It was revealed by the co-writer Liza Owen via Instagram that the song was written about an “asshole boy who shall not be named.” This led to many speculating it was about her ex-boyfriend, Justin Bieber. Interestingly, “Cut You Off” is the only explicit track released on Rare.
The song was first teased back in an interview with ELLE on September 4, 2018, where she “[hit] ‘play’ on [the track].” The interviewer, Mickey Rapkin, even described the song:
"[It’s] about cutting a man out of her life after “1,460 days” and [cleaning her slate]."
A snippet of the song was first teased on December 12, 2019, when Selena uploaded an album trailer for "Rare" on her social media platforms.
Cut You Off
Selena Gomez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta chop-chop all the extra weight
I've been carrying for 1460 days
Gotta, gotta, gotta clean my slate
And I might as well just tell you while I'm drunk, yeah
The truth is that I think I've had enough
Professionally messing with my trust
So I gotta get you out my head now
I just cut you off
You out my head now
I just cut you off
When I'm without you
I don't overthink it, I just carry on
Get you out my head now
I just cut you off
I imagine all the endless places I could know
With a drop-drop and I let you go
All the possibilities I got from head to toe
Yeah they'd, yeah they'd, yeah they'd start to show
And I might as well just tell you while I'm drunk, yeah
The truth is that I think I've had enough
Emotionally messing with my health (ha)
How could I confuse that shit for love?
So I gotta get you out my head now
I just cut you off
You out my head now
I just cut you off
When I'm without you
I don't overthink it, I just carry on
Get you out my head now
I just (I just), I just
You out my head now (I just)
When I'm without
You out my head now
So I gotta get you out my head now
I just (I just), cut you off (yeah, I cut you off)
You out my head now
I just cut you off
When I'm without you
I don't overthink it, I just carry on
Get you out my head now
I just, I just (yeah)
In Cut You Off, Selena Gomez sings about cutting loose from a toxic relationship. The song is about taking control of one’s life and taking measures to break free from the cycle of emotional pain. The opening lines of the song suggest that Selena is scrutinizing her own reflection before her eyes. She is evaluating the time she has spent carrying extra emotional baggage and how it impacted her life for more than four years. The phrase "clean my slate" signifies that she wants to start afresh by letting go of all the negative thoughts and emotions that are holding her back.
As the song progresses, Selena admits that she's had enough of being played by someone she trusted. It's evident she is talking about a person she used to date, and now she knows that she confused love with something that wasn't it. The lyrics showcase how she tries to forget the memories they've shared and all the good times that have now turned sour. By doing so, she can get her ex out of her head now and move on with her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Pull up to the mirror, staring at my face
I look at myself in the mirror and notice there's a lot of extra baggage that I need to get rid of.
Gotta chop-chop all the extra weight
I need to remove all the unnecessary things from my life as it's starting to weigh me down.
I've been carrying for 1460 days
I have been carrying this extra weight for 4 years and now it's time to let go.
Gotta, gotta, gotta clean my slate
I need a fresh start and to start over with a clean slate.
And I might as well just tell you while I'm drunk, yeah
I will be honest with you about how I feel while I am drunk and can't hold back.
The truth is that I think I've had enough
I realize that I've reached my limit and can't take it anymore.
Professionally messing with my trust
Someone has been playing with my trust on a professional level, and that's not acceptable.
How could I confuse that shit for love?
I mistook someone's professional behavior for love, and that's not true love.
So I gotta get you out my head now
I need to remove this person from my thoughts and move on.
I just cut you off
I am removing you from my life completely.
When I'm without you
When I'm not with you physically, I don't dwell on you.
I don't overthink it, I just carry on
I don't obsess over the relationship anymore and just continue living my life.
I imagine all the endless places I could know
I envision all the new opportunities that I can explore now that I am free.
With a drop-drop and I let you go
With a single action, I'm letting you go and saying goodbye for good.
All the possibilities I got from head to toe
I have many new options to explore, from my head to my toes.
Yeah they'd, yeah they'd, yeah they'd start to show
I can see these new possibilities emerging and starting to take shape.
Emotionally messing with my health (ha)
This relationship has negatively affected my emotional wellbeing and health.
So I gotta get you out my head now
I need to get rid of this person from my thoughts to heal emotionally.
I just cut you off
I'm removing you from my life permanently and completely.
You out my head now
I have removed this person from my thoughts and mind.
I just (I just), I just
I just need to move on and not dwell on the past.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Chloe Christina Angelides, David Andrew Pramik, Liza Owen, Selena Marie Gomez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ayeperalta1266
''How could i confuse that shit for love?'' DRAG HIMMM GIRLLL
@Maryannam78903
Yasss. Shes totally slayying! I hope Justin is pounding his head listening to this song especially because Selena cut his fake love off
@5verse463
@@Maryannam78903 you're an idiot if you think Justin didnt have feelings for her at all 😂🤦
@adebolaimoleayo950
Not true if said Justin didn't love her at all just that feelings change sometimes but when it does be truthful and let go on time to avoid hatred if u drag too long to quit
@evarene07
5 Verse he used and abused this woman at every turn
@LadyBBrown
🤣🤣🤣
@creishakinny8087
When Selena said "gotta chop chop all the extra weight"
I felt that.
@chirayu_jain
Lol 😂
@yourlyrics7528
Hahahha
@v.t599
Cut them out