The Best Ariana Grande Songs

After the release of her best album yet, 'thank u, next,' Ariana Grande's catalog is stronger than ever. Here’s our list of the very best Ariana Grande songs.

ariana grande getty kevin mazur
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Image via Getty/Kevin Mazur

ariana grande getty kevin mazur

If pop music was a foot race, everybody would be eating Ariana Grande’s dust right about now. Following the long-waited drop of her fourth studio album Sweetener in 2018, we witnessed history with the release of her first No. 1 single “thank u, next” and the announcement of yet another LP in the works. Grande ended the year on an even higher note (a whistle-tone, actually) with “imagine,” the second single from her new wave of soul and R&B-infused pop music. But the gag didn’t stop there. Before finally releasing the highly anticipated thank u, next project, Ari gave us one last taste of what was to come with “7 rings,” a song that stirred up excitement and controversy all at once.

It’s no secret that Grande’s music isn’t the only contributing factor in her recent attention from the media. Her personal life became a spectacle out of the blue: Her relationship with Pete Davidson, the untimely death of Mac Miller, and even her Twitter beefs made headlines across the internet.

Regardless of the press whirlwind she endured, Grande managed to come out on top with the release of her fifth studio album, forcing drama-lovers everywhere to put aside her private affairs and focus on her career success. Not only is thank u, next slotted for its second week as the No.1 album on the Billboard 200 chart, but Grande is the first artist since 1964 to hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100 with “7 rings,” “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored,” and “thank u, next”—a feat last accomplished by The Beatles.

It’s safe to say that Ari and her massive fan base are prepping for total world domination as the Sweetener World Tour kicks off on March 18th. With two brand new albums to showcase, it’ll be interesting to see which songs from the early chapters of her career will make the setlist cut. In case you need a refresher on Grande’s top tracks, here’s a list of the best Ariana Grande songs.

25. "You'll Never Know"

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Album: Yours Truly

Producer: Babyface, The Rascals, & Antonio Dixon

“You’ll Never Know” was an early, twinkling pop jam that combined synths with a killer drum beat for a song that could’ve easily been pulled from a ‘90s bubblegum pop album. It’s a downright cute track that will make you want to bounce no matter when or where it comes on, and it helps us to fondly remember our introduction to Ari as an emerging pop superstar.

24. "Dangerous Woman"

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Album: Dangerous Woman

Producer: Max Martin & John Carlsson

Bunny ears are back, and they’re hot now. The title track from Dangerous Woman packed a different sound than we had ever heard from Grande. Pop, R&B, and just a touch of swing all blend perfectly with Ari’s vocals, which soar over rock-guitar riffs and hard-hitting choruses. The swelling highs and lows make for a dramatic song that landed a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance, and the video she released singing an acapella version while dressed in a leather bunny outfit deserves an Oscar.

23. "Knew Better/Forever Boy"

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Album: Dangerous Woman

Producer: Tommy "TBHits" Brown & Matthew Tedder

We love a 2-for-1 deal, and Grande gave us exactly that with “Knew Better/Forever Boy.” This bonus track, from the deluxe version of Dangerous Woman, is a combo hit that tells a story, starting off with an alluringly slow beat before gracefully transitioning into a rolling, up-tempo love song. It’s technically meant to be two songs packed into one track, but Ari released “Knew Better Part Two” on her SoundCloud after demands for an extended version of the track’s first half started pouring in.

22. "in my head"

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Album: thank u, next

Producer: NOVA WAV, Happy Perez, and Andrew "Pop" Wansel

“in my head” is a real testament to Grande’s dedication to a fresh start, as it falls right in line with the new sound she introduced with her first singles from thank u, next. Blending your standard synthetic drum beat into a fresh take on an R&B melody wasn’t enough; Grande had to switch her flow in the chorus from a dreamy, ascending high note into a plucky little breakup anthem with just a touch of shade (“Look at you/Boy, I invented you/Gucci tennis shoes/Runnin’ from your issues”). Perfectly tied together with a pulsing outro that unwinds into an echo, this track is exactly what we were hoping for with a new era of Ari.

