Grande's second studio album, My Everything (2014), continued the pop-R&B sound of its predecessor and incorporated EDM elements. It topped the Billboard 200 and featured four US top-ten singles: "Problem", "Break Free", "Bang Bang", and "Love Me Harder" featuring The Weeknd, the most of any artist that year. Grande's pop-R&B styles extended on her third studio album, Dangerous Woman (2016), which was her first of three consecutive number-one albums in the UK, and spawned top ten hits such as the Grammy nominated title track and "Side to Side".
On her next two albums, Sweetener (2018) and Thank U, Next (2019), Grande experimented with trap while maintaining her characteristic pop-R&B tones; being projects with her most creative control yet and showing a more personal and vulnerable side, both debuted at number one in several countries and were acclaimed by music critics. The former won a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album and spawned the international top three hit "No Tears Left to Cry", while the latter broke several streaming records. Grande became the first solo artist to hold the top three spots on the Billboard Hot 100 simultaneously when "7 Rings", "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" and "Thank U, Next" did so in 2019. She is also the first artist to have the lead singles from each of their first six studio albums debut within the top ten in the US.
Grande released her sixth studio album, Positions (2020) with its lead single, "Positions" debuting at number one in the US and the UK simultaneously. The song became her third number one hit in the US following "Stuck With U" in collaboration with Justin Bieber and "Rain On Me", also in collaboration with Lady Gaga. A deluxe version of Positions was released in February 2021, with four new songs and a remix of "34+35" featuring Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. The remix helped the song peak at number two, the highest-charting song credited to three or more female soloist since 2001 when "Lady Marmalade" performed by Christina Aguilera, Mýa, P!nk, and Lil Kim peaked at number one. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming her fifth album to do so. In April 2021, a remix of The Weeknd's "Save Your Tears" was released featuring Grande. The song reached number one in both the US Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100. It spent a total of 69 weeks in the US charts, becoming one of the ten longest-running songs in that chart since its publication.
In November 2021, it was announced that Grande would star in the two-part film adaptation of the musical Wicked as Glinda. The first movie released on November 22nd, 2024 to critical acclaim and a worldwide gross of over $750 million, becoming the highest-grossing musical film adaptation of a Broadway musical. Critics praised Grande's performance as Glinda and she recieved over 14 major awards and nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category. Wicked: For Good is set to release on November 21, 2025.
Ariana Grande’s highly anticipated seventh studio album “eternal sunshine" was released on March 8th, 2024. The title is a reference to one of her favourite films, “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” which stars Jim Carrey. The album is a concept album inspired by the events of the film. The lead single “yes, and?" was released on January 12, 2024 and debuted at #1 on the Hot 100. eternal sunshine had a debut at #1 on the Global Spotify charts and on the Billboard 200. The album's 2nd single “we can't be friends (wait for your love)" also debuted at #1 on the Hot 100. During this album cycle, she collaborated with Mariah Carey, Brandy, Monica, Charli XCX, and Troye Sivan on various remixes.
Grande has received various accolades, including two Grammy Awards, ten VMAs, one Brit Award, two Billboard Music Awards, and three American Music Awards. All seven of Grande's full-length albums have been certified platinum by the RIAA. Grande has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Having amassed 98 billion streams globally as of 2021, Grande is one of the most-streamed artists of all time and became the first female artist to surpass 90 billion streams. She was the most-streamed female artist of the 2010s decade on Spotify and Apple Music, and was the only female artist to reach 3 billion total streams on the latter as of 2019. In 2024, Grande became the first artist to have five albums with multiple songs over a billion streams on Spotify. She is the only artist to debut the lead single from all their studio albums in the Top 10 of the Hot 100. Her signature ponytail hairstyle has become an iconic piece of pop culture iconography. In October 2024, she was named the 9th greatest pop star of the 21st Century by Billboard and was the newest artist on the list. Forbes ranked her amongst the highest-paid celebrities in 2019, and Time named Grande as one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2016 and 2019. Billboard recognized her as the "Woman of the Year" in 2018. Her song "Thank U, Next" was in Rolling Stone's 2021 revision of their 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. In 2023, the magazine included Grande among the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Grande was nominated in the 2024 GRAMMY Awards for Eternal Sunshine and the Oscars, SAG Awards, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs for her performance in Wicked: Part 1.
