Ariana Grande’s ‘Sweetener’ is a three-minute 29-second wonder of a song that was released on August 17th, 2018 by the American pop star. This is the title track from Grande’s fourth studio album, dubbed “Sweetener” by the rest of the country. Though Pharrell Williams provided the continuous vocals for this single, the song was stricken with Grande’s own bold sound. Grande and Williams collaborated on the song’s words, and Williams produced it. Pharrell Williams aided her by overseeing the entire production on his own. Let’s take a look at the meaning behind Ariana Grande’s song “Sweetener.”
Many fans speculated that the song was about Grande’s fiancé Pete Davidson as it made its way through the airwaves. However, as this song was released in July 2016, this was not the case. The most interesting fact is that Grande and Davidson began dating in 2018. So this song clarified that the lyrics were not written specifically for Pete Davidson.
Introduction
Grande was most likely dating American rapper Mac Miller at the time this song was released. Grande debunked the notion that the song was about Davidson, and went on to say that there was another unique song in her ‘Sweetener’ album called “Pete Davidson,” which was a tribute to Davidson and his love for her.
The pop song ‘Sweetener’ is a great match for the R&B musical genre. Grande announced the title of her fourth studio album, “Sweetener,” during an interview on the late-night chat show “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Grande went on to state that the song is about “bringing light to a situation or someone’s life,” and that it is about “bringing light to a situation or someone’s life.” She also said that this album may mean someone brings light into another person’s life or just sweetening a circumstance.
Sweetener Lyrics
Ariana Grande’s “Sweetener,” which begins with a mix of bare beats and beautiful harmony, is a lyrical delight that complements the rest of the record. Although the presence of voices and rustic sounds can irritate others, the