Rare by Selena Gomez Lyrics Meaning – Unpacking The Anthem of Self-Worth

You can view the lyrics, alternate interprations and sheet music for Selena Gomez's Rare at Lyrics.org.

Lyrics

Baby, you’ve been so distant from me lately
And lately don’t even want to call you “baby”

Saw us getting older
Burning toast in the toaster
My ambitions were too high
Waiting up for you upstairs
Why you act like I’m not there?
Baby, right now it feels like

It feels like you don’t care
Oh, why don’t you recognize I’m so rare?
Always there
You don’t do the same for me
That’s not fair

I don’t have it all
I’m not claiming to
But I know that I’m special, yeah
And I’ll bet there’s somebody else out there
To tell me I’m rare, to make me feel rare

Baby, don’t make me count up all the reasons
To stay with you
No reason why you and I are not succeeding
At all

Saw us getting older
Burning toast in the toaster
My ambitions were too high (too high)
Waiting up for you upstairs
Why you act like I’m not there?
Baby, right now it feels like

It feels like you don’t care
Oh, why don’t you recognize I’m so rare? (I’m so rare)
Always there
You don’t do the same for me
That’s not fair

I don’t have it all
I’m not claiming to
But I know that I’m special, yeah
And I’ll bet there’s somebody else out there
To tell me I’m rare, to make me feel rare (yeah, yeah)

I’m not gonna beg for you
I’m not gonna let you make me cry (make me cry)
Not getting enough from you
Didn’t you know I’m hard to find? (Hard to find)

Saw us getting older
Burning toast in the toaster
My ambitions were too high (too high)
Waiting up for you upstairs
Why you act like I’m not there?
Baby, right now it feels like

It feels like you don’t care (you don’t care)
Why don’t you recognize I’m so rare? (So rare)
I’m always there
You don’t do the same for me
That’s (that’s)
Not (not)
Fair

I don’t have it all (I don’t have it all)
I’m not claiming to (I’m not claiming to)
I know that I’m special, yeah
And I’ll bet there’s somebody else out there
To tell me I’m rare, to make me feel rare
Oh yeah

So rare
(Rare)
(Rare)

Selena Gomez’s ‘Rare’ is a crystalline fusion of self-affirmation, and vulnerability—a deeply personal ballad that equally serves as a universal declaration of self-worth. With its smooth sonic backdrop and candid lyrics, ‘Rare’ insinuates itself into the hearts of listeners, emerging as a quiet yet potent manifesto for the recognition of one’s own uniqueness in the face of indifference or neglect.

The titular track off her 2020 album, ‘Rare’ symbolizes Gomez’s reclamation of confidence and serves as a reflection on reclaiming one’s self-worth after a period of emotional turbulence or in a relationship where one’s inherent value is underappreciated. Below, we decode the layers of meaning and explore key aspects of the track that have made it resonate with fans worldwide.

The Toast of Self-Realization – Burning Ambitions and Personal Awakening

The simple, yet evocative imagery of ‘burning toast in the toaster’ serves as a metaphor for the realization and acknowledgment of Gomez’s own ambitions, which grapple with the neglect she feels from her partner. This slice of domesticity manifests the dichotomy between the mundane and the lofty aspirations that often go unseen, illustrating the poignant contrast between Gomez’s inner world and external realities.

Gomez isn’t just talking about literal aspirations; she’s singing about the burning desire to be seen, appreciated, and admired for who she is—as unique and ‘too high’ as her ambitions may seem to others. The everyday act of waiting, often overlooked, becomes a symbol for the patience and yearning for recognition that defines so much of the human experience.

Discovering the Diamond Within – The Search for External Validation

‘I’ll bet there’s somebody else out there, to tell me I’m rare, to make me feel rare’—through these words, Gomez expresses the universal longing for validation and the pain of its absence. In a world preoccupied with fitting in, the song underscores the significance of being cherished for one’s unique attributes.

While ‘Rare’ is, on the surface, a lament on imbalance in a relationship, at a deeper level it contends with the broader social and internal conflicts around self-identity and validation. Gomez knows her worth but recognizes the pain that comes from it not being affirmed by someone she holds dear.

The Anthem’s Cry for Equality – ‘That’s Not Fair’

The lines ‘Always there, you don’t do the same for me, that’s not fair’ resonate as an anthem for emotional reciprocity in any kind of relationship. Gomez’s iteration of ‘fairness’ isn’t about keeping score but rather a call for mutual respect and acknowledgment, the foundations of any healthy bond.

Equal parts plaintive and assertive, these lyrics delve into the inequity of emotional labor often shouldered by one party in a relationship. Gomez isn’t just asking for fairness; she’s demanding it, marking a turning point in the song, and by extension in her own journey towards self-advocacy.

The Unspoken Power of ‘I’m not gonna beg for you’

The empowerment embedded in the lyrics ‘I’m not gonna beg for you, I’m not gonna let you make me cry’ is monumental. Gomez’s refusal to grovel for attention is not just about personal dignity, but also tantamount to a broader message of self-sufficiency in emotional terms.

Against the stark realization of her own rarity, there’s a clear rebuff to any notion of dependency. This line is central to the song’s message, as Gomez chooses her self-worth over the wrenching struggle for something as fundamental as emotional acknowledgment.

A Journey Through the ‘Rare’ Moments – Memorable Lines to Live By

The song is replete with memorable lines that serve as emotional landmarks. ‘Saw us getting older, burning toast in the toaster’ vividly encapsulates both the passage of time and the gnawing disparity in a relationship. The repeated assertion of being ‘so rare’ doubles as a mantra for anyone who has ever felt overlooked or underestimated.

Gomez’s ‘Rare’ is not just about romantic disillusionment; it’s an ode to self-esteem. It is a soundtrack for those who recognize the emptiness of unreciprocated effort and choose to seek environments where their rareness is not just recognized but celebrated.