21. "Be Alright"

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Album: Dangerous Woman

Producer: Tommy "TBHits" Brown & Twice as Nice

When that chorus groove hits, it’s over for y’all. “Be Alright” was released as the first promotional single for Dangerous Woman; in hindsight, it was the perfect introduction to Ari’s newfound deep house sound. With the perfect combination of smooth vocal handovers and buoyant dance vibes, this track was some of Grande’s best work in 2016.

20. "One Last Time"

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Album: My Everything

Producer: Carl Falk & Rami

“One Last Time” was just a taste of what became Grande’s experimental EDM-blended pop sounds, which were all the rage among radio DJs in 2014. The persistent keyboard melody and ground-thumping chorus are perfectly balanced by Ari’s signature vocals, and the track marks a pivotal moment in her ascent to the top of the modern pop music hierarchy. 

19. "needy"

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Album: thank u, next

Producer: TBHits

Only Ari could take something as basic as a quarter note beat and turn it into a beautiful cadence. “needy” is to thank u, next what “Moonlight” was to Dangerous Woman—that is, a softened look at Grande’s musicality. It’s got a touch of swing with interludes of snaps and choir vocals, but the understated driving melody pushes the song without feeling forced. With its swift wrap-up and no over-the-top theatrics, this track could’ve been a monumental album opener, but we’ll let it slide this time.

18. "sweetener"

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Album: Sweetener

Producer: Pharrell Williams

The title track from Grande’s new album is rhythmic, catchy, and, as the name suggests, very sweet. Pharrell Williams’ work as a producer shines through vibrantly on “sweetener”—his signature, melodic rap style punctuates the chorus, where bumping, repetitive lines are bound to get stuck in your head. Perfectly balanced with sultry verses, this track is truly the musical equivalent of eating your favorite treat. Now get your minds out of the gutter.

17. "Moonlight"

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Album: Dangerous Woman

Producer: Tommy "TBHits" Brown

This ballad that served as the opening track for Dangerous Woman is one of Ariana’s softest songs that maintains its pop foundation. “Moonlight” is a poetic, almost whimsical love song with a light blues swing that you could hear on a Gondola ride without a second thought. Grande kicked off her second album with the ultimate display of her vocal control, from soft whispers to the full-blown wails that made us Ari stans in the first place.

16. "no tears left to cry"

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Album: Sweetener

Producer: Ilya Salmanzadeh & Max Martin

The debut single from Sweetener gave us everything: beautiful vocals, a sexy hook, and an absolutely delusional music video. “no tears left to cry” not only revealed Grande’s new all-lowercase style (shoutout to bell hooks), but further advanced the luxurious pop vibes we got on Dangerous Woman. It’s another example of how Grande seamlessly transitions from those blues-y, deep rhythms into modern, upbeat synth pop without skipping a beat—and we mean that literally. Note how Grande sings “I’m picking it up, picking it up” while the beat actually picks up. Ugh, her mind.

15. "ghostin"

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Album: thank u, next

Producer: ILYA & Max Martin

Every album has a soft spot, and “ghostin” might be the softest of them all on thank u, next. Immediate speculation from fans that the song is about Mac Miller and Pete Davidson overshadowed the work itself, but we’re here to serve musical justice. Grande’s glorious vocals are the driving force behind the ballad. Aside from some soaring synths eventually joined by orchestral strings, Ariana is left to her own devices with an aching melody that still manages to fill whatever space it’s played in. It’s the emotional album moment that reminds us where Grande’s heart lies in pure musical grandeur.

