or if you're gonna find somebody new, 'cause how could they love you as much as I do?"
This beautiful and charming ballad is a vow of unwavering support and love through the good times and the bad. "If I lose my shit, promise not to laugh, if I throw a fit and get photographed would you take my side? Would you hold my hand?" she sings in the second verse.
"You're giving yourself to someone, you're fucking petrified because you're finally in a place where you're gonna be with them and you're like, 'Fuck, I don't wanna fully lose myself in this because I'm scared, I'm gonna get hurt again and I'm scared this person is gonna leave me at some point,'" Benny said in an interview with Spotify. He called it a song where you just let "...all of your insecurities pop out". It serves as such a stunning and delicate conclusion.
I Said I Love You First takes the listener on such a journey from start to finish in a way that represents so much of their past, present and future all at once. Every song draws from different moments in their lives and different sonic directions, but it all finds itself back to this really central place that creates such a cohesive and strong body of work. "There's a little mania going throughout it because it's going through all of the different shades of a human and the range of motion," Benny said in an interview with Spotify. "It all meets together at the end where it's just like, love is the thing that is going to be the glue and bring us back together."
It's really so special to witness the magic of Selena and Benny's work together and I know that this is still just the beginning of a lifetime of collaborative projects to come! "More so than anything else in the world, this isn't an album where I had any expectation because it's something we got to do together that was for us. As a byproduct of who we both are, other people get to listen to this album and that's really cool and I hope it inspires people to feel a certain way about themselves and their partners," Benny continued in his interview with Spotify. "All in all, the best part about it was just being able to spend time and make something that I love with the person I love."
Thanks for reading! I'd love for you to check out more of my reviews of Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's music here and linked below. If you're interested in reading more, read my recent 5 year anniversary review of Selena's album Rare. Many more are coming soon! ☆
Photo Credit: Selena Gomez, Benny Blanco, Interscope Records, Petra Collins
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