Ariana Grande’s 10 Best Songs

Consequence Staff
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There are some people who open their mouth to sing and, immediately, the listener knows that it’s what they were put on this earth to do. Ariana Grande is one of those people, whose voice is so staggeringly and intuitively great that it’s impossible to imagine any other life path for her. With powerhouse vocals packed into a tiny frame, there’s something addictive and inherently watchable about seeing Ariana Grande perform.

It’s probably part of why casting directors were so enchanted when she, a kid from Florida without any major prior credits, auditioned for (and booked an ensemble role in) the short-lived Broadway run of 13: The Musical, a Jason Robert Brown endeavor that launched the careers not only of Grande but fellow future Nickelodeon co-star Elizabeth Gillies. The two made the most of their time in the Victoria Justice vehicle Victorious, singing circles around anyone else onscreen, before Grande used the teen program as a launching pad for her next steps.

After Ariana Grande: Proper Pop Star was officially born, her momentum didn’t stop. She commanded the radio and eased into the streaming era, finding collaborators with whom she could nurture her gifts. She’s developed a reputation as someone who is incredibly meticulous in the studio, layering her own vocals, writing and re-writing her own harmonies on the spot, and creating music that allows her to explore her own story while always keeping that once-in-a-generation voice front and center.

From her debut, full-length album in 2013 (My Everything) to 2020’s Positions, Ariana Grande has solidified her place in the pop history books. With so many bops and ballads to work through, the task of narrowing down to just ten is incredibly difficult — what of her many collaborations, like “The Way” with the late Mac Miller? What about gems like Dangerous Woman‘s innovative “Knew Better/Forever Boy,” or Sweetener‘s “Goodnight and Go?”

What a gift that there were so many wonderful songs to choose from (we couldn’t get too greedy, if you will), and what a good problem for it to be so difficult to lock down a ranking.

— Mary Siroky
Contributing Editor

10. “One Last Time”

Ariana Grande in 2014 was a different Ariana Grande. With only a single, albeit quite successful, album under her belt and not yet removed from her perception as a teen Nickelodeon star (Victorious ended in early 2013, with the Grande-led spinoff Sam & Cat calling it quits in mid-2014), she wasn’t yet a dangerous woman, a celebrity heartbreaker, or a pop icon — but she was getting there.

The grand(e) success of both Yours Truly and My Everything had already begun to hint towards a post-Nickelodeon career for Grande, but it was the strength of cuts like “One Last Time” that made it seem inevitable. Almost a decade on, it might reek of the early 2010s, but its EDM-influenced beat and flawless vocal performance make it obvious why it was (and still is) so beloved by Ariana stans.

Of course, the track took on a new meaning after its charitable re-release as a response to the tragic Manchester Arena Bombing. Its mix of melancholy and triumph resonated with the healing fanbase, reminding the community of its strength and resilience. — Jonah Krueger

09. “34+35”

In the hands of a less dedicated artist, “34+35” could have easily descended into less clever and far more low-brow territory. In the hands of Ariana Grande, the no holds barred and wildly playful 2020 single off Positions feels luxurious, empowering, and just ridiculously fun. Things peak at the addictive bridge, which leaves anyone listening in the dust playing catch-up on the first listen and the hundredth.

Everything about Positions was a whole lot of fun, and primarily saw the artist exploring her sexuality more explicitly than ever before. It worked better in some places than others, with “34+35” maybe being the pinnacle of it all. It hasn’t lost its charm in the few years since its release and is still just as bouncy and thrilling to hear when it comes on. Get ready to dance, or seduce your partner, or lock the doors — maybe all of the above, and in that order. — M.S.

08. “positions”

Grande gives in to the intoxicating push and pulls of her crush, and she’s not afraid to admit that she’s “jumpin’ through hoops” for them. Her enchanting vocals and quintessential whistle tones make for a classic Ariana Grande pop-perfected single as she reveals her unwavering commitment to her lover on “positions.”

“positions” was the track that triumphantly announced Grande’s homecoming after a few years since the release of thank u, next. Aside from being the title track and the lead single for the record, the playful song set the tone for her sixth studio album, emulating the flirty aura that has put her (and kept her) at the forefront of the pop landscape. — Kelly Park

07. “Love Me Harder (feat. The Weeknd)”

“Love Me Harder,” one of the shining beacons on Ariana Grande’s second studio album, My Everything, is not only one of her best collaborative tracks to date, it’s a brilliant slice of seductive pop. In the same Max Martin vein as Taylor Swift’s “Style” and Drake’s “Hold On, We’re Going Home,” “Love Me Harder” is a time capsule to the sound of pop in 2014, with a throbbing synth line and hazy, sensual atmospherics taking the lead.

At the center of “Love Me Harder” is an irresistible duet from Grande and The Weeknd — perhaps the best part of the song arrives in the bridge, where The Weeknd slyly asks, “So what do I do if I can’t figure it out?” Grande’s answer at first is to “try, try, try again,” but then reminds him that if he can’t, she’s gonna leave.

It’s a statement of sexual agency and desire, but it’s one that smartly positioned Ariana Grande as a unique foil to The Weeknd’s fast-rising dark R&B sound. She could be dark and risqué, too — but even her most racy tracks maintain an alluring air of sweetness. — Paolo Ragusa

06. “pov”

As one of Ariana’s most recent b-sides, “pov” has quickly cemented itself as one of her most essential, too. Our resident pop princess has often indulged in all things romantic, eager to spend time in a fairytale of her own design, and the achingly loving “pov” does just that. It’s a relatable narrative that she weaves here — she yearns to see herself the way her lover does, craving the ability to view her faults and shortcomings through their more forgiving eyes.