Recording artists who have cited Grande as an influence or inspiration include Billie Eilish, Chappell Roan, Lana Del Rey, Bryson Tiller, Charlie Puth, Sufjan Stevens, Troye Sivan, Zara Larsson, Tate McRae, Madison Beer, Jung Kook, Michelle Zauner of Japanese Breakfast, Giselle of aespa, and Meghan Trainor.
true story
Ariana Grande Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You fantasized (fantasized) 'bout you and I
This is a true story about all the games
I know you play
No, this is not what I need (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Not what I want (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Ain't gonna happen to meGimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love
Gimme love, gimme love, love
Love, love, lo-love
I'll play the villain if you need me to
I know how this goes, yeah
I'll be the one you pay to see play the scene
Roll the cameras, please
Turnin' like a dime (dime), wastin' all their time
Sneakin' like a creep in the night
But I'll play whatever part you need me to
Mm
This is a true story about all the lies
You fantasized (fantasized) 'bout you and I
This is a true story about all the games
I know you play
No, this is not what I need (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Not what I want (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Ain't gonna happen to me
Gimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love
Gimme love, gimme love, love
Love, love, lo-love
I'll play the bad girl if you need me to
If it makes you feel better
I'll be the one you love to hate, can't relate
Too much on my plate
See it in your eyes (eyes), you got too much time
For fun, you like to pray for my demise, mm
But I'll play whatever part you need me to
And I'll be good in it, too
This is a true story about all the lies
You fantasized (fantasized) 'bout you and I
This is a true story about all the games
I know you play
No, this is not what I need (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Not what I want (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Ain't gonna happen to me
Gimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love (ooh)
Gimme love, gimme love, love (gimme love, gimme love)
Love, love, lo-love (not what I want)
Gimme love, love, gimme love (not what I need)
Gimme love, love, gimme love (ain't gonna happen to me)
Gimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love (gimme love, gimme love)
Gimme love, gimme love, love
Love, love, lo-love (mm)
The lyrics of Ariana Grande's song "True Story" convey a message of confronting deception and manipulation in a relationship. The singer reflects on the falsehoods and games her partner has engaged in, highlighting the impact of these actions on their dynamic. The repeated plea for love amidst the lies and games emphasizes a desire for authenticity and sincerity in the relationship, contrasting with the deceitful behavior exhibited by the partner.
The singer expresses a willingness to adapt to her partner's narrative, even if it means portraying the villain or the bad girl in their story. This willingness to comply with the partner's expectations and roles suggests a sense of resignation or acceptance of the toxic dynamics present in the relationship. The references to playing a role and being paid to perform suggest a transactional nature to the relationship, where authenticity is sacrificed for the sake of maintaining appearances.
Despite the partner's manipulative behavior and the singer's awareness of the games being played, there is a sense of resignation and even a willingness to engage in the charade. The singer acknowledges the partner's excessive focus on negativity and their enjoyment of causing distress, yet still offers to play whatever part is needed. This duality of acknowledging the toxicity while still participating in it reflects the complexities and conflicts within the relationship.
Overall, the lyrics of "True Story" depict a narrative of deception, manipulation, and a longing for genuine love and connection. The singer's plea for love amidst the lies and games reflects a desire for authenticity and transparency, highlighting the destructive nature of deceit and manipulation in relationships. The willingness to play different roles and adapt to the partner's narrative speaks to the compromises made in the pursuit of love, even in situations where the truth may be scarce.
Line by Line Meaning
This is a true story about all the lies
This narrative reveals the deception that has permeated our relationship.
You fantasized (fantasized) 'bout you and I
You dreamed up an idealized version of our connection, filled with unrealistic expectations.
This is a true story about all the games
This tale explores the manipulative behaviors and emotional tactics at play.
I know you play
I am aware of the mind games you engage in.
