“Who Says” is a song by Selena Gomez & the Scene, an American band. It was released in March 2011 as the main single from their third album, “When the Sun Goes Down” (2011). Priscilla Renea and Emanuel Kiriakou wrote and produced the song, respectively.
Selena Gomez shared that “Who Says” aims to “inspire people and fire back at the “haters”, especially those involved in cyberbullying.” The song stands out from the band’s earlier songs with its acoustic and natural sound, departing from their usual dance-pop and club-oriented style.
In this article, we’ll analyze the meaning behind the lyrics.
Table of Contents
“Who Says” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro]
I wouldn’t wanna be anybody else
Hey
The intro sets the tone for the song with Selena Gomez expressing contentment with herself and rejecting the idea of wanting to be anyone else. It conveys a message of self-confidence and self-acceptance.
[Verse 1]
You made me insecure
Told me I wasn’t good enough
But who are you to judge
When you’re a diamond in the rough?
I’m sure you got some things
You’d like to change about yourself
But when it comes to me
I wouldn’t wanna be anybody else
In the first verse, Selena Gomez talks about feeling insecure because of someone else’s opinions. She remembers feeling like she wasn’t good enough because of what this person said.
But instead of accepting their judgment, she questions if they’re perfect themselves, comparing them to a “diamond in the rough,” suggesting they have flaws too.
Then she changes gears, focusing on accepting herself. She’s happy with who she is and sings, “You’d like to change about yourself, But when it comes to me, I wouldn’t wanna be anybody else.”
[Pre-Chorus]
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
I’m no beauty queen, I’m just beautiful me
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na
You’ve got every right to a beautiful life
Come on
In the pre-chorus, Selena sings, “Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na” over and over in a catchy way, building up momentum for the chorus.
This repetition helps to highlight the next lines, where Selena boldly states, “I’m no beauty queen, I’m just beautiful me,” set to an energetic tune. She’s challenging the idea of what beauty should be and reminding us it’s okay to be ourselves.
Wrapping up the pre-chorus, she firmly declares, “You’ve got every right to a beautiful life,” encouraging us all to embrace who we are and go after what makes us happy.
[Chorus]
Who says?
Who says you’re not perfect?
Who says you’re not worth it?
Who says you’re the only one that’s hurtin’?
Trust me, that’s the price of beauty
Who says you’re not pretty?
Who says you’re not beautiful?
Who says?
The chorus starts with some questions like, “Who says you’re not perfect? Who says you’re not worth it?” These questions are there to challenge negative thoughts and the idea that you’re not good enough.
Then Selena says, “Who says you’re the only one that’s hurtin’?” This means that feeling down and insecure is something many people go through.
Later in the chorus, she sings, “Trust me, that’s the price of beauty.” This suggests that dealing with tough times and doubts is part of becoming confident and finding your inner beauty.
Selena keeps up the message of believing in yourself by repeating, “Who says you’re not pretty? Who says you’re not beautiful?” These lines remind us that everyone has value and beauty, no matter what others might say.
[Verse 2]
It’s such a funny thing
How nothing’s funny when it’s you
You tell ’em what you mean
But they keep whitin’ out the truth
It’s like the work of art
That never gets to see the light
Keep you beneath the stars
Won’t let you touch the sky
In the second verse of “Who Says,” Selena Gomez delves deeper into the experience of feeling judged and misunderstood. She begins by describing how situations that may seem trivial or amusing to others can be deeply hurtful when directed at oneself.
Selena expresses frustration at not being understood despite her efforts to communicate honestly, singing, “You tell ’em what you mean, but they keep whitin’ out the truth.” She compares the experience to a “work of art that never gets to see the light.”
The metaphorical reference to being kept “beneath the stars” and not being allowed to “touch the sky,” symbolizes the limitations and restrictions imposed upon one’s dreams and aspirations.
[Bridge]
Who says you’re not star potential?
Who says you’re not presidential?
Who says you can’t be in movies?
Listen to me, listen to me
Who says you don’t pass the test?
Who says you can’t be the best?
Who said, who said?
Would you tell me who said that?
Yeah, who said?