14. "Be My Baby" f/ Cashmere Cat

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Album: My Everything

Producer: benny blanco, Lido, & Cashmere Cat

This collab with Cashmere Cat gave us another installment of Ariana’s deep-house blended tracks. “Be My Baby” is a playful song that succeeded in merging Grande’s pop vocals with elements of electronic dance music—think of it as a precursor to “Be Alright.” The rolling build up into Ari’s high note packs a mean punch, and the subtlety of the song’s groove is made even better with a soulful, near-rap melody on the verses.

13. "Break Free" f/ Zedd

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Album: My Everything

Producer: Max Martin & Zedd

Ari upped the ante of her EDM-inspired collection of hit singles when she collabed with beloved dance music pseudo-god Zedd on this certified banger—a triple-platinum banger, to be exact. Grande showed off her bonkers vocals on this radio hit, another product of pop production genius Max Martin. Legends only.

12. "Love Me Harder" f/ The Weeknd

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Album: My Everything

Producer: Ali Payami & Peter Svensson

One of many successful pop songs produced by Max Martin, “Love Me Harder” was the fourth single from Ariana’s second album. The track features The Weeknd, whose falsetto pairs impeccably with Grande’s pure tone, and a catchy hook that makes it impossible not to sing along. The sexy lyrical innuendos have continued to appear in Grande’s later work, and this remains one of her best duets.

11. "better off"

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Album: Sweetener

Producer: Brian Malik Baptiste, Hit-Boy, & Tommy "TBHits" Brown

“better off” is the wavy slow jam on Sweetener, with just enough steam to make it sexy. Grande’s voice is magical here, matched with the euphony of a steel drum-esque sound, and its shimmery, late-night vibe could make you get up and slow dance just as easily as it could lull you to sleep. It’s a dynamic tune that effortlessly begins the album’s wind down, and doesn’t force any unnecessary vocal prowess from Grande to prove her talent.

10. "Break Your Heart Right Back" f/ Childish Gambino

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Album: My Everything

Producer: Pop & Oak

Ari had to drop “Break Your Heart Right Back” just to show y’all how much of a show woman she could be. Featuring a sample of Diana Ross’s smash hit “I’m Coming Out,” this song puts a sweet pop spin on an old-school, hip-hop beat with finger-snaps, rolling hi-hats, and, oh yeah, a verse from Childish Gambino. It’s an underrated smash that proved there are no gimmicks when it comes to Grande’s falsetto.

9. "fake smile"

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Album: thank u, next

Producer: Happy Perez & Andrew "Pop" Wansel

Grande may have taken a moment to get back on her Yours Truly doo-wop vibe with “fake smile,” but not without the bells and whistles of her new-found sound. Paying homage to the Wu-Tang Clan (admittedly a shock to us all), Grande’s track uses the same “After Laugher (Comes Tears)” sample of soul singer Wendy Rene and follows the ebb and flow of Wu-Tang’s beat during her verses. But the chorus feels exactly like Ari’s old-school jive with just a touch of her 2019 attitude. It’s a snappy number with the charm of a schoolyard rhyme and the candor of a woman who has been through it over the last nine months.

8. "Honeymoon Avenue"

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Album: Yours Truly

Producer: Babyface, The Rascals, & Antonio Dixon

This grandiose album opener is one of the best examples of Ariana’s fearless genre fusions. Orchestral strings, Motown doo-wops, and just a bit of pop dazzle came together seamlessly to create “Honeymoon Avenue,” a desperate love song that’s just as emotional as it is rhythmic. This song proved early on that Grande had a few tricks up her sleeve when it came to putting her own twist on classic musical stylings. 

7. "Side to Side" f/ Nicki Minaj

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Album: Dangerous Woman

Producer: Max Martin & Ilya Salmanzadeh

Another historic Ariana/Nicki collab in the books! This quadruple-platinum single is the duo’s most notable collab thus far. A bouncing blend of reggae and pop, “Side to Side” showcases what each of the artists are best known for—Ari’s voice, Nicki’s rapping—and their beautiful friendship. Fans clung to this one because the subject matter was a bit more risqué than what they’d heard from Grande in the past, and further introduced her more mature taste in music.