No, this is not what I need (gimme love, love, gimme love)
This situation does not fulfill my emotional needs; I crave genuine affection.
Not what I want (gimme love, love, gimme love)
This is not my desire; I long for true love and connection.
Ain't gonna happen to me
I refuse to allow this to affect me negatively.
Gimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love
I am asking for the love I deserve, not the shallow affection you've offered.
Gimme love, gimme love, love
I yearn for genuine and meaningful love.
Love, love, lo-love
I seek a deep, lasting love, beyond superficialities.
I'll play the villain if you need me to
I am willing to take on the negative role if it helps you.
I know how this goes, yeah
I understand the dynamics of this situation and how it typically unfolds.
I'll be the one you pay to see play the scene
I will perform the role you expect of me, like an actress in a scripted performance.
Roll the cameras, please
Let's begin this facade, as though we are in a movie.
Turnin' like a dime (dime), wastin' all their time
People are easily swayed and their time is being squandered by these games.
Sneakin' like a creep in the night
There is an element of deceit lurking in the shadows, unnoticed.
But I'll play whatever part you need me to
I am ready to adapt to any role required to maintain this connection.
Mm
An indication of resignation or acceptance of this reality.
This is a true story about all the lies
This narrative continues to uncover the deception surrounding us.
You fantasized (fantasized) 'bout you and I
Your idealistic vision of our relationship is a fabrication.
This is a true story about all the games
We are still examining the manipulative tactics at play.
I know you play
I remain aware of your tendency towards emotional manipulation.
No, this is not what I need (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Once again, I express that this situation is unfulfilling.
Not what I want (gimme love, love, gimme love)
Reiterating my desire for something genuine and meaningful.
Ain't gonna happen to me
I affirm my determination to not be ensnared by your games.
Gimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love (ooh)
I persist in my plea for authentic love and connection.
Gimme love, gimme love, love (gimme love, gimme love)
My yearning for true affection remains strong.
Love, love, lo-love (not what I want)
I desire something fundamentally different from what I'm presented with.
Gimme love, love, gimme love (not what I need)
This continues to express my need for real, fulfilling love.
Gimme love, love, gimme love (ain't gonna happen to me)
Reiterating my resolve to not accept less than I deserve.
Gimme love, love, gimme love, love, lo-love (gimme love, gimme love)
My request for authentic love is unwavering.
Gimme love, gimme love, love
I continuously seek the genuine love I crave.
Love, love, lo-love (mm)
An acknowledgment of my continuous search for depth in affection.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Martin Karl Sandberg, Ariana Grande
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@IAyouuub
Hmm, I can't see the conflicting feelings tbh. She says ''This is not what I need/want'' to the true story, which is nothing but lies that are fantasized and games that are played.
So she says, she doesn't want nor need that. In reality, she wants who gives her love, true love.
But I feel what you talking about in "Don't wanna break up again" when she says,
"I don't wanna fuck with your head
It's breaking my heart
To keep breaking yours again
This situationship has to end
But I just can't refuse
I don't wanna break up again"
@lovelygiada
I’m 100% sure this is gonna be one of my favorite Ariana’s song
@Monika-p5j4t
Mine too
@KYLETISZAI
No u aint
@Khyati_Srivastava
I'm really sorry for this comment but I did a cover of yes, and and I really hope you will listen to it!
@bassisgreat44
Same!
@BradButera
The high notes and new verses ate
@noseholekibi
this song gives 90s r&b vibes and I LOVE IT!
@fennecfoxyeonjun
I’m a 13 year old male artist from HK, Ariana inspires me a lot, i have a 5 octave range with whistle and low notes, please check out my track ‘angel’ it is inspired by ‘yes, and’ (I’m not lying it is actually the same genre and style i promise) my dream is to go to music school, thankssss sm it means a lot
@Bottomboy06
@HelpMeplease991this is not a way to market urself…. You’re not building a fan base ur just pissing people off, and don’t even say ari inspires ur music cuz ur music is a completely genre💀
@D3V_Official
The chorus sounds like Bills, Bills, Bills, idt I'm tripping lol
It's so good and nostalgic