Listen: Ariana Grande Drops Iconic Breakup Anthem “Thank U, Next”
Ariana Grande has no more tears left to cry over ex-fiancé Pete Davidson.
The 25-year-old pop star released a very pointed song, “Thank U, Next,” less than an hour before last night's Saturday Night Live, comedian Davidson's first episode back following the couple's split.
Grande shouts-out her exes on the new self-empowerment anthem, including Davidson, Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez, and Mac Miller, who died in September of an apparent drug overdose. "Even almost got married, and for Pete, I’m so thankful," she sings.
The release of “Thank U, Next” follows "Breathin," the third official single from Grande's fourth studio album, Sweetener.
In a series of now-deleted tweets, Grande wrote "thank u, next" earlier this week after Davidson, 24, flippantly referred to their broken engagement in an SNL promo by asking musical guest Maggie Rogers to get married. She also tweeted, “for somebody who claims to hate relevancy u sure love clinging to it huh.”
Davidson more respectfully addressed the split last night at the "Weekend Update" desk after mentioning he had moved back in with his mom.
“I know some of you are curious about the breakup, but the truth is, it’s nobody’s business," he said. “Sometimes things just don’t work out and that’s okay. She’s a wonderful, strong person and I genuinely wish her all the happiness in the world. Now, please go vote on Tuesday.” Referencing the Sweetener track named for him, he added, “I’m still a great song though!”
Grande and Davidson first announced their engagement in June after a brief courtship and remained open about their relationship all summer. The couple called it quits in October, and Davidson broke his silence about the split last month while co-hosting a comedy show.
Read the full "Thank U, Next" lyrics 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 fucking grateful for my ex
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
I’m so fucking...
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 shit’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 fucking grateful for my ex
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 fucking...
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
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 fucking grateful for my ex
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Yeah
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Thank u, next
Yeah
Listen and be fucking grateful below.