Ariana Grande’s new single, "Thank U, Next," is good. Really, really good. Maybe even the best song of her career. And not just because of its infectious hook and uplifting melody. It is the perfect self love // gratitude anthem for our self love movement.
After a very public broken engagement, and the sudden loss of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller, it would have been very easy for her to come out with a traditional heartbreak anthem burning her exes. But instead of dwelling on the negative, Ariana handles loss on multiple levels with inspiring grace and self love, and shifts her perspective to focus on gratitude. She thanks her exes for the lessons they’ve taught her, and explains how she’s learning to love herself instead. Instead of dwelling on what she has lost, she’s focusing on what she has found: a stronger version of herself. Through gratitude, she is able to find self love.
Ariana’s ability to write this beautiful gratitude anthem in a matter of weeks is proof that when you take the time to feel your feelings and embrace them, creativity flows. Let’s take a lesson from Ariana and learn from our experiences, focus on the good, and embrace the future with grace, self love and gratitude.
The best part of this anthem? Ari knew it was going to be a hit and says so in the lyrics. She's right, it is. And she deserves it.
Thank U, Next Lyrics:
[Verse 1]
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
[Pre-Chorus]
One taught me love
One taught me patience
And one taught me pain
Now, I'm so amazing
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
[Chorus]
Thank you, next (Next)
Thank you, next (Next)
Thank you, next
I'm so fuckin' grateful for my ex
Thank you, next (Next)
Thank you, next (Next)
Thank you, next (Next)
I'm so fuckin'—
[Verse 2]
Spend more time with my friends
I ain't worried 'bout nothin'
Plus, I met someone else
We havin' 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 (So good with that)
[Pre-Chorus]
She taught me love (Love)
She taught me patience (Patience)
How she handles pain (Pain)
That shit's amazing (Yeah, she's amazing)
I've loved and I've lost (Yeah, yeah)
But that's not what I see (Yeah, yeah)
'Cause look what I've found (Yeah, yeah)
Ain't no need for searching, and for that, I say
[Chorus]
Thank you, next (Thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Thank you)
I'm so fuckin' grateful for my ex
Thank you, next (Thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Said thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Next)
I'm so fuckin' grateful for my ex
[Post-Chorus]
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
I'm so fucking—
[Bridge]
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 shit last
God forbid something happens
Least this song is a smash (Song is a smash)
[Pre-Chorus]
I've got so much love (Love)
Got so much patience (Patience)
I've learned from the pain (Pain)
I turned out amazing (Turned out amazing)
I've loved and I've lost (Yeah, yeah)
But that's not what I see (Yeah, yeah)
'Cause look what I've found (Yeah, yeah)
Ain't no need for searching
And for that, I'll say
[Chorus]
Thank you, next (Thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Thank you, next)
Thank you, next
I'm so fuckin' grateful for my ex
Thank you, next (Thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Said thank you, next)
Thank you, next (Next)
I'm so fuckin' grateful for my ex
[Post-Chorus]
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
Yeah, yee
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
Thank you, next
Yeah, yee
Need a reminder to practice self love daily? We got you.