"Rare"
Live version artwork
Single by Selena Gomez
from the album Rare
ReleasedJanuary 10, 2020 (2020-01-10)
Recorded2018
StudioHome Away From Home Studios (Los Angeles, California)
Genre
Length3:40
LabelInterscope
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Selena Gomez singles chronology
"Look at Her Now"
(2019) 		"Rare"
(2020) 		"Boyfriend"
(2020)
Music video
"Rare" on YouTube

"Rare" is a song by American singer Selena Gomez from her third studio album of the same name (2020). It was released alongside the album as the third and final single off of its standard edition on January 10, 2020, by Interscope Records.[1] The track was written by Gomez, Madison Love, Brett McLaughlin and its producers Sir Nolan and Simon Says. "Rare" is a pop and electropop song with lyrics exuding self-love and individuality. It peaked at number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100. "Rare" was ranked as the 12th best song of the first half of 2020 by Billboard.[2]

Background

"Rare" was developed in a writing session with producer Sir Nolan and songwriters Madison Love and Brett McLaughlin. The song was initially written for Gomez, however she declined, and the song was recorded by other artists. In 2018, Selena wanted the song for the album and received it through her label’s A&R. According to Nolan, Gomez added melodies and ad-libs to make it fit her perspective. Producer Simon Says co-produced "Rare" with Nolan stating: "Simon and I went through her vocal takes a million times, comped them, Melodyned them, and went over the timing a trillion times. When it's an artist this big, you don't want to take any risks."[3]

The song was revealed in an Instagram Live by Gomez on August 15, 2018. Later that day, co-writer McLaughlin confirmed his involvement in the song.[4] Gomez teased the song's lyrics in an interview with Elle in September 2018.[5] The song was then teased in the Rare album trailer.[6][7]

On February 28, 2020, the Alexander 23 Edit of "Rare" was released for digital download and streaming.

Composition

Musically, "Rare" is three minutes and forty seconds long and has been described as a pop[8] and electropop[9] song. In terms of music notation, "Rare" was composed using 4
4 common time in the key of C Mixolydian with a tempo of 115 beats per minute,[10] following a chord progression of C–B♭. Gomez's vocal range spans from the low note of C4 to the high note of A5, giving the song one octave and five notes of range.[10] Gomez spoke to Billboard about "Rare":[11]

I have always loved that song, and I always wanted it to be the title of the record. And I felt like it was a great complement to where I left off with my other singles, because it is honest and raw, and basically saying, "I know I don't have it all, I’m not perfect, but I know that I deserve great, and I deserve love, and I deserve all of it, self-love." It's just one of those things where it's a confidence thing, but without being cocky.

Chart performance

"Rare" debuted and peaked at number thirty on the US Billboard Hot 100 following the release of the parent album and its accompanying music video. It later peaked at number 17 on the Mainstream Top 40 chart following its release as a radio single.

The song also peaked within the top 40 on charts in Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Scotland.

Music video

The BRTHR-directed music video, released on January 10, 2020, accompanied the song and album's release.[12] It features Gomez wandering in an ethereal world, laying on a spinning bed in a discotheque inspired room, and swimming in a pool. It was stated by Gomez that the music video was inspired by her philanthropic trip to Kenya months prior to the album release.

The dress Gomez wore in the video was designed by AADNEVIK.[13]

Live performances

On February 24, 2020, Gomez performed the song for the first time at the Village Studio. This live version was released for digital download and streaming on March 6, 2020.[14]

Track listing

  1. "Rare" – 3:40
  1. "Rare" (Alexander 23 edit) – 3:48
  1. "Rare" (Live from The Village Studio) – 3:51

Awards and nominations

Year Organization Award Result Ref.
2020 People's Choice Awards The Soundtrack Song of 2020 Nominated [16]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from the liner notes of Rare.[17]

Recording locations

Personnel

Charts

Chart (2020) Peak
position
Australia (ARIA)[18] 22
Austria (Ö3 Austria Top 40)[19] 19
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Flanders)[20] 30
Belgium (Ultratop 50 Wallonia)[21] 35
Canada (Canadian Hot 100)[22] 21
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[23] 22
Canada Hot AC (Billboard)[24] 32
Croatia (HRT)[25] 22
Czech Republic (Rádio – Top 100)[26] 12
Czech Republic (Singles Digitál Top 100)[27] 13
Denmark (Tracklisten)[28] 36
Ecuador (National-Report)[29] 49
Estonia (Eesti Ekspress)[30] 17
France (SNEP)[31] 73
Germany (Official German Charts)[32] 42
Greece (IFPI)[33] 3
Hungary (Stream Top 40)[34] 7
Hungary (Single Top 40)[35] 19
Ireland (IRMA)[36] 17
Italy (FIMI)[37] 85
Lebanon (The Official Lebanese Top 20 English Chart)[38] 17
Lithuania (AGATA)[39] 14
Malaysia (RIM)[40] 12
Mexico (Mexico Airplay)[41] 9
Netherlands (Dutch Top 40)[42] 25
Netherlands (Single Top 100)[43] 40
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ)[44] 28
Norway (VG-lista)[45] 29
Panama (Monitor Latino)[46] 18
Portugal (AFP)[47] 33
Romania (Airplay 100)[48] 46
Scotland (OCC)[49] 35
Singapore (RIAS)[50] 19
Slovakia (Singles Digitál Top 100)[51] 17
Slovenia (SloTop50)[52] 25
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[53] 60
Sweden (Sverigetopplistan)[54] 44
Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade)[55] 28
UK Singles (OCC)[56] 28
US Billboard Hot 100[57] 30
US Dance/Mix Show Airplay (Billboard)[58] 31
US Mainstream Top 40 (Billboard)[59] 17
US Rolling Stone Top 100[60] 12

