All Tracks From Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco’s ‘I Said I Love You First,’ Ordered

This brief interlude gets to the heart of Gomez’s enduring message: after Blanco delivers a mock infomercial promising a cure for every ailment, Gomez interrupts him to assert, “Actually, just be precisely who you are.”

The album commences with an emotive spoken-word moment: in a message to her loved ones (reportedly given at the Wizards of Waverly Place wrap party), Gomez expresses gratitude to those who supported her growth while wishing her future projects won’t disappoint them.

As Gomez tactfully informs a friend of her partner who senses a shift in their relationship (and may have been subtly interested in him), Blanco co-produces a progressively building soundscape, centered on an uncomplicated chord sequence but branching out to include choral elements, vibrant keyboards, and string accents. “Don’t Take It Personally” might not be the flashiest track, but it could epitomize why Blanco has become a virtuoso in his domain.

Indeed, that’s the same “I Can’t Get Enough” that became a success for Blanco and Gomez back in 2019, when they were merely professional acquaintances. While including the pre-pandemic collaboration with J Balvin and Tainy on I Said I Love You First may feel unexpected for long-time fans, the electro-reggaeton track is a chapter in their love story — plus, it still resonates powerfully, with Gomez’s voice sounding vibrant against the deep bass and melodic hooks.

“Sunset Blvd” could be viewed as a love confession disguised as a string of suggestive remarks — “That big! BIG! HARD! HEART!” echoes the pre-chorus — but its charm lies in the straightforward Bianco-led production, employing dreamy synths and a simple beat to accompany Gomez’s public expression of affection. 

What would it signify if an ex finally uttered an apology, after both individuals in a flawed relationship had long since moved forward? That’s the contemplation Gomez explores in “You Said You Were Sorry,” featuring some of the most evocative writing on the album: while her new lover “could melt a damn diamond,” her thoughts drift back to her earlier relationship in a dream where she and her ex’s “eyes were balling rain.”

On a track that could have come across as spiteful — Gomez throws jabs at a past flame with lines like “You’re so embarrassing / Go cry when no one’s watching” — “How Does It Feel to Be Forgotten” emerges as enlightened, with the singer diving into Lana Del Rey’s soundscape as the cymbals shimmer and the sparse verses transition into powerful, full-throated choruses.

In another reality, “Don’t Wanna Cry” would be the lead single from a Gomez project addressing her frustrations with pain and ready to turn the tables on the one who caused her distress; as it currently stands, the song’s thematic direction doesn’t quite represent I Said I Love You First, yet its grand production, defiant chorus, and subtle bass grooves make it an instantly captivating moment on the album, as well as a potential hit.

The first promotional single from I Said I Love You First arrived just before Valentine’s Day — perfectly timed for a gentle, strumming track about revealing your deepest emotions to the person you trust completely. Upon its debut, “Scared of Loving You” subtly reminded audiences that Gomez excels in conversational pop, as she delivers the vulnerable line, “When I was young, I would love too fast / Hope I don’t repeat my past.”

Although Gomez hasn’t released a full-length studio album since 2020’s Rare, she returned in 2021 with Revelación, a notable Spanish-language EP that garnered her a Grammy nomination; “Ojos Tristes,” featuring vocals from the Marías’ lead María Zardoya, offers Gomez another chance for bilingual storytelling, bringing a song that radiates the summery haze of the Marías’ hit “No One Noticed.”

Despite her significant success over the years, Gomez recognizes that the entertainment world often celebrates the rising star — thus, while the poignant “Younger and Hotter Than Me” ostensibly relates to an ex who moved on, lines such as “All the girls at this party are younger and hotter than me / And I hate what I wore, but I hate myself more” reflect her broader anxieties about a world that moves ahead without her, complemented by a sorrowful piano melody that captures her insecurities.

The choice to follow “Sunset Blvd” with “Cowboy” on the tracklist was deliberate: one song after delivering playful double entendres and cheeky nudity concepts, Gomez takes a serious and passionate turn, urging “Put your hands on me” with a melodic tone as the beat bubbles beneath her. “Cowboy” embodies longing and features one of Gomez’s standout vocal performances on the album — not to mention an explicit outro from GloRilla, whose surprise appearance will certainly provoke a few second glances.

This duet between Gomez and guest artist Gracie Abrams unfolds with such infectious joy that its brief two-minute duration feels fleeting: portraying the dual perspectives of a friendship following the abrupt end of a romance, the two pop stars express despair and support, while the dance beat and catchy ah-ah-ah’s contribute to the energetic momentum of “Call Me When You Break Up.” Although Gomez is already releasing a collaborative album, she and Abrams should continue to create together, allowing their personalities to bounce off one another.

Exactly ten years ago, Blanco co-produced “Same Old Love,” a hit for his friend Gomez featuring a writing credit from Charli XCX, who was then the voice behind “Boom Clap” on the top 40 charts. Fast forward a decade: Blanco and Gomez are now engaged, Charli XCX has revitalized her career with Brat, and the three have collaborated on “Bluest Flame,” the most vibrant track on I Said I Love You First. Charli’s influence is evident here, even before checking the liner notes for her co-writing credit: the song’s driving pulse, repetitive structure, and focus on indulgent themes all hark back to the joyful vibes of Brat summer, yet Gomez makes this moment her own, infusing a romantic allure into the song’s unique vocal line. Amidst the album’s more intense tracks, “Bluest Flame” stands as a celebration — and a resounding triumph.