Ariana Grande Is ‘Grateful for Her Ex’ on New Song ‘thank u, next’ (LISTEN + LYRICS)
Ariana Grande is wasting no time when it comes to her fifth studio album.
The pop star, who has been dropping AG5 sneak peeks and hints for weeks, smack dab in the middle of promotion for her current new album, Sweetener, finally satiated fans with the very first taste of the upcoming record Saturday evening (November 3).
Previously teased on Twitter, Grande surprise-released "thank u, next" at 11 PM EST, delivering an intimate R&B jam listing off the reasons why she's "thankful" for her past relationships, all while name-dropping real-life exes.
The empowering track, which references by name her breakup with ex-fiancé Pete Davidson and late ex-boyfriend Mac Miller among other exes, was released just minutes before NBC's airing of Saturday Night Live, which stars Davidson.
Earlier this week, Grande slammed the comedian with a series of subtweets on Twitter after he cracked a joke about their failed engagement during an SNL promo.
"thank u, next," she wrote in one since-deleted tweet, coyly referencing her new song as well as hinting that she's moved on from both her short-lived relationship with Davidson and other previous relationships.
Listen, below:
Read the full lyrics to Ariana Grande's "thank u, next," below:
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
(HOOK)
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so f---ing grateful for my ex
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so f---ing...
Spend more time with my friends
I ain’t worried bout nothing
Plus I met someone else
We having better discussions
I know they say I move on too fast
But this one gon’ last
Cause her name is Ari
And I’m so good with that
She taught me love
She taught me patience
How she handles pain
That s---’s amazing
I’ve loved and I’ve lost
But that’s not what I see
Cause look what I found
Ain’t no need for searching
And for that I say
(HOOK)
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so f---ing grateful for my ex
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so f---ing grateful for my ex
Thank u next
Thank u next
Thank u next
I’m so f---ing...
One day I’ll walk down the aisle
Holding hands with my mama
I’ll be thanking my dad
Cause she grew from the drama
Only wanna do it once real bad
Gon’ make that s--- last
God forbid something happens
Least this song is a smash
I got so much love
Got so much patience
I’ve learned from the pain
Turned out amazing
Say I’ve loved and I’ve lost
But that’s not what I see
Cause look what I got
Ain’t no need for searching
And for that I say
(HOOK)
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so fucking grateful for my ex
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so f---ing grateful for my ex
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Yeah
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Yeah