"The Heart Wants What It Wants"
Single by Selena Gomez
from the album For You
ReleasedNovember 6, 2014 (2014-11-06)
Recorded2013
Studio
Genre
Length3:47
LabelHollywood
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Selena Gomez singles chronology
"Slow Down"
(2013)		 "The Heart Wants What It Wants"
(2014)		 "I Want You to Know"
(2015)
Music video
"The Heart Wants What It Wants" on YouTube

"The Heart Wants What It Wants" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez. It was released on November 6, 2014, through Hollywood Records, as the lead and only single from her compilation album For You (2014). The song was written by Gomez, Antonina Armato, David Jost and Tim James.[1][2][3] Armato and James, who collectively form the production duo Rock Mafia, also produced the song. A mid-tempo pop and R&B track with a minimal electropop beat, its accompanying music video was premiered on November 6, 2014, alongside the premiere of the song itself.[4][5] It is Gomez's last single release under the label.[6]

Music critics mostly commended the song's lyrical content, production, vocals, and Gomez's new direction. The song reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It also reached the top ten in Canada, Denmark, Lebanon, and South Africa, as well as the top 40 in thirteen additional countries.

Background and release

Gomez said about the song, "And it's also a step for me knowing like, 'Ok, this is what I'm about to say, and I need to say it when I'm ready' [...] And I think after this year, it's the perfect way to end the year, it's the perfect way to end a chapter in a way. It's like, this is what I'll say about every single person that has judged me for every decision that I've made, for every person, [and] heart that is being judged for something they've done, and now I just want to release it," Gomez stated in an interview with Ryan Seacrest on 102.7 KIIS FM during the world premiere of "The Heart Wants What It Wants."[7] In its first day on radio, the song had a listening audience of 10.061 million.[8]

A demo of the song was recorded by American singer Gwen Stefani under the title "My Heart Wants What It Wants", which leaked online in December 2022.[9]

Composition and lyrical interpretation

"The Heart Wants What It Wants" was written by Selena Gomez, Antonina Armato, David Jost, and Tim James. It is a midtempo pop and R&B song,[10][11] that contains a minimal electropop beat complete with finger snaps, ominous synths and haunting groans.[12] Several critics noted the reminiscence of the song to the works by singers Lorde and Lana Del Rey.[12][13] Lyrically, Gomez details being in love with a bad boy despite knowing he may not be a stand-up guy.[12] She sings, "The bed's getting cold and you're not here / The future that we hold is so unclear / But I'm not alive until you call / And I'll bet the odds against it all... / There's a million reasons why I should give you up / But the heart wants what it wants."[12]

The title is from a letter by Emily Dickinson.[14] The saying was popularized in 2001 when it was quoted by Woody Allen in an interview about his relationship with Soon-Yi Previn.[15]

Critical reception

Lucas Villa of AXS favorably compared "The Heart Wants What it Wants" to the music of Lana Del Rey for Gomez's use of "trip hop beats, guitar and distorted Emile Haynie-styled yelps" alongside her "darkest" lyrics yet. He further wrote that the song "stands as a heartbreaking revelation in her five-year-old songbook, one that's vulnerably beautiful and unapologetically honest."[13] Tim Sendra of AllMusic highlighted the song and praised it by calling it "very adult and real-sounding" and adding that "she acquits herself well here too."[16] Popology Now called this song "emotionally charged."[17] The Huffington Post's Christopher Rosen deemed the song "a fairly good anthem for those going through heartbreak."[18]

Idolator praised the song: "The Rock Mafia-produced gem shows the former teen queen in an entirely new light. There’s a vulnerability we haven’t seen before as Selena sings about the dark side of her very own fairytale with palpable honesty and conviction" and the editor called it the selling point of an album and added that if Selena follows this direction, many hits will be coming for her."[19] The Times of India editor Kasmin Fernandes added that this song shows her in an "entirely new light."[20] Renowned for Sound was also positive: "smooth dose of pop with a second-guessing love storyline."[10] When reviewing single, Music Times concluded: "Emotional song channels Justin Bieber drama but is still stunning on its own."[21]

Accolades

Year Awards Category Result Ref.
2015 Radio Disney Music Awards Best Breakup Song Won [22]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Music – Break-Up Song Nominated [23]

