Bebe Rexha’s latest song is a wonderfully wrapped gift with a beautiful bow. The single and the music video presents an excellent package complete with outstanding lyrics, visuals and sound. Her music typically features a pop musical composition; however, she incorporates more live instruments into “Heart Wants What It Wants.” The song tells a good story about the triumph of love as well as heartbreak. The idea of “time” is present within the lyrics, as the singer describes how her heart wants what it wants during a particular time, but it may change at any given moment.
Rexha recently told Rolling Stone that we are “at a place in life after a pandemic where sad songs are of the past, I just want everyone to have a good time.”
She released the official music video for “Heart Wants What It Wants” on Feb. 17, 2023. It is the lead single from a currently untitled album. She has expressed that the new music will have a 70s influence.
Lyrics
My heart only wants what it wants
What it wants, what it wants ’til it doesn’t
I can’t promise you love, it was love
It was love, it was love ’til it wasn’t, oh
The character in the song seems to be guided by the wind. She leads with her heart and is willing to follow it wherever it may take her. She’s at a point in her life where she can’t guarantee love, but instead wants her partner to know that she loves as much as possible during her relationships.
Already met a man like you
Already seen all of your mo-o-oves
One step ahead, I’m on to you
I feel nothin’ when we’re lovin’, when we’re touchin’, so
The character is extremely knowledgeable of her love life. When she meets someone who shows interest she can discover if he is similar to someone she used to date. Since she probably already knows the prospective lover’s moves she is able to stay one step ahead.
Go ahead and cry a river (Go ahead and cry a river)
You can go and fill the sea (You can go and fill the sea)
Don’t you know that you’re just a game to me?
She plays the same kind of game that Lady Gaga does in “Love Game.” Cupid may use his arrows to show that someone is interested, but this is not a permanent elixir. Once the love game starts the players are not locked in, they have the ability to float in another direction and cupid will still be there to greet them.
Vocals
Bebe Rexha has an amazing voice. She became a singer as she was performing in musical theater as a child and in high school. Over the years, she has trained her voice to deliver pop vocals.
Instrumentation
The live drums and guitar blends excellently with drum machine throughout the song. There are also some synthesizer and keyboard sounds in the music.
Performance
Bebe Rexha’s performance in the music video is exceptional. Her style fits well with the video’s 70s theme. Since her entire album is inspired by the retro generation, it’s safe to say that her future videos in 2023 will be similar.
