Upon its release, the track received mixed reviews, with some praising Grande's vocals and the brassy production, while others criticized its similarity to her 2014 hit, "Problem (feat. Iggy Azalea)". Despite the mixed reviews, the song debut at #7 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Grande's first solo song to reach the top 10. The track also reached the top ten in Canada, Australia, Greece, Italy, Spain, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom. It was featured on numerous year-end charts, at #75 in the Netherlands, #87 in Canada, and #42 by Stereogum. By January 2016, "Focus" sold 544,000 copies in the United States and was certified double Platinum by the RIAA. It is also certified Diamond in Brazil.
Musically, the song is a retro-styled pop song featuring a strong big-band brass section throughout. It features strong instrumentation throughout, with saxophone, trumpet, and a trombone, slayed with smooth synths and a banging percussion of handclaps and cowbells. Lyrically, the song describes Grande's dedication to being real, asking people to focus on her. Grande states the song "addresses her haters and insists that they address her realness".
"Focus" is included on the Japan Version of "Dangerous Woman". As of 2022, the song remains one of Ariana Grande's most streamed music videos, with nearly 1 billion views.
Focus
Ariana Grande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And that ain't gonna change
So go ahead and talk your talk
'Cause I won't take the bait
I'm over here doing what I like
I'm over here working day and night
And if my real ain't real enough
I'm sorry for you bae
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Just come and get it let them say what they say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
I can tell you're curious
It's written on your lips
Ain't no need to hold it back
Go head and talk your shit
I know you're hoping that I'll react
I know you're hoping I'm looking back
But if my real ain't real enough
Then I don't know what is
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Just come and get it let them say what they say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
One, two, three
Come on girls
You know I like it
Come on now
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Just come and get it let them say what they say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Focus on me
Focus on me (you know I like it when you focus on me)
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus on me!)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
Focus on me (focus)
Focus on me (focus on me)
The lyrics to Ariana Grande's song "Focus" convey a message of self-confidence and disregard for others' negative opinions. Ariana declares that she knows what she wants and won't let anyone bring her down with their criticism. She's focused on her own goals and working hard to achieve them, and she encourages her listeners to do the same. The chorus repeats the phrase "focus on me," emphasizing the importance of placing oneself at the center of one's own universe. This could be seen as a rejection of societal pressures to conform or seek validation from others.
The second stanza acknowledges that not everyone will approve of Ariana's choices, but she's not going to let that affect her. She encourages others to speak their minds and not hide their true feelings, but reminds them that she's not interested in playing games or getting caught up in drama. The bridge of the song elevates the message even further, with a call to find a "light inside our universe now" and rise above the forces that hold us down. The song ends on a positive note, with Ariana confidently asserting her own identity and reminding herself to stay focused.
Line by Line Meaning
I know what I came to do
I have a clear purpose and goal in mind
And that ain't gonna change
And I won't be swayed from my intentions
So go ahead and talk your talk
You can say whatever you want
'Cause I won't take the bait
But I won't let your words affect me
I'm over here doing what I like
I'm living my life how I want to
I'm over here working day and night
I'm putting in the effort necessary to achieve my goals
And if my real ain't real enough
And if what I'm doing isn't authentic to me
I'm sorry for you bae
Then that's not my problem
Let's find a light inside our universe now
Let's discover a positive path forward in our lives
Where ain't nobody keep on holding us down
Where no one is stopping us from achieving our dreams
Just come and get it let them say what they say
Just go for it and don't worry about what others think or say
'Cause I'm about to put them all away
Because I am confident in my abilities to succeed
I can tell you're curious
I know you're interested in my life
It's written on your lips
I can see it in your expression
Ain't no need to hold it back
There's no reason to conceal your curiosity
Go head and talk your shit
Go ahead and speak your mind
I know you're hoping that I'll react
I know you're trying to provoke a response from me
I know you're hoping I'm looking back
I know you want me to pay attention to you
But if my real ain't real enough
But if what I'm doing isn't authentic to me
Then I don't know what is
Then I don't know what else to do
One, two, three
Counting down to start something
Come on girls
Encouraging others to join in
You know I like it
Acknowledging enjoyment in the activity
Focus on me
Pay attention to me
Focus on me (you know I like it when you focus on me)
You know I enjoy being the center of attention
Focus on me (focus on me!)
