Commercially, the song reached the top 10 in Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom, as well as top 20 in Greece, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Portugal and the United States.
Needy
Ariana Grande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I can't promise you how I'll react
But all I can say
Is at least I'll wait for you
Lately I've been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know
Is I need you close
And I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
And I can be needy
Way too damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (yeah)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (selfish)
But after all this damage I can't help it (help it)
But what you can trust, is I need your touch
I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
And I can be needy
Way too damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
In "Needy," Ariana Grande explores her vulnerability and neediness in a relationship. The song begins with her confessing how she might react if her partner takes too long to reply. Despite this, she acknowledges that she will wait for them. The second verse shows her struggle to control her emotions while trying to remain close to her partner. Ariana uses her signature vocal high notes to express her emotional turmoil. She sings about her obsessiveness and overthinking with her heart, which has led her to need someone deeply.
Throughout the song, Ariana affirms that she can be needy, apologizing for how much she struggles with it. She cites being "up and down a lot," feeling like she's not enough, saying sorry too much, and being selfish as some of her flaws. Still, she desperately craves her partner's touch, which gives her a sense of security in a relationship. The chorus repeats that she can be needy and hard to please, but it feels good to be needed.
In summary, "Needy" is an honest portrayal of a person's struggle with their emotions, the need for companionship and validation. It's an open and vulnerable song that showcases Ariana's personal battles and how she needs people in her life.
Line by Line Meaning
If you take too long to hit me back
If you don't respond to me promptly
I can't promise you how I'll react
I can't guarantee how I will respond to your delayed response
But all I can say
Is at least I'll wait for you
But I can tell you that I will wait for your response
Lately I've been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know
Is I need you close
Recently, I've been feeling very unstable and trying to manage my emotions, but the only thing I'm certain of is how much I need you near me
And I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
I will passionately express my love for you without caring what others think. Although I recognize that I have some issues, I can mask them superficially. I become fixated with love and have a tendency to overanalyze with my heart. How did our relationship even come this far?
And I can be needy
Way too damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
I can be very needy and demanding in a relationship. But tell me, how great it feels to be desired and valued by someone. I understand that I'm difficult to please, but it's energizing to feel needed by someone.
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (yeah)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (selfish)
But after all this damage I can't help it (help it)
But what you can trust, is I need your touch
I apologize if I am inconsistent with my moods, for feeling inadequate, and for excessively apologizing. You may consider me self-centered, but I can't help it after everything that has happened. Nevertheless, what you can rely on is that I crave your touch.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Taylor Monet Parks, Ariana Grande, Tommy Brown, Victoria Monet, THOMAS LEE BROWN, VICTORIA MONET MCCANTS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Njmim166
Lyrics:
If you take too long to hit me back
I can't promise you how I'll react
But all I can say
Is at least I'll wait for you
Lately, I've been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know is I need you close
And I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (Yuh)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (Selfish)
But after all this damage I can't help it (Help it)
Or what you can trust, 'cause I need your touch
I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
Hmmm, hmmm, ahh-haa
@kokokoono
[Verse 1]
If you take too long to hit me back
I can't promise you how I’ll react
But all I can say is at least I'll wait for you
Lately, I've been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know is I need you close
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate, but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far, this far?
[Chorus]
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
[Verse 2]
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (Yeah)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (Selfish)
But after all this damage, I can’t help it (Help it)
But what you can trust is I need your touch
[Pre-Chorus]
I’ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate, but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I’m a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far, this far?
[Chorus]
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
@mijiko-chan7660
If you take too long to hit me back
I can't promise you how I'll react
But all I can say
Is at least I'll wait for you
Lately I've been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know
Is I need you close
And I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
And I can be needy
Way too damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (yeah)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (selfish)
But after all this damage I can't help it (help it)
But what you can trust, is I need your touch
I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far?
This far
And I can be needy
Way too damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
@poppydimery7440
Lyrics:
If you take too long to hit me back, I can't promise you how I'll react
But all I can say, is at least I'll wait for you
Lately I've been on a rollercoaster, trying to get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know , is I need you close
And Ima scream and shout for what I love, passionate but I dont give no f#%cks
I'll admit that I'm a lil messed up, but I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard, good at all otherthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far
this far?
And I can be needy
Way to dam needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needy
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needy
Sorry if I'm up n down alot, sorry that I think I'm not enough
I'm sorry if I, say sorry way to much
You can go ahead n call me selfish, but after this time I just cant help it
But what you can trust, is I need your touch
And Ima scream and shout for what I love, passionate but I don't give no f@%cks
I admit that I'm a lil messsd up, I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard, good at otherthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far
this far?
And I can be needy
Way too dam needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needy
I can be needy
So hard to please me
I know how it feels to be needy
hmmm
😗
@c0rrps_br1d3
My top 5 on 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐔, 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭
1.) 𝙽𝚎𝚎𝚍𝚢
2.) 𝒢𝒽ℴ𝓈𝓉𝒾𝓃
3.) 𝔹𝕒𝕕 𝕀𝕕𝕖𝕒
4.) ᖴᗩKᗴ ՏᗰIᒪᗴ
5.) 𝐼𝑛 𝑀𝑦 𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑑
All the emotional songs. :(
EDIT: Why people be like "YoU fOrGoT iMaGiNe", like I didn't, that's my choice? :'D lmao
@tranggiee
If you take too long to hit me back
I can't promise you how I’ll react
But all I can say is at least I'll wait for you
Lately, I've been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know is I need you close
And I’ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate, but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far, this far?
