Top 10 Best Selena Gomez Music Videos
#10: “Hit the Lights” (2011)
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Directed by Philip Andelman, this music video ultimately celebrates the youthful vitality of Selena Gomez. Early on, though, the camera accentuates her innocence, as she wanders a field and sports some trendy shades. But as the video progresses, the narrative takes a more adult turn, with Selena partying in the streets and a dimly lit club. Visually, the director presents a day-in-the-life story, but it’s also a metaphor for Selena’s transformation into a woman. For Selena, “Hit the Lights” essentially marks the beginning of a new era in her career.
#9: “Round & Round” (2010)
Also directed by Philip Andelman, here’s a music video that showcases Selena’s acting chops. With the Budapest setting and spy narrative, Selena gets to break free of her Disney persona to play a glammed-up femme fatale. With all the insert performance shots, “Round & Round” is more playful than dramatic, yet it still gives fans something original and unique, at least within the scope of her videography. At the time, she was actually working on the film “Monte Carlo,” so the European influence makes perfect sense.
#8: “Slow Down” (2013)
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In support of her debut album, Selena released a stylish music video, one that’s in line with her more grown-up lyrics. By once again teaming up with director Philip Andelman, Selena stays in her comfort zone for a night out in Paris. At first glance, it’s all the glam that jumps off the screen, but critics also noted the less-than-subtle visual references to the late Princess Diana, as Selena navigates Paris in a Mercedes Benz, much like Diana on her fateful night. Even so, “Slow Down” is a relatively PG-13 production that further highlights Selena’s evolution as a woman and pop star.
#7: “Good For You” (2015)
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For this music video, director Sophie Muller keeps it simple. It’s all about Selena’s sexuality and her identity as a confident, mature woman. From beginning to end, the camera focuses solely ON Selena, but whereas the video could’ve gone overboard to promote her sensuality, the staging and setting provides for more of a high fashion aesthetic. In other words, Selena shows a bit of skin, but it’s mostly implied through shower sequences and a basic white tee. All in all, it’s an effective way to get the point across, as Selena stuns in each frame, whether she’s staring directly at the camera or just lost in thought.
#6: “A Year Without Rain” (2010)
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Cinematic and conceptually ambitious, this video goes hand-in-hand with the lyrical content. Filmed in California’s Mojave Desert, the location for “A Year Without Rain” is somewhat of an obvious choice. With that being said, though, it’s an ideal backdrop for Selena’s poetic performance. She looks stylish, of course, and with a bunch of photographs blowing’ in the wind, director Chris Dooley injects a bit of cinematic flair, too. Yet by the conclusion, “A Year Without Rain” becomes a little more organic, making it more accessible and artistic than the typical pop star video.
#5: “Same Old Love” (2015)
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With its behind-the-scenes narrative, this video blurs the line between fantasy and reality. Directed by Michael Haussman, “Same Old Love” isolates Selena for the surrounding public, only to connect her with fans by the end. While simplistic, it’s more elegant than most Selena videos. Haussman’s direction shows that Selena values her privacy, but she’s also in tune with her fan base and various walks of life. And what better way to end a personal tale than with a surprise performance for her fans, who were also surprised to find themselves in the final cut of the video.
#4: “The Heart Wants What It Wants” (2014)
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Shot entirely in black and white, this Selena video begins on a somber note. The stage is set as the visuals become more representative of Selena’s state of mind than anything else. With the intimate close-up shots, this video definitely has plenty of style. It’s emotional and heartfelt, as we see Selena crying, and the grainy second half further insinuates how some past loves can leave a lasting effect. Overall, “The Heart Wants What it Wants” stands as one of Gomez’s more sensitive and personal music videos, thanks to the thoughtful directing of Dawn Shadforth.
#3: “Hands to Myself” (2016)
For “Hands to Myself,” Alek Keshishian stages Selena not as a sensuous superstar, but rather as a sensuous stalker looking for love. To distance herself from a bubblegum pop persona, Selena enlisted the director behind Madonna’s “Truth or Dare” documentary. Loaded with lingerie shots and skimpy outfits, “Hands to Myself” is undoubtedly one of Selena’s more revealing productions. With a dramatic storyline paired with the sexy and high quality visuals, it’s also one of Selena’s most popular videos. And with an iconic director to guide the action, Selena fully succeeds in crossing over into a new kind of pop star.
#2: “Come & Get It” (2013)
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Directed by Anthony Mandler, this video has Selena fully connected to Mother Earth. Right from the start, it’s clear that “Come & Get It” has a spiritual vibe, but it’s the scope and grandiosity that makes it a more worldly production. If Selena had already established herself as a North American pop star, this type of video allows her to spread her wings, with the title being an invitation to further explore the Selena Gomez brand. Incorporating the classical elements of air, earth, fire and water, it’s clearly designed to elevate Selena into the next realm, showing a bohemian, naturalistic side that we’ve never seen before. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Kill Em with Kindness” (2016) “Who Says” (2011) “Naturally” (2009)
#1: “Love You Like a Love Song” (2011)
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Perhaps the most original Selena video, this production definitely has that indie feel. Directed by Geremy Jasper and Georgie Greville, “Love You Like a Love Song” strays from a traditional narrative, as Selena transitions from a karaoke stage to a Victorian outfit to a trippy performance featuring a sci-fi mariachi band. Given Selena’s commercial appeal at the time, this video came as a bit of surprise. But it mixes various outfits, scenes and aesthetics to widen its appeal, all the while relying on the unmistakable charm of the Selena herself. It demonstrates that she’s willing to explore the road less travelled with her videos, and it’s just accessible enough to connect with both teens and the 20-something millennial crowd. So, do you agree with our selections? What is your favorite Selena Gomez music video? For more musical Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.