Chart performance

During its first week, "The Heart Wants What It Wants" sold 103,000 digital copies in the United States, which allowed it to debut at number six of Billboard's Digital Songs. These sales gave Gomez her second best debut on the list, after "Who Says" with her band Selena Gomez & the Scene, which debuted with 116,000 copies. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, which combines digital sales with radio and streaming performance, the song debuted at number twenty-five; the best entry of the week. On Billboard's Streaming Songs, it debuted at number thirty-seven for receiving 3.1 million streams in a week.[24] After performing the song at the American Music Awards on November 23, 2014, Gomez received her second top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it reached number six, the same position obtained by "Come & Get It" in May 2013. The week after its release, the song sold 136,000 copies and reached number five on Digital Songs, since it had a 98% increase in downloads compared to the previous week. Simultaneously, it reached the fifth position in Streaming Songs and debuted at number forty-two on Radio Songs. In the latter, the song became Gomez's second top ten, again behind "Come & Get It".[25] In the Pop Songs chart, based on the level of airplay that songs receive on pop radio stations in the United States, "The Heart Wants What It Wants" became Gomez's third top 10 single in her solo career and her third consecutive single making it to the first ten spots on the chart. In late January 2015, the song debuted on the Hot Dance Club Songs chart, marking the most popular songs in the dance clubs of the United States. As of May 2017, the single has sold 1.4 million copies in the United States.[26]

In the Canadian Hot 100, it also achieved the best debut in its first week, at number nine. This made "The Heart Wants What It Wants" Gomez's third top 10 in the country and her second best charting single after "Come & Get It", which peaked at number six, followed by "Love You like a Love Song", which reached the tenth position. Weeks later "The Heart Wants What It Wants" equaled the position of "Come & Get It" in the Canadian Hot 100 chart.

Music video

The music video was filmed in black and white in California and directed by Dawn Shadforth over a year before its release.[27][28] The video received over 9 million views in its first 24 hours. Actor Shiloh Fernandez appears in the music video as Gomez's love interest.[8]

The UK edition of the International Business Times called the video "emotionally charged".[29] Artist Direct wrote that the video contained "a painful, powerful and emotional visual opening."[27]

As of September 2023, the video has accrued over 840 million views.

Live performance

Gomez performed the single for the first time at the 2014 American Music Awards.[30] In her presentation, Gomez wore a skin-colored dress, and the background consisted of images as dark lights, thorns, roses, broken glass and wings appeared behind her on the screen. At the end of her performance, the singer added the phrase "I thought you were the one...".

Caitlin White from MTV described the visuals as "amazing" and said: "It is a more mature song for Selena, but one that almost everyone in the audience could relate, given the intense and emotional response public."[31] The Wrap's Matt Donnelly wrote that it was "a considerable growth moment" for the singer.[32] Casey Rackham of Zap2it called the performance "beautifully and emotionally intense." She commented that the use of wings was "pretty empowering."[33] After her presentation at the American Music Awards, the song went to number one on the Billboard Twitter Real-Time, position it had occupied in its release.

An instrumental version of the song was used as an interlude on the Revival Tour in 2016.

Track listings

  • Digital download[34]
  1. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" – 3:47
  • Digital download – remixes
  1. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (DJ Kue Remix) – 4:34
  2. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (DJ Kue Alternate Remix) – 4:28
  3. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (Cosmic Dawn Club Mix) – 6:57
  4. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (Cosmic Dawn Remix Edit) – 4:32
  5. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (Cosmic Dawn Club Mix) [Instrumental] – 6:57
  6. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (Ruff Loaderz Remix) – 5:19
  7. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (Ruff Loaderz Radio Remix) – 3:35
  8. "The Heart Wants What It Wants" (Ultimix by Mark Roberts) – 5:49

Credits and personnel

Recording and management

  • Recorded, Engineered and Mixed at Rock Mafia Studios (Santa Monica, California)
  • Mastered at Sterling Sound (New York City)
  • Good Fellowship Publishing (ASCAP) administered by Seven Peaks Music (ASCAP); Downtown DLJ Songs obo Antonina Songs (ASCAP); David Jost Music Publishing (GEMA); Downtown DMP Songs obo Akashic Field Music (BMI)