More than its lyrical and thematic beauty, “pov” also offers one of the best showcases of Grande’s trademark belt in recent years. Positions saw the artist explore some slinkier places, resting on heavy beats and her lower register rather than her soaring whistle tones. As the closer of the album, “pov” ensures that the record doesn’t go by without giving the listeners what we sometimes crave most from Ariana Grande, which is her always incredible vocal strength. — M.S.

05. “no tears left to cry”

“no tears left to cry” is one of Ariana Grande’s most fascinating experiments. When you look at the song in fragments, its yearning chorus feels completely alien to the driving, candy-coated verses. This is almost certainly on purpose; Grande and her talented team of co-writers have always had an affinity for multi-dimensional pop that transcends style and genre. But the song also exists as a massive statement piece from Grande — after a horrific bombing took place at her concert in Manchester in 2017, you can only imagine the emotional toll this took on her on psyche.

The incident undoubtedly made its way into the writing process for Sweetener, and on “no tears left to cry,” she rises from the ashes, taking a passionate, ballad-esque hook and letting it give way to a resilient, euphoric dance number. She’s singing confidently about being in an unburdened state of mind, ready to conquer whatever comes next, but that trace of sadness never quite dissipates. It’s a powerful lesson from Grande: sometimes, even when there are no tears left to cry and you’re ready to move on, the pain of the past can be inseparable from the joy of the future. — P.R.

04. “7 rings”

While Liesl von Trapp’s favorite things were “bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens,” Grande’s are “lashes, diamonds, and ATM machines.” There is no task too daunting for the pop sensation — even repurposing the classic Rogers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” into a three-minute pop song tinged with rap influence.

“7 rings” is characteristic of the unapologetic era that her fifth studio album, thank u, next, enters. While the artist typically leans into the sweet voice that her fans might be familiar with — her previous studio album is literally titled Sweetener — “7 rings” embraces the unapologetic aura that she introduces to her sizable discography. — K.P.

03. “Into You”

“Into You” is Ariana Grande with no holds barred, a love potion in sonic form. Grande is an earworm master, and “Into You” is no exception — it’s the artist at her dance floor-ready best, and it’s as intoxicating as it is irresistible: “I’m so into you, I can barely breathe.” It’s an open declaration of amour, a sultry and enticing invitation of a “come and get me” number that’s so shamelessly flirty. The third single off of 2016’s Dangerous Woman, it could still very well hold up as the album’s strongest, and its throbbing, signature Max Martin production is reminiscent of her previous album My Everything, but its shimmering EDM beats still felt refreshed and new.

Grande co-wrote “Into You” with Martin, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Ilya, and it covers all the fronts of a number dabbling in dance-pop, house, electro, and everything in between. It’s both cinematic and joyous, and just a clear flex of Grande’s vocal ability, her range spanning two octaves. Like it’s hard?!

Grande wears her heart on her sleeve lyrically throughout the entire song, and the classic line of “a little less conversation and a little more touch my body” are possible references to both Elvis Presley and Mariah Carey. Both artists are music royalty, and on “Into You,” Grande firmly asserted herself as a reigning pop monarch. — Cady Siregar 

02. “Dangerous Woman”

The journey that “Dangerous Woman” went through before landing with Ariana Grande might be surprising to some — the track was originally written with country queen Carrie Underwood in mind, and was pitched to Alicia Keys and Rihanna before landing with Ari. And thank goodness it did — while the aforementioned powerhouse artists would have undoubtedly created compelling renditions of their own, Grande ended up loving the track so much that her third studio album after the song.

It’s easy to get drunk on “Dangerous Woman,” a woozy, seductive anthem. The atmospheric R&B sound gave a peek into the sound that Grande would lean much further into in recent years, but, at the time, established her as a mature force to be reckoned with. The waltz tempo evokes a sense of drama, which is another arena in which Ariana Grande excels.

If listeners weren’t sold on the studio version, which features her soaring vocals hitting stratospheric levels in the final chorus, let the equally iconic live a capella version make the final sell. She rips through the song while pacing back and forth, as though singing like this comes as naturally to her as breathing — which is maybe true. — M.S.

01. “thank u, next”

Somehow, Ariana Grande figured out how to be an empowered woman, an empathetic ex-lover, and a bad bitch all at once. The mix of emotions featured on “thank u, next,” not to mention its killer hook, not only qualifies it as the best song Grande has ever released but one of the best breakup songs ever written. It’s not bitter, but it also doesn’t long for the past. It pays tribute to ex-lovers in a way that’s respectful, but ready to move on.

Pete Davidson drama aside, the message is simple and quietly poignant. In fact, it’s the specificity of Grande’s lyrics that allows the song to resonate so universally. Everyone has an ex that taught them lessons of love, patience, or pain, and by name-dropping, Grande comes across as more genuine, more vulnerable than most mega-stars are willing to be.

At its heart, “thank u, next” is a song about growth. “’Cause her name is Ari,” she sings of her newfound self-love, “And I’m so good with that.” And while the track might seem like it focuses on failed attempts at romance, Grande is really setting herself up for another attempt. “One day I’ll walk down the aisle,” Grande sings, ”Only wanna do it once, real bad.” If her married life with Dalton Gomez is going as well as it seems, she might just have fulfilled her self-written prophecy. — J.K.

Ariana Grande’s 10 Best Songs Playlist:

Ariana Grande’s 10 Best Songs
Consequence Staff

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