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
Australia (ARIA)[61] Gold 35,000‡
Canada (Music Canada)[62] Gold 40,000‡
Norway (IFPI Norway)[63] Gold 30,000‡
Poland (ZPAV)[64] Gold 10,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[65] Silver 200,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various January 10, 2020
Interscope [66]
Italy January 17, 2020 Contemporary hit radio Universal [67]
Russia [68]
United Kingdom January 18, 2020 Adult contemporary radio Interscope [69]
January 24, 2020 Contemporary hit radio [70]
United States February 4, 2020 [71]

References

  1. ^ Rowley, Glenn (January 10, 2020). "Selena Gomez Is Right at Home Among Rainbows and Butterflies in Delightful 'Rare' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "The 50 Best Songs of 2020 (So Far): Staff Picks". Billboard. June 10, 2020.
  3. ^ "Inside Track: Selena Gomez 'Rare'".
  4. ^ Leland [@lelandofficial] (August 16, 2018). "Straight from the queen's mouth! Can't wait for everyone to hear "Rare". One of my favorite songs I've ever written and she sounds so so beautiful. https://twitter.com/seIenaIatest/status/1029890896974761985" (Tweet). Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via Twitter.
  5. ^ Rapkin, Mickey (September 4, 2018). "Selena Breaks Her Silence". ELLE. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
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  7. ^ "Selena Gomez – Official Album Trailer". Retrieved January 14, 2020 – via YouTube.
  8. ^ "Every Song Ranked on Selena Gomez's 'Rare'". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  9. ^ Saric, Tanja (February 24, 2020). "Watch Selena Gomez Perform A Beautiful Acoustic Rendition Of 'Rare'". ET Canada. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021.
  10. ^ a b "Selena Gomez "Rare" Sheet Music in F Major". Musicnotes.com. n.d. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "Selena Gomez Has Found Peace With 'Rare': 'I'm in the Happiest Place I've Ever Been in My Life'". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
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  13. ^ "aadnevikofficial Instagram". instagram.com. January 14, 2020. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
  14. ^ a b Rare (Live from the Village Studio) – Single by Selena Gomez, March 6, 2020, retrieved March 6, 2020
  15. ^ Rare (Alexander 23 Edit) – Single by Selena Gomez & Alexander 23, February 28, 2020, retrieved March 6, 2020
  16. ^ "2020 People's Choice Awards: Complete List of Nominees". E! Online. 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
  17. ^ Rare (CD booklet). Selena Gomez. Interscope Records. 2020.((cite AV media notes)): CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
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  38. ^ Note: See date February 16, 2020
  39. ^ "2020 3-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA. January 17, 2019. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
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  41. ^ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Mexico Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
  42. ^ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 6, 2020" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
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  44. ^ "NZ Top 40 Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 20, 2020. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  45. ^ "VG-lista – Topp 20 Single uke 3, 2020". VG-lista. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  46. ^ "Panamá Top 20 - Del 10 al 17 de Febrero 2020". Monitor Latino. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
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  48. ^ "Airplay 100 – 23 februarie 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020.
  49. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  50. ^ "RIAS International Top Charts Week 3". Recording Industry Association (Singapore). Archived from the original on January 25, 2020.
  51. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select SINGLES DIGITAL - TOP 100 and insert 202003 into search. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  52. ^ "SloTop50 – Slovenian official singles chart". slotop50.si. Archived from the original on March 31, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  53. ^ "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 3". Productores de Música de España. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
  54. ^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 3". Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved January 18, 2020.
  55. ^ "Selena Gomez – Rare". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
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  58. ^ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Dance Mix/Show Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
  59. ^ "Selena Gomez Chart History (Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  60. ^ "Top 100 Songs". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
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  63. ^ "Norwegian single certifications – Selena Gomez – Rare" (in Norwegian). IFPI Norway. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  64. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2020 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
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  66. ^ "Selena Gomez Is Right at Home Among Rainbows and Butterflies in Delightful 'Rare' Video: Watch". Billboard. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  67. ^ "SELENA GOMEZ "Rare" | (Radio Date: January 17, 2020)". radiodate.it. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
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  70. ^ "BBC – Radio 1 Playlist". BBC. Retrieved January 24, 2020.
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