6. "The Way" f/ Mac Miller

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Album: Yours Truly

Producer: Harmony Samuels

Before they were an item, Ari and Mac Miller teamed up for the lead single from her debut album. It’s an upbeat love song that showcased Grande’s vocal ability and kick-started her career as a pop star before her run on Nickelodeon came to an end. Full of romantic teen dream sentiments and supported by a knockout sample of Big Pun’s “Still Not A Player,” “The Way” is a snappy, sexy R&B-esque duet that turned out to be a case of foreshadowing, and also started the infamous comparisons between Grande and Mariah Carey.

5. "Into You"

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Album: Dangerous Woman

Producer: Max Martin & Ilya Salmanzadeh

Ariana was way ahead of her time when she released “Into You” as the second single off Dangerous Woman. With a thumping bass line and just a touch of EDM madness, this song is a classic Ariana dancefloor jam. Her voice is iridescent, and combined with the snappy beat, this song has become an undeniable highlight in Ariana’s catalog. Though it didn’t perform well as a single, it perfectly encompasses Ari’s identity as an electro-pop queen and emphasizes her sexy demeanor. This song, put simply, owns our asses. Now everyone apologize to Ariana for letting it flop

4. "God is a woman"

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Album: Sweetener

Producer: Ilya Salmanzadeh

You know what they say: the higher the ponytail, the closer to God. This single from her new album takes Ari’s sexy pop persona to a whole new level, and almost immediately became a social media hit thanks to the accompanying music video, which depicts her in various cosmic and holy settings. “God is a woman” is one of Grande’s more sensual songs and mixes her breathy falsettos with a beat that goes objectively hard. It’s a seductive track that shows off Ariana’s vocal control, and had us vying for more sounds from Sweetener just before the album dropped.

3. "NASA"

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Album: thank u, next

Producer: Scootie & TBHits

Shangela said it best: This track from thank u, next is “one small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind.” On the surface, “NASA” has all the makings of a phenomenal pop song: a bouncing beat, graceful and elegant melodies, and pristine vocals that come naturally. But its simplicity is exactly what makes it special. Without trying too hard, “NASA” is a versatile tune that is simultaneously chill and hype. The movement from verse to bridge to chorus is subtle and perfectly blended, leaving no room for unexpected blasts into an outrageous pop beat. But the pumped-up backtrack during the hook is still enough to make you bob along. This song is out of this world, dare we say, out of this world.

2. "R.E.M"

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Album: Sweetener

Producer: Pharrell Williams

Sweet dreams, Arianators. A stand-out track on her new album, “R.E.M.” feels like falling asleep thinking about your crush. Saccharine melodies and finger snaps back Ariana’s impossibly rich voice, which falls into a lower register for this cut. The nod to “Mr. Sandman” by The Chordettes makes for a pop lullaby that left us wondering how we ever got a good night’s sleep before it. It’s a glittering example of Grande’s muscality and will always be there to tuck you in at night.

1. "thank u, next"

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Album: N/A

Producer: Social House & TBHits

If you’re quite finished crying, we’d like to get into the song that made you start crying in the first place. After years of precisely timed album releases and carefully orchestrated promotions, Ari’s surprise single “thank u, next” was the song that finally earned her a No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 Chart. Released in the aftermath of her breakup with Pete Davidson, and just thirty minutes before he would be seen on Saturday Night Live (an episode whose promos saw Davidson poking fun at their engagement), “thank u, next” is the candid power pop cadence that opened the door to Grande’s next era of pop supremacy. Name drops, self-love sentiment, and messages of growth from failure all supplement the candor of a song built on simple synth rhythms and harmonies. Her signature snappy backtracks and a beautiful melody are the driving forces behind a track that has launched Ari into a glorious wave of releasing music on her own terms Now, the world is anxiously awaiting her next move.

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