Personnel

  • Selena Gomez – vocals, songwriting
  • Antonina Armato – songwriting; production, mixing (as part of Rock Mafia)
  • David Jost – songwriting
  • Tim James – songwriting; production, mixing (as part of Rock Mafia)
  • Devrim Karaoglu – additional production
  • Steve Hammons – additional production, engineering, mix engineering
  • Dubkiller – additional production
  • Jon Vella – additional production
  • Xander Singh – additional production
  • Ace Ha – additional production
  • Adam Comstock – engineering
  • Rami Jaffee – vibraphone, mellotron
  • Chris Gehringer – mastering

Credits adapted from For You liner notes.[35]

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada)[78] Platinum 80,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[79] Platinum 90,000‡
Italy (FIMI)[80] Gold 25,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[81] 4× Platinum 240,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[82] Gold 20,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[83] Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[84] 4× Platinum 4,000,000‡

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ↑ Rockmafia, Page (November 7, 2014). "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants (MUSIC VIDEO)". rockmafia. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  2. ↑ Mackinley, Page (November 3, 2014). "Selena Gomez's 'For You' Album Tracklist Leaks: 'Stars Dance' Gets Dubkiller Remix". Inquisitr.
  3. ↑ "The Heart Wants What it Wants" – Selena Gomez – Sheet Music. Downtown Music Publishing, Good Fellowship Publishing, Downtown DLJ Songs, Antonina Songs, Downtown DMP Songs, Mafia Della Roccia and Akashic Field Music. 2014. ISBN 978-1-4950-0875-7. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  4. ↑ Boardman, Madeline (November 6, 2014). "Selena Gomez Cries in Emotional "The Heart Wants What It Wants" Video". Us Weekly.
  5. ↑ Byrne, Suzy (November 6, 2014). "Selena Gomez Debuts 'The Heart Wants What It Wants,' an Apparent Ode to Justin Bieber". Yahoo Music.
  6. ↑ Wass, Mike (December 4, 2014). "Selena Gomez's "The Heart Wants What It Wants" Gets A Batch Of Official Dance Remixes: Listen To Them All". Idolator. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  7. ↑ Inocencio, Marc (November 6, 2014). "Selena Gomez Talks New Single and Justin Bieber: 'I'm Upset When He's Upset'". RyanSeacrest.com.
  8. 1 2 Mackinley, Page (November 7, 2014). "Selena Gomez's 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' Impacts Big At Radio & YouTube". Inquisitir.
  9. ↑ Deville, Chris. "Hear Gwen Stefani's Unreleased Version of Selena Gomez's "The Heart Wants What It Wants"". Stereogum. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  10. 1 2 Review by Renowned for Sound Retrieved 29 December 2014
  11. ↑ Bill Lamb. "Selena Gomez – "The Heart Wants What It Wants"". About.com. Archived from the original on October 7, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 4 ""The Heart Wants What It Wants": Is Selena Gomez Singing, Crying About Justin Bieber in New Single? – Fuse". Fuse. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  13. 1 2 Villa, Lucas (November 10, 2014). "Review: Selena Gomez has a Lana Del Rey moment on 'Heart Wants What it Wants'". AXS.
  14. ↑ "Dickinson/M. Bowles Correspondence spring 1862 (letter 262)".
  15. ↑ "The Heart Wants What It Wants". Time. June 24, 2001.
  16. ↑ Review by AllMusic Retrieved 20 December 2014
  17. ↑ Review by Popology Now Retrieved 29 December 2014
  18. ↑ Rosen, Christopher (November 6, 2014). "Selena Gomez's Emotional New Video Addresses Justin Bieber Relationship". The Huffington Post. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  19. ↑ Review by Idolator Retrieved 29 December 2014
  20. ↑ Review by The Times Of India Retrieved 29 December 2014
  21. ↑ Review by Music Times Retrieved 29 December 2014
  22. ↑ "2015 Radio Disney Music Awards". Billboard. April 25, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  23. ↑ Garofalo, Alex (August 14, 2015). "Teen Choice Awards 2015: The Complete Nominations Refresher List Before The Aug. 16 Show On Fox [VIDEO]". International Business Times. Retrieved August 4, 2016.
  24. ↑ Trust, Gary (November 14, 2014). "Hot 100 Chart Moves: Selena Gomez's 'Heart' Starts at No. 25". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  25. ↑ Trust, Gary (December 3, 2014). "Taylor Swift No. 1 on Hot 100, Selena Gomez, Mark Ronson Hit Top 10". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  26. ↑ Trust, Gary (May 14, 2017). "Ask Billboard: Selena Gomez's Career Album & Song Sales". Billboard. Retrieved May 15, 2017.
  27. 1 2 "Selena Gomez Cries In New Video for "The Heart Wants What It Wants," About Justin Bieber". Artist Direct. November 7, 2014. Archived from the original on March 2, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Watch Selena Gomez Break Down in New 'Heart Wants What It Wants' Music Video". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  29. ↑ Maharana, Kabita (November 7, 2014). "Selena Gomez's New Song 'The Heart Wants What it Wants' About Justin Bieber? Fans Tweet Emotionally for the Songstress". International Business Times (UK Edition). Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  30. ↑ "American Music Awards: Selena Gomez, Garth Brooks, Imagine Dragons to Perform". Hollywood Reporter. November 6, 2014.
