The track, which served as the third official single from his defining comeback album, Purpose (2015), became a global, understated phenomenon. Co-written with pop maestro Benny Blanco (now Selena Gomez’s husband) and folk superstar Ed Sheeran, the acoustic breakup anthem marked a significant shift in Bieber’s sound and public persona, showcasing a mature, self-aware approach that resonated instantly with a massive audience worldwide.
Recording artist Justin Bieber attends the 2015 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 22, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Songwriters Ed Sheeran (L) and Benny Blanco accept Best Lyrics for ‘Love Yourself’ (song by Justin Bieber) onstage at the 2017 iHeartRadio Music Awards which broadcast live on Turner’s TBS, TNT, and truTV at The Forum on March 5, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
The Meaning and Who It Was For
The song’s minimalist, folk-pop production contrasts sharply with its highly explicit lyrics, which confront a narcissistic and manipulative ex-lover. While Bieber never publicly named the subject, fan speculation has long centered on his tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship with Selena Gomez. However, the song was initially composed by Ed Sheeran for his own album, who simply gave it to Bieber. Bieber did, however, adapt the tone to fit a toxic relationship from his past, adding personal venom to the cutting chorus: “’Cause if you like the way you look that much, oh baby, you should go and love yourself.”
Singers Selena Gomez (L) and Justin Bieber arrive at the 2011 American Music Awards held at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on November 20, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Shattering Global Chart Records
“Love Yourself” was an indisputable commercial triumph, dominating global charts and breaking several significant records. In the US, it reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the best-performing single of 2016 on the year-end chart. Crucially, the song replaced Bieber’s own previous single, “Sorry,” at the top of the UK Singles Chart, making him the first artist since The Beatles and Elvis Presley to replace himself at number one. Furthermore, Purpose became the first album by a male artist in nearly a decade to produce three consecutive number-one singles on the Hot 100, solidifying the album as a defining moment in pop history.
Bieber’s Triumphant Era
The enormous success of “Love Yourself” was central to the “Purpose era,” a period that saw Justin Bieber successfully transition from troubled former teen idol to critically respected adult artist. The song was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year, underscoring the industry’s recognition of his newfound maturity and artistic integrity.
