Selfish

Album: Life Support (2020)
Charted: 53 119
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Selfish" is an emotional ballad in which Madison Beer recounts a tale of romantic disentanglement.

    Shouldn't love you, but I couldn't help it
    Had a feeling that you never felt it
    I always knew that you were too damn selfish
    Don't know why I looked the other way


    After months of being hurt, the songstress finally realized her lover is "too damn selfish" for the relationship to work. It hit home that her ex never reciprocated her love, and she now feels betrayed by him.
  • Many fans believe Madison Beer is referencing her toxic relationship with socialite Zack Bia. The pair dated on-and-off between 2017 and 2019. That Beer has described this as her "most-personal" song she has released to date adds further credence to the theory.
  • Madison Beer has previously released several empowering self-love anthems, but this intimate song finds her letting her guard down. She told Radio.com: "I'm so ready to have this vulnerable side of me out in the world. I feel like it's been a long time I've been pushing this narrative of - badass, I hate my ex I'm doing my thing, I'm a cool girl - it's time to wipe that away a little bit and show the real me. The nerdy, sad, lonely girl inside."

    "That's the part to me that I'm so excited to show because I think that a lot of people misjudge me and misunderstand me because of the narrative I've pushed in my music so much," Beer added. "I'm only 20 years old, I'm a very emotional girl, I'm a Pisces so, filled with tears all the time. I just think it's really important to show that side. Especially as an artist."
  • Madison Beer co-wrote and co-produced the song with frequent collaborator Leroy Clampitt, also known as Big Taste. Clampitt's other credits include Justin Bieber's "Company" and Sage the Gemni's "Now and Later."

    The other credited writers of the song are Jeremy Dussoliet, Tim Sommers, Elizabeth Lowell Boland, and Jaramye Daniels.
  • The themes of empowerment and breaking free of restraints run throughout Life Support. Beer told The Sun, "I want young girls to listen to this album and feel empowered - about themselves, about their relationships."

    She added: "With a song like Selfish, I want them to know that it's OK to reminisce and get sad about somebody who treated you poorly."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Danny Kortchmar

Danny KortchmarSongwriter Interviews

Danny played guitar on Sweet Baby James, Tapestry, and Running On Empty. He also co-wrote many hit songs, including "Dirty Laundry," "Sunset Grill" and "Tender Is The Night."

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"

Marc Campbell - "88 Lines About 44 Women"They're Playing My Song

The Nails lead singer Marc Campbell talks about those 44 women he sings about over a stock Casio keyboard track. He's married to one of them now - you might be surprised which.

Gary Louris of The Jayhawks

Gary Louris of The JayhawksSongwriter Interviews

The Jayhawks' song "Big Star" has special meaning to Gary, who explains how longevity and inspiration have trumped adulation.