Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco “Find A Third” in Gracie Abrams With “Call Me When You Break Up”

While Gracie Abrams might not be of a generation that even acknowledges voicemail as “a thing,” she is nonetheless part of a song that opens with the “VM” standard, “Your call has been forwarded to an automatic voice message system. *** is not available. At the tone, please record your message.” For that matter, however, neither is Selena Gomez part of a generation that believes in actually talking on the phone. Whether in real time or in leaving a message form. Granted, voice notes are somewhat like the new voicemails. Particularly between friends passing the tea back and forth. And yes, to quote Gomez herself, “To get an obvious statement out of the way, this song is actually about a best friend that I have in my life. So it’s not about anything if you think it is.” Unless what you think it is happens to be a song about Taylor Swift. 

And yes, that theory would make sense, especially if viewing Gracie Abrams as an “Easter egg,” what with her previous collaborations with Swift—whether as an opening act on The Eras Tour or getting her to duet on “Us” from The Secret of Us (and no one, except for Ed Sheeran, ever gets Swift to duet). But before Abrams contributes her verse, Gomez sets the stage for being that proverbial friend who always ends up getting cast aside when someone chooses their romantic relationship over their friendship(s) (as is frequently the case, most commonly with women). Thus, Gomez’s rightful excitement over her friend finally being available again—even if, for the friend in question, it’s a result of unpleasant circumstances. But Gomez insists that there’s a silver lining in her friend’s newfound singledom in the chorus that goes, “Call me when you break up/I wanna be the first one on your mind when you wake up/I miss the way we’d stay up/We’d talk about forever when I’m takin’ off my makeup/Call me when you break up/And maybe for a time I could have the space they take up/And make you forget what their name was/And whеn you’re feelin’ down, I can show you what you’re made of.” 

So it is that, from the outset, Gomez establishes the theme of this single as a true “ride or die” anthem. Even when that one bestie is seemingly always showing signs of betrayal by “disappearing into” whatever her latest relationship is. And yes, if anyone has experience with that, it’s Gomez (again, *cough cough* being friends with serial monogamist Taylor Swift). But, funnily enough, now Gomez is the one in the position to be cringe with her relationship. One that, indeed, reached a peak gross-out moment that everybody with eyes hopes can never be topped by another straight couple: Benny Blanco spelling out “I ‘Heart’ You” in tortilla chips near a bathtub filled with queso for Valentine’s Day. Naturally, the video Blanco posted of this “romantic Valentine’s Day gesture” was soundtracked by the duo’s first single together, “Scared of Loving You,” an even shorter track (at one minute and fifty seconds) than “Call Me When You Break Up.” As for the forthcoming album that both songs hail from, I Said I Love You First, the couple remained unabashed about the kiss of death that usually results from working together as famous people in a relationship (did Bennifer teach them nothing?). Hence, a press release that promised fans, “a unique window into their relationship.” Enter the voyeuristic album artwork that makes it look as though one is peering into a keyhole. As if they wanted to. 

Even so, the press release continued, “This album came together organically as a direct result of the comfort that they both felt when working together creatively, allowing them to produce art that authentically reflects their experiences. It chronicles their entire story—before they met, falling in love and looking to what the future holds.” In other words, it doesn’t seem as though Gomez is going to be calling any of her friends anytime soon (or so she can dare to dream) about a breakup. But then, you never know. On one day, Gomez might feel like the “saucy” woman of “Single Soon” (which has a certain thematic parallel to “Call Me When You Break Up”) and another day like the subservient girl of “Good For You.” 

For now, however, she’ll play the part of the easily accessible friend in the accompanying “official” video for “Call Me When You Break Up” (which looks more like something Lana Del Rey would try to pass off as official [see: the currently listed album artwork for The Right Person Will Stay]). One in which, for the most part, Gomez lolls around in bed before Abrams “pops out” next to her. And while Gomez’s focus is on getting her friend to see what a great distraction she could be, Abrams’ is still on the object of her heartbreak as she instead sings with a tone directed at her ex, “Call me when you break up/I’m battlin’ the lack of us, I’ve looked for medication/Tried every obvious replacement/In bars, in strangers’ beds until my faith was in the basement/Won’t you call me when you break up?/I feel so outta luck, I’m skipping cracks along the pavement/Look, I’m emotionally bankrupt/We’re so meant for each other, I mean, God, when will you wake up, wake up?” At the same time, parts of those lyrics can also be interpreted to mean that the friend who was in a relationship and is now out of one is missing the friend that was single while they were attached because now the former is boo’d up. Inconvenient timing and all that rot. 

In the video, however, it appears as though both “besties” are single at the same time, “frolicking” in bed together as they suggestively repeat, “I’ll make it worth it.” A mantra that eventually conjures Blanco to pop out as well…making for an odd effect, to say the least. Because, really, did Gomez and Abrams not see that it makes them look like they’re having a threesome? It doesn’t feel like the true intent on their part, for nothing these individuals do is ever tongue-in-cheek (except when Gomez has that written into a script for her).

Even so, when Gomez concludes the song with the verse, “Call me when you break up/Unless you found the person that you want a new name from/I’d like to be there when that day comes,” Blanco’s sudden appearance is the clear indication that she thinks he’s that person for her. Until she’s forced to call Taylor when she breaks up. Though, by that time, Tay might be embroiled in her own divorce proceedings.