All the Secrets and Theories Surrounding Ariana Grande's Album "Thank U, Next"
Ariana Grande’s long-awaited fifth studio album, thank u, next, is almost here. With every day that passes leading up to its impending release, it seems as though more and more fan theories begin to emerge about Ari’s new music — and hidden details from Ari herself, of course. From the reason behind her black lipstick on the album cover to the cute story that inspired “7 Rings,” you can always count on Ariana to come prepared with plenty of easter eggs.
Given that we still have some time to wait (thank u, next doesn’t come out until February 8), let’s break down all of the theories, teasers, and secrets surrounding Ari’s fifth album so far. My own personal theory? She obviously never sleeps — except when shooting her album covers, that is.
We know what some of the songs are about…and what they aren’t.
After Ari revealed the track list, fans inevitably got pretty curious about the meaning behind the songs. While responding to fans on Twitter, Ariana explained that “in my head” was written about “being in love w a version of somebody you've created in your head.” Makes sense, TBH.
As for her other tracks, Ari says that “bloodline” is about “wanting somebody but not enough to have them in your bloodline,” while “ghostin” deals with “feeling badly for the person you're with bc you love somebody else. feeling badly bc he can tell he can't compare.”
Oh, and as for “NASA” — you can put those Pete Davidson theories away. Ari’s friend and collaborator Victoria Monét shut down any rumors real fast by writing: “Yo I promise we did not write a whole song about this man’s shirt.”
The release date could have a major significance.
As pointed out by @PopCrave, Ariana Grande is releasing thank u, next exactly five months and 22 days after her previous album, Sweetener. The numbers 522 hold an important meaning to Ariana and her fans, as the tragic bombing at her Manchester concert took place on May 22, 2017. This wouldn't be the first time those numbers made an appearance; after the release of Sweetener, fans noticed that the album closer “Get Well Soon” was five minutes and 22 seconds long. Coincidence? Probably not, given how Ariana loves to hide tiny details in her work — and she’s been consistently open about how much the bombing affected her.
There are even little details hidden in her album cover.
Ariana recently explained that she chose to wear black lipstick on the thank u, next cover art as a tribute to her mom, Joan Grande. While revealing the inspiration on Twitter, Ari added that she hopes she can “can be half as fly and wonderful and graceful” as Joan is.
The “Imagine” singer also called attention to a pattern in her album covers; Ari is often photographed in a “sleeping” pose. Plenty of Arianators were ready to celebrate the return to an iconic image, with one fan reacting accordingly: “We are back to the ‘eyes closed’ era... we had to stan.”
Other fans just couldn’t help but make Stranger Things jokes.
Is Ari actually trapped in the Upside Down, à la Stranger Things? Possible.
Another single is on its way.
Despite dropping three songs from the album already (“thank u, next,” “imagine,” and “7 rings”), Ari seems to already have the next one in mind — or so she told a fan on Twitter. As for the Arianators, they seem to be split; a lot of them are hoping to hear “needy,” while others are keeping their fingers crossed for “NASA.” Decisions, decisions.
There aren’t any collabs on the album — and the mood is unlike anything we’ve heard before.
Ari confirmed on Twitter that thank u, next won’t feature any duets or collabs with other artists. And from her December 2018 interview with Billboard, it’s clear that her fifth album is going to introduce an entirely new era. Ari explained that thank u, next was the result of a lot of “feminine energy and champagne and music and laughter and crying,” adding that it’s “not particularly uplifting. A lot of it sounds really upbeat, but it’s actually a super sad chapter.”
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