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (Yeah)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (Selfish)
But after all this damage, I can’t help it (Help it)
But what you can trust is I need your touch
I’ma scream and shout for what I love
Passionate, but I don't give no fucks
I admit that I’m a lil' messed up
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Good at overthinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far, this far?
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
@popacat8375
Honestly my favorite line out of all her songs is “You can go ahead and call me selfish, but after all this damage I can’t help it”.
I’ve had a lot of trouble with people beating me into a pulp with words. They then complain about me not being good enough when I’m trying to recover from their words.
To hear someone like Ariana say that that it’s okay to be not okay when recovering from bad stuff really gives me a boost in confidence.
I often remember that line when my recovery is going downhill. Sometimes I’ll say it straight to the mean people’s faces. To see them dumbfounded like that really helps.
I recommend doing that if you’re in a similar position as I. Also remember that knights don’t always defeat the dragon first try. They can’t charge head first into battle without preparing first. They have to train and get better equipment first.
If you can, always try to vary your surroundings. Sometimes some places get attached to bad memories and wounds. Never surround yourself with bad air. You deserve clean air.
If you see this, please remember my words. Thank you and have a wonderful life. You got this, champ. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❣️❣️❣️💕💕💕💞💞💞💓💓💓💗💗💗💖💖💖💘💘💘💝💝💝💟💟💟♥️♥️♥️🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰
@clairereid3482
Lyrics:
If you take to long to hit me back
I can’t promise you how I’ll react
But all I can say
Is at least I’ll wait, for you
Lately I’ve been on a roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
But all that I know
Is I need you close
And ima scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don’t give no f**
I admit that I’m a lil messed up
But I can hide it when I’m all dressed up
I’m obsessive and I love too hard
Good at over thinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far
This far
And I can be needy, way to damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
Sorry if I’m up and down a lot (yuh)
Sorry that I think I’m not enough
And sorry if I say sorry way to much
You can go ahead and call me selfish (selfish)
But after all this damage I can’t help it(help it)
Or what you can trust, coz I need your touch
And ima scream and shout for what I love
Passionate but I don’t give no f**
I admit that I’m a lil messed up
But I can hide it when I’m all dressed up
I’m obsessive and I love too hard
Good at over thinking with my heart
How you even think it got this far
This far
And I can be needy, way to damn needy
I can be needy
Tell me how good it feels to be needed
I can be needy, so hard to please me
I know it feels so good to be needed
@rea9065
[Verse 1]
If you take too long to hit me back
Jika kamu membutuhkan terlalu lama untuk menghubungiku kembali
I can't promise you how I'll react
Aku tidak bisa berjanji kepadamu bagaimana aku akan bereaksi
But all I can say
Tapi yang bisa aku katakan
Is at least I'll wait for you
Adalah setidaknya aku akan menunggumu
Lately, I've been on a roller coaster
Belakangan ini, aku sedang berada di roller coaster
Tryna get a hold of my emotions
Mencoba menahan emosiku
But all that I know is I need you close
Tapi semua yang aku tahu adalah aku butuh kau di dekatku.
[Pre-Chorus]
And I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Dan aku akan berteriak dan berteriak untuk apa yang aku sukai
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
Bergairah tapi aku tidak peduli
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
Aku mengakui kalau aku sedikit kacau
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
Tapi aku bisa menyembunyikannya ketika aku berdandan
I'm obsessive and I love too hard
Aku obsesif dan aku mencintai terlalu keras
Good at overthinking with my heart
Bagus dalam berpikir berlebihan dengan hatiku
How you even think it got this far?
Bagaimana menurutmu sejauh ini?
This far
Sejauh ini
[Chorus]
And I can be needy, way too damn needy
Dan aku bisa menjadi berlebihan, terlalu berlebihan
I can be needy, tell me how good it feels to be needed
Aku bisa menjadi berlebihan, katakan padaku betapa enak rasanya di butuhkan
I can be needy, so hard to please me
Aku bisa menjadi berlebihan, sangat sulit untuk menyenangkan diriku
I know it feels so good to be needed
Aku tahu betapa enak rasanya di butuhkan
[Verse 2]
Sorry if I'm up and down a lot (Yeah)
Maaf jika aku sering naik turun (Yeah)
Sorry that I think I'm not enough
Maaf kalau aku berpikir aku tidak cukup
And sorry if I say sorry way too much
Dan maaf jika aku mengatakan maaf terlalu banyak
You can go ahead and call me selfish (Selfish)
Kamu bisa pergi dan memanggilku egois(Egois)
But after all this damage I can't help it (Help it)
Tapi setelah semua kerusakan ini, aku tidak bisa menahannya (Menahannya)
Or what you can trust, 'cause I need your touch
Atau apa yang bisa kamu percaya, karna aku membutuhkan sentuhanmu
[Pre-Chorus]
I'ma scream and shout for what I love
Aku berteriak dan berteriak untuk apa yang ku sukai
Passionate but I don't give no fucks
Bergairah tapi aku tidak peduli
I admit that I'm a lil' messed up
Aku mengakui kalau aku sedikit kacau
But I can hide it when I'm all dressed up
Tapi aku bisa menyembunyikannya ketika aku berdandan
@chillectro4893
My favorite song on the album. The chord progressions in this song remind of a little of her older songs, like Best Mistake.
@katiedawson3106
Same sis
@crystalfreitas349
I loved that song too! And you're right it is kinda similar. Its such a beautiful area for her
@denyapofficial5783
Agree
@sr-pz7gp
facts
@sy4f1q_
ikr
@shoaballo641
This song really hits different at 2 A.M.
@judyth0910
ik right 😭
@denimloser
Whyyyaaa
@maureenpalisbo715
2 AM right now.