After teasing it for the better part of a day, Ariana Grande released the “surprise” single, “Thank U, Next,” last night. The single aims at being an anthem about self-healing and growth after relationships end.
Interestingly, Ariana decided to name all four of her exes – Pete Davidson, Mac Miller, Ricky Alvarez and Big Sean – in the lyrics of the song. In another surprise, based on a cryptic tweet Ariana also made last night, “Thank U, Next” looks like it will also be the title track of Ariana’s upcoming fifth studio album, which the singer suggested is already nearly done.
We have Ariana’s new song below.
The exact timing of the release late last night seemed deliberate, as Ariana posted links to the track immediately prior the airing of this week’s live episode of Saturday Night Live. Earlier in the week, Ariana’s most recent ex, Pete Davidson, joked a little about his failed engagement to her in a promotional ad for the show.
Later reports indicated that Ariana was reportedly “very hurt” that Pete was mentioning their relationship at all to hype his show. So the release of the song right before SNL might have been a way for Ariana to share her own views prior to Pete having the opportunity to share his before a national audience.
The main verses of the song are very specific to her exes –
Thought I’d end up with Sean
But he wasn’t a match
Wrote some songs about Ricky
Now I listen and laugh
Even almost got married
And for Pete I’m so thankful
Wish I could say thank you to Malcolm
Cause he was an Angel
***
One taught me love
One taught me patience
And one taught me pain
Now I’m so amazing
Say I’ve loved and I’ve lost
But that’s not what I see
So look what I got
Look what you taught me
And for that I say
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so f**king grateful for my ex.
It’s hard to say for sure which “lesson” Pete Davidson taught to Ariana. However, many of Ariana’s fans on social media seem to feel that he’s the ex that taught her “patience” … as the lesson that she may have taken away from their rushed engagement was that people need to take time and be careful in making life-commitments in order to get them right.
The song debuted at #1 on iTunes Worldwide songs chart and has remained steadily there since release.
(Image source: Ariana Grande Instagram account)
