With the recent release of "Thank U, Next," [1] Ariana Grande [2] is taking no prisoners. The breakup anthem [3] mentions several of her famous exes [4] by name, including ex-fiance Pete Davidson [5]. Like many writers, Grande often follows that old rule: write what you know. [6] Or, in this case, who. It's got us thinking about all her other songs and who that music might be about. She's penned everything from love songs inspired by her real-life romances to the kinds of call-outs we wish we thought of. Here's a brief guide to all the people who inspired some of Grande's biggest hits.
"No Tears Left to Cry"
In the aftermath of the Manchester bombing, Grande wrote "No Tears Left to Cry" as a reaction to the tragedy. The music video ends with an image of a bee, the city's symbol. After the song's release, Grande said [7], "I hope this song brings you light and comfort, but also makes you wanna dance and live ya best life! "
"Better Off"
Grande dated Mac Miller from 2016 to early 2018, and while their relationship had some adorable moments [8], she also noted that it was "toxic" [9] at times due to his issues with sobriety. "Better Off" is an iconic breakup anthem about their split. It's not the only time Miller has been referenced in her music: her new track "Thank U, Next" has a decidedly sweeter take on their relationship, with her commenting she wishes she could "say thank you" to him.
"True Love"
In "Thank U, Next," Grande has a lyric that goes, "Wrote some songs about Ricky / Now I listen and laugh." She's talking about ex Ricky Alvarez, who she dated from 2015 to 2016. This 2015 track, "True Love," is widely believed to be about their relationship, which apparently ended pretty amicably: they joked on social media about how she gave him the "bad" line in "Thank U, Next"!
"Moonlight"
Another song inspired by her relationship with Alvarez, "Moonlight" is Grande at her most romantic. Supposedly [10], "Moonlight" is a reference to her first kiss with Alvarez.
"Pete Davidson"
This is about as self-explanatory as it gets. Following the surprise over her whirlwind romance and engagement to Davidson, Grande wrote this track for her album "Sweetener." In the lyrics, she declares that he's her "soulmate and all that" and that the "universe must have my back" to bring them together. It's a sweet track, although maybe more bittersweet in hindsight.
"Break Your Heart Right Back"
We don't know the exact identity of the guy who inspired this one, but there's quite a story behind it! When "Break Your Heart Right Back" first dropped in 2014, Grande told the Huffington Post [11] that it was about a boy who cheats on his girlfriend with another guy, and that it's probably based on a real ex of hers. "It's really funny because I believe it has happened to me. I'm not 100 percent positive, but I'm 99.9 percent positive!" she said.
"Breathin"
This one took Grande fans some serious digging [12] to figure out. At the start of the song, there's some distorted audio that sounds just like jumbled nonsense. When played backwards, though, it's a recording of her late grandfather telling her, "Tonight is your special night, do something magical." We're not crying, you are.