Like any other college-age female (yes, I may play into a stereotype or two), I love a bangin' Ariana Grande song at almost any time day or night. With her two latest albums, "Sweetener" and "Thank You, Next", she's simply been making music that is nothing but... "Successful" -wink wink. All puns aside, Ariana's hits are everything from karaoke night winners to those songs that make you ugly cry in the car; that's part of what makes her albums relatable and enjoyable overall. Here are five lyrics that I've pulled from Ari's two latest albums to take a closer look into why we keep these songs on repeat.
1. "Get Well Soon"
"My life is so controlled by the what-ifs... Is there anybody else whose mind does this?" We may find ourselves stuck in this repeating situation: feeling like we can't do something because of the theoretical outcomes we create or simply the idea of not knowing what will happen. Overthinking paired with life's anxieties and stressors can easily put us in a frozen state when we aren't sure of what to do. The overall calming vibe of "Get Well Soon" puts the listener at ease with the lyrics making it known that everyone in some way or another has felt controlled by life's uncertainty, Ari included, and that you need to focus on your well being because you will make it through.
2. "7 Rings"
"Breakfast at Tiffany's and bottles of bubbles. Girls with tattoos who like getting in trouble. Lashes and diamonds, ATM machines. Buy myself all of my favorite things." The nostalgia in "7 Rings" is at an all time high for me (growing up listening to the original queen of vocal range, Julie Andrews herself) hearing the familiar tune of "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music" was a sweet surprise the first time I heard Ariana's track. This song is more of a hype-me-up mood than a heartstring puller but nonetheless is still on my top playlist. Even though she's not into schnitzel with noodles or bright copper kettles, Ariana brings a welcomed twist to a classic tune to create a boss babe anthem to bring out our inner millionaires.
3. "In My Head"
"Here's the thing... You're in love with a version of a person that you've created in your head that you are trying to but cannot fix... the only thing you can fix is yourself. I love you, this has gone on way too long. Enough is enough." These lines are not truly a lyric, but a spoken voicemail played before a single note even begins for the song, "In My Head". Brutally honest, yet loving words from a friend of Ariana may be exactly what she, and sometimes ourselves, need to hear. In the blur of life and romance, we may mistakenly sugar coat relationships and fantasize who people genuinely are. It's alright to acknowledge that it's gone too far and that you need change to do what's best for your health and happiness. Ariana helps us hear that message loud and clear.
4. "Needy"
"I' ma scream and shout for what I love. Passionate but I don't give no f***s." Choosing one phrase from stanza after stanza of relatable lyrics in "Needy" was tough. However, this quote shortly sums up what it is like to be conflicted when you feel like you need someone else in your life. At times we can feel that they're all we want to make us happy, but at the same time, don't want that to be the case; so we act that we don't care or distance ourselves. What's beautiful about Ariana's song is that she admits to the fact that she's needy and wants attention from the person she loves, but that she doesn't want to put the extra weight that this may bring onto them. This is a conflict that regular people feel all the time, and "Needy" wraps this up in a melancholy but lovely track, showing the ups and downs that come from being so attached to someone else and wanting to feel needed yourself.
5. "Breathin"
"Feel my blood runnin', swear the sky's fallin'. How do I know if this sh**'s fabricated? Oh. Time goes by and I can't control my mind. Don't know what else to try, but you tell me every time... Just keep breathin'." Aside from being an all around bop, "Breathin" helps vocalize what so many of us struggle with when deciphering if our worries are truly relevant or if they are just anxieties getting the best of us. The idea presented in Ariana's lyrics that there's someone in her life who reminds her to breathe and simply keep on going is wonderful, but I encourage you to strive to be able to do some of that encouragement and reassurance yourself. Having someone to fill that role is all well and fine, but having the strength to be able to do that for yourself is liberating. It may not be obtainable all the time, and that's perfectly alright, but I challenge you to keep breathing and keep going for yourself. Though it may not always feel like it, there are people featuring on your track who truly want to see you thrive -including Ms. Grande and me.
