'Strong': How Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez Pulled Off Their Surprise Duet
Since Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez's duet "Strong" leaked on OVO Sound Radio this weekend, the brief outing created a frenzy among their respective fans.
With the lyrics of the duet seemingly addressing ex-couple Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez's stormy relationship and pointedly revealing the angst the two still feel towards each other, questions have emerged about "Strong" and how both artists were able to pull off the surprise collaboration.
According to ET Online, the duet is not a new recording. It was said to have been a three-year-old collaboration that was recorded for fun, when Bieber and Selena were still at a high point in their relationship, and that they recorded it separately, while they were still working on separate projects.
However, the lyrics of the song point out several of the issues that plagued the couple during their four years of dating, and while it was never meant to be released, the message it sends appears to be prescient, given both Bieber and Gomez have since parted ways.
Fans who are looking forward to seeing the duet on Bieber's upcoming album "Purpose," which is due for release on November 13, are likely to be disappointed.
Bieber, who's current single "What Do You Mean" likewise seems to address his frustration over his partner's inability to voice out her real feelings, and is speculated to be a song he has written about Gomez.
Through the single, he has sang how deep his feelings were for his ex, whom he dated since 2011 up until their breakup a year ago, admitting things between them went "too intense, too fast."
Gomez herself has since acknowledged her part in the relationship's demise, citing both their busy schedules as a reason for their breakup.
Both Bieber and Gomez have also stated, during separate instances, that collaborating together on a project would be cathartic for them, and would bring closure to a painful episode in their lives.