In the bridge, Selena Gomez is questioning whether it’s true that we can’t achieve great things in different areas. When she asks, “Who says you’re not star potential?” she’s challenging the idea that someone can’t shine and succeed in what they choose to do, whether it’s in entertainment or elsewhere.
Similarly, when she asks, “Who says you’re not presidential?” she’s questioning the idea that some people aren’t meant to be leaders. She’s saying that anyone, no matter where they come from, can make a difference and take on leadership roles.
And when she asks, “Who says you can’t be in movies?” she’s challenging the idea that certain careers are only for certain people. She’s questioning beliefs that might stop someone from chasing their dreams, like acting or working in the film industry.
Selena Gomez urges listeners to pay attention to her words by repeating “Listen to me, listen to me.”
The questions “Who says you don’t pass the test? Who says you can’t be the best?” challenge the validity of external judgments and expectations that may hold people back.
The repetition of “Who said, who said?” emphasizes her challenge to societal norms and expectations.
By asking “Would you tell me who said that? Yeah, who said?” Selena prompts listeners to critically examine the origins of these beliefs and consider whether they are valid or worth adhering to.
[Outro]
Who says you’re not perfect?
Who says you’re not worth it?
Who says you’re the only one that’s hurtin’?
Trust me, that’s the price of beauty (Yeah)
Who says you’re not pretty? (Who says you’re not beautiful?)
Who says you’re not beautiful?
Who says?
In the outro of “Who Says,” Selena Gomez repeats the lines, “Who says you’re not perfect? Who says you’re not worth it?” to convey the message of challenging societal expectations and embracing one’s true worth.
In the following line “Who says you’re the only one that’s hurtin’?” Selena Gomez suggests that feelings of hurt and insecurity are universal experiences, emphasizing that no one is alone in facing these challenges.
The phrase “Trust me, that’s the price of beauty” suggests that struggles people face can contribute to their growth and resilience, ultimately enhancing their beauty and strength.
The subsequent repetition of “Who says you’re not pretty? Who says you’re not beautiful?” reinforces Selena’s challenge to societal standards of beauty. She means that external judgments or criticisms do not define one’s worth or beauty. Instead, we should embrace our uniqueness and inherent beauty.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Who Says”
“Who Says” is a song performed by American band Selena Gomez & the Scene. It challenges societal norms and expectations, particularly those related to beauty standards and self-worth.
In a 2011 interview with MTV News, Gomez described the song as “fun and empowering,” noting, “Every time I sing this song, I’m like, ‘I feel better already!'”
When discussing its message, Gomez said the song actually deals “with bullying, with cyberbullying, with all the negativity that is in high school and dealing with things, you’re already trying to figure out who you are; it doesn’t help when people are constantly trying to tear you down,” adding that it speaks of “embracing who you are and not letting your critics get you down.”
She acknowledged her personal experience with these challenges, stating “I’m dealing with it, of course” and admitted to “going through it as well.”
After premiering the single on On Air with Ryan Seacrest, Gomez stated that the song was written to address the criticism she faced on social media:
“When I heard it, I felt like my fans need this song right now, especially with Twitter and Facebook. I feel like it’s really negative for me. Within that world, there’s just such easy access to people’s feelings. This song is such a great message to my fans, and it really touched me when I heard it…Basically, it’s to the haters, it’s to the people who try to bring you down.”
The lyrics address feelings of insecurity and inadequacy that many people experience due to societal pressures and expectations. Selena challenges these beliefs by questioning who has the authority to dictate someone’s worth or beauty, as she sings, “Who says you’re not star potential? Who says you’re not presidential? Who says you can’t be in movies?”
Gomez emphasizes that everyone has flaws and insecurities, but these do not diminish their value. She boldly states that she appreciates her uniqueness and inner beauty, asserting, “I’m sure you’ve got some things/ You’d like to change about yourself/ But when it comes to me/ I wouldn’t want to be anybody else.”
By repeatedly asking “Who says?” in the song, Selena Gomez prompts listeners to critically examine the source of the negative beliefs and judgments that may affect their self-esteem and confidence.
In the end, she recognizes that everyone might feel hurt on their way to achieving personal goals. It’s not an isolated experience. However, it’s the pain that will make us stronger and build up our self-worth, as she sings, “Who says you’re the only one that’s hurtin’? Trust me, that’s the price of beauty.”

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