  31. ↑ White, Caitlin (November 23, 2015). "Selena Gomez's Tearful, Emotional Performance Of 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' Will Leave You Sobbing". MTV. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  32. ↑ Donnelly, Matt (November 23, 2014). "Selena Gomez Delivers Emotional AMA Performance With 'The Heart Wants What It Wants' (Video)". The Wrap. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  33. ↑ Rackham, Casey (November 23, 2014). "elena Gomez takes AMAs to an emotional place with 'The Heart Wants What It Wants'". Zap2it. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  34. ↑ "iTunes – Music – For You by Selena Gomez". United States: iTunes Store. November 24, 2014.
  35. ↑ For You liner notes [CD] Hollywood Records (2014).
  36. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  40. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  41. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  42. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  43. ↑ Selena Gomez — The Heart Wants What It Wants. TopHit. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  44. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – RADIO – TOP 100 and insert 201449 into search. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  45. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Change the chart to CZ – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100 and insert 201449 into search. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". Tracklisten. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  47. ↑ "Selena Gomez: The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  48. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  49. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
  50. ↑ "Selena Gomez Album & Chart History". Billboard Greece Digital Songs for Selena Gomez. Retrieved November 13, 2014.
  51. ↑ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista. Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  52. ↑ "Chart Track: Week 49, 2014". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  53. ↑ "Top Digital – Classifica settimanale WK 48 (dal 2014-11-24 al 2014-11-30)". Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  54. ↑ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 – Selena Gomez". The official lebanese Top 20. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  56. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved December 5, 2014.
  58. ↑ "Selana Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". VG-lista. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  59. ↑ "Airplay 100 – 1 februarie 2015" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. February 1, 2015. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  60. ↑ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  61. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201449 into search. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  62. ↑ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 201449 into search. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  63. ↑ "EMA Top 10 Airplay: Week Ending 2015-02-10". Entertainment Monitoring Africa. Retrieved September 16, 2015.
  64. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  65. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". Singles Top 100. Retrieved November 27, 2014.
  66. ↑ "Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  67. ↑ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company.
  68. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved November 14, 2014.
  69. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Adult Contemporary)". Billboard. Retrieved February 12, 2015.
  70. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  71. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved January 19, 2014.
  72. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 5, 2015.
  73. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  74. ↑ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
  75. ↑ "Best of 2015: Canadian Hot 100". Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  76. ↑ "Hot 100 Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  77. ↑ "Pop Songs Year End 2015". Billboard. Prometheus Media Group. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  78. ↑ "Canadian single certifications – Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". Music Canada. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  79. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  80. ↑ "Italian single certifications – Selena Gomez – The heart wants what it wants" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 14, 2019. Select "2019" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Select "The heart wants what it wants" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  81. ↑ "Norwegian single certifications – Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  82. ↑ "Sverigetopplistan – Selena Gomez" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
  83. ↑ "British single certifications – Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  84. ↑ "American single certifications – Selena Gomez – The Heart Wants What It Wants". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 22, 2023.
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