Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed With "All That Matters"
You remember 2013. Justin Bieber was everywhere, but not always for the right reasons. He was transitioning from the "Baby" bowl-cut era into something much grittier, and frankly, a bit more chaotic. Amidst the headlines of mop buckets and Great Wall of China antics, he dropped a song that basically froze time for his fans. Justin Bieber all that matters lyrics weren't just another pop hook; they were a public confession.
Most people think it’s just a sweet R&B track. It's not. It’s actually a window into a very specific, high-stakes relationship that was imploding in real-time.
The Selena Factor: Let's Get Real
Let’s not beat around the bush. When Bieber sings, "You're all that matters to me," he isn't talking about a hypothetical muse. He has since confirmed in interviews, specifically with Power 106 FM back in December 2013, that the song was written when he was in a "great place" with his ex-girlfriend, Selena Gomez.
The lyrics are honestly pretty raw.
"What's a king bed without a queen?"
It sounds like a cheesy pickup line, but for a 19-year-old kid living in a literal mansion alone, it was a genuine plea for stability. He was trying to say that despite the private jets and the millions of dollars, the only thing that gave him a sense of "wholeness" was her.
Why the Lyrics Hit Differently Now
- The "Journals" Era: This wasn't a radio-engineered hit. It was part of his "Music Mondays" series, where he released a new track every week. It felt like we were reading his private diary.
- The Vocal Shift: If you listen closely, his voice sounds different—raspier, more tired, and definitely more mature than the Believe album.
- The Production: Working with Poo Bear changed everything. They moved away from synth-pop and dove headfirst into 90s-style slow jams.
That Viral Great Wall Video
You might remember the "Music Video" for this song being a bit... weird. It wasn't a big-budget Hollywood production. It was mostly footage of him at the Great Wall of China.
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There was a massive controversy at the time because photos leaked of his bodyguards literally carrying him up the stairs of the Wall. People called him a diva. They said he was out of touch. But then the video for "All That Matters" dropped, and it used that trip as a backdrop. It was directed by Alfredo Flores and felt more like a home movie than a professional shoot.
The contrast was wild. On one hand, you had the media portraying him as a spoiled brat. On the other, the Justin Bieber all that matters lyrics were painting a picture of a guy who was desperately lonely and just wanted his "queen" back.
Breaking Down the Lyrics: More Than Just a Love Song
The song is built on a very simple acoustic guitar riff. It’s sparse. That’s intentional. It forces you to listen to the words.
"Grateful for your existence / Faithful no matter the distance"
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In 2013, Justin and Selena were constantly apart due to tours. This line was a direct message to her. He was trying to prove he could be "the one" despite the madness of his lifestyle.
But then there's the darker side. Bieber mentioned in the iTunes description for the song that while love makes you feel whole, the "void you feel when love goes away is gut-wrenching."
This song is basically a time capsule of a man trying to hold onto a relationship that was already slipping through his fingers. He wasn't just singing to the fans; he was singing to an audience of one.
What Most People Get Wrong
People often lump this song in with his generic love ballads. That's a mistake. "All That Matters" is actually a pivot point in R&B history for the 2010s. It proved that a pop star could make "legit" R&B without it feeling like a gimmick.
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It wasn't about "swag" or being a "heartbreaker" (which was the previous single). It was about vulnerability. He was admitting that he was incomplete. For a guy who was the biggest star on the planet, admitting you need someone else to feel like a person is a huge deal.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Listeners
If you're going back to listen to this track today, do these three things to get the full experience:
- Listen to the "Journals" album in order. "Heartbreaker" sets the stage, but "All That Matters" is the emotional anchor.
- Watch the Cailin Russo music video. Not the China one—the official one with the model. The chemistry is intense, and it shows the "Lothario" side of Bieber that he was trying to balance with the sensitive lyrics.
- Pay attention to the background vocals. The layering here is top-tier R&B. It's subtle, but it's what makes the song feel so "warm" and "comforting," as critics at the time noted.
The legacy of "All That Matters" isn't just about a celebrity breakup. It’s about the moment Justin Bieber decided to stop being a "product" and start being an artist. He took the mess of his personal life and turned it into something that still resonates over a decade later. It’s raw, it’s a little bit desperate, and honestly, that’s why it still works.
To truly understand the evolution of this sound, you should compare the vocal production of this track to his later work on the Changes album. You'll notice that the "stripped-back" feel of Journals became the blueprint for his entire adult career. Try listening to "All That Matters" followed immediately by "Intentions"—the growth in his confidence is staggering, but the R&B DNA remains exactly the same.