Emphasizing the importance of focusing on oneself
Focus on me (focus)
Again stressing the need for self-focus
Focus on me (focus on me)
Repeating the importance of self-focus
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Ariana Grande, Savan Harish Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Peter Anders Svensson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@_.4319
Ariana Grande ✔
Side to side : 1.8 Billion
Problem : 1.2 Billion
Break free : 1 Billion
Ntltc : 968 Million
Focus : 913 Million
7 Rings : 904 Million
Into You : 829 Million
Love me harder : 685 Million
Thank you ,next : 602 Million
Dangerous Woman : 595 Million
The way : 411 Million
God is a Woman : 312 Million
@mminhat
Ariana Grande's achievements:
✅Side To Side - 2.1B
✅Problem - 1.4B
✅7 rings - 1.3B
✅Break Free - 1.1B
✅no tears left to cry - 1.1B
✅Into You - 1B
✅Focus! - 1B
Let's get "Love Me Harder" and "thank you, next" to 1B! ✨
@aaronaraujosaldana4255
The Way - 500M
Popular Song - 300M
Baby I - 200M
Right There - 200M
Almost Is Never Enough - 100M
Problem - 1.3B
Break Free - 1.2B
Bang Bang - 1.7B
Love Me Harder - 800M
Santa Tell Me - 300M
One Last Time - 400M
Focus - 1B
Dangerous Woman - 700M
Dangerous Woman A Cappella - 200M
Let Me Love You - 300M
Into You - 900M
Side To Side - 2B
My Favorite Part - 100M
Faith - 100M
Everyday - 200M
Beauty And The Beast - 300M
No Tears Left To Cry - 1.1B
The Light Is Coming - 100M
Bed - 100M
God Is A Woman - 400M
Dance To This - 200M
Breathin - 200M
Thank U, Next - 700M
7 Rings - 1.1B
Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored - 500M
Rule The World - 100M
Monopoly - 100M
Boyfriend - 200M
Don’t Call Me Angel - 200M
Stuck With You - 200M
Stuck With You MDE - 100M
Rain On Me - 400M
Positions - 400M
34+35 -300M
34+35 remix - 100M
POV (audio) - 100M
Oh Santa! - 100M
@kobingsubu
ATTENTION ARIANATORS 🖤🖤
1.No tears left to cry -999 million
2. 7 rings-997 million
3.focus -992 million
See how close they are to 1 billion
Ari has always spoiled us, giving us music whenever we asked.
Its time to spoil her by streaming non stop and making all these songs to 1 billion. LETS GOOOO!!! 🖤🖤🖤🖤
Edit - NTLTC -1B ✅
7 RINGS - 999 million
FOCUS -993 million
@ryxiee
Who's here before 1 billion?
@miashadowyt2007
Meee
@aleatoria46
Me
@BratzBoyz13
Hi❤
@_boladeberlim
Meeee
@boomlyric
Me
@_.4319
Ariana Grande ✔
Side to side : 1.8 Billion
Problem : 1.2 Billion
Break free : 1 Billion
Ntltc : 968 Million
Focus : 913 Million
7 Rings : 904 Million
Into You : 829 Million
Love me harder : 685 Million
Thank you ,next : 602 Million
Dangerous Woman : 595 Million
The way : 411 Million
God is a Woman : 312 Million
@minthuzaw2090
break up with ur gf??
@biusheee6504
@@minthuzaw2090 r
@fujitora8307
Bang bang 1.6 billion