Folks, Demi Lovato is officially back in the game and more badass than ever. After taking a break from making music for around two years, the pop singer returned at the beginning of this year with the powerful “Anyone,” a song written just before her overdose, which she beautifully performed at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. And yesterday, she released a brand new single and a music video to match titled “I Love Me.” Suffice to say, it’s the self-love ballad we all needed.
With a visually stunning video set in New York City and featuring Lovato in the hottest red coat we’ve ever seen, the song discusses feelings of self-doubt and deprecation that many people can likely relate to. “'Cause I'm a black belt when I'm beating up on myself / But I'm an expert at giving love to somebody else / I, me, myself and I don't see eye to eye / Me, myself and I,” she sings in the pre-chorus. The catchy chorus is enough to make anyone want to get up and dance, raise their hands in the air, and scream out the lyrics about the importance of loving oneself with the simple yet powerful refrain, “I wonder when ‘I love me’ is enough.” By the end of the video, Lovato reminds herself and whoever is listening that as much as you might be your own worst critic, it’s important to never forget that you’re a 10/10.
With over 2 million views on YouTube within just the first 13 hours of its release, many people have been dissecting the video to find hidden messages that give more insight into the power of the song. People have spotted references to Lovato's younger self, Camp Rock and the Jonas Brothers, her overdose, and her past relationship to Wilmer Valderrama. While Lovato walks past all of these scenes, she is not looking at them with contempt. In fact, she only moves forward, and the video culminates with a crowd of back-up dancers joining her on the street to belt out lyrics of self-worth one last time. The (now, two) songs from what we can only hope will be a brand-new album pair incredibly well together. Although the beats and overall vibes of the singles could not be more different, they both encapsulate portions of Lovato’s road to recovery and self-love, all while perfectly describing the human experience.
Hidden messages and references that Demi Lovato made in the #ILoveMe music video?, a thread: pic.twitter.com/mUgUsbphvu
— ??? ✨ (@smokeandlovato_) March 6, 2020
The song has been well-recieved by critics across the music industry, and Lovatics painted the Internet with messages of love and pride for the new single, proving once again how empowering her music is for listeners of all ages.
from “tell me you love me” to “i love me”, this is a real glow up! demi lovato, queen of self love is here to save the music industry #ILoveMe pic.twitter.com/JYF6XzKBi0
— alessandra (@demetriartista) March 6, 2020
You got through it all, and I know it was not easy but you won..you won it all. We couldn’t be more proud of you. #ILoveMe @ddlovato pic.twitter.com/nrJDsVUSdI
— Vivi (@demidlove) March 6, 2020
DEMI LOVATO IS BACK AND BETTER THAN EVER #iloveme pic.twitter.com/DB6sTOcB8i
— jaaz (@adoreyamuch) March 6, 2020ADVERTISEMENT
“I Love Me” has already reached #1 on the iTunes chart. Now, the top ten singles are completely woman-dominated, with the Dixie Chicks' latest single taking the #2 spot, Katy Perry’s “Never Worn White” at #4, and Tones and I, Dua Lipa, and of course, queen Gaga snagging three of the other spots. We love to see it! Ladies of pop stay winning.
Image via Demi Lovato on YouTube
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Aliza is a Creative Writing BFA student and former BUST Magazine intern! When she's not writing, reading or scrolling through TikTok for hours on end, you can find her consuming copious amounts of iced coffee or doing something witchy. Follow her on Twitter @alizapelto.
