"Same Old Love" is a song recorded by American singer Selena Gomez, who included it on and released it from her second studio album Revival (2015).
"Same Old Love" is a midtempo electropop and synth-pop song backed by a wonky piano loop, a finger-click beat and Italo disco synths.
In the song, Gomez uses a forceful, emotive tone and a raspy delivery that are both uncharacteristic for her, accompanied by XCX's chorus vocals.
"Same Old Love" was accompanied by a music video directed by Michael Haussman and filmed in the Broadway Theater District of Los Angeles.
[2] The song was initially intended for Barbadian singer Rihanna who shared the track's "I'm so sick of that same old love" line on Twitter in June 2014.
Gomez first announced "Same Old Love" as the second single from Revival on August 5, 2015, at the iHeartMedia summit—a forum for labels to preview their upcoming material to radio management.
[23] In terms of music notation, "Same Old Love" was composed using 44 common time in the key of B minor, with a moderate tempo of 96–100 beats per minute.
[24] The song's verses are resigned and have a quaint 1960s sound, laden with a simple, wonky piano loop and a sparse, finger-click beat.
"[30] Joe Levy of Rolling Stone suggested that the track "may be carving out a role for [Gomez] as a pop torch singer", describing it as "moody and catchy without being obvious".
[33] Emily Mackay from The Observer found the song's understated sound "most surprising [...], despite the hit-making co-writers", deeming it a winning collaboration.
[36] In a review for ABC News, Allan Raible opined that the song "gets better with each repeated listen" and complimented Gomez's "convincing level of sincerity".
[39] Similarly, Slant Magazine's Sal Cinquemani felt the track lacked originality, noting that it was "dominated by the unmistakable presence of Charli XCX".
[51] In its fourteenth charting week, the song moved to its peak spot at number six,[52] and was subsequently certified gold by Music Canada for sales of over 40,000 copies.
[55] The song peaked at number 81, and spent six weeks on the UK Singles Chart, under performing in this region compared to its successor and predecessor.
[57][58] The accompanying music video for "Same Old Love" was directed by Michael Haussman and filmed in the Broadway Theater District of Los Angeles.
[60] He initially planned for Gomez's scenes to be shot entirely in a car, but later felt this would disconnect from her intended interpretation and found inspiration from singer Tony Bennett who was known for walking to his concerts.
[60] Gomez invited 800 fans to the district's Palace Theater for a special Revival event where they were surprised by also being cast in the final stage performance scene of the video.
[64] Gomez briefly witnesses several public vignettes: including a distressed mother and her son, an infuriated man venting his anger, and a couple kissing.
[61] She then walks around the city where she encounters more public vignettes: a gay couple and their baby, and a daughter staring into a fish tank near her sleeping father.
", concluding: "Gomez's two careers collide as a bit of old Hollywood movie magic and her sultry voice make for one glamorous video.
"[66] Madeline Roth from MTV News deemed the music video "sexy" and "sophisticated", highlighting its themes of Hollywood glamour and suspense.
[67] Similarly, Glamour magazine writer Lynsey Eidell commented: "The video for 'Same Old Love' continues to show off Gomez's sophisticated and sultry side—but it also comes with a pretty awesome backstory.
[70] Alyssa Bailey from Elle magazine viewed it as "a pretty, lonely, vaguely Britney Spears 'Lucky'-ish look into the world of a pop star".
[74] On November 22, 2015, Gomez performed "Same Old Love" at the American Music Awards flanked by a bevy of tuxedo-clad male dancers on a cabaret-themed stage with an illuminated staircase and disco balls.
[80] Sam Tsui, Alyson Stoner and Kurt Schneider released a one-take choreographed cover video of the song on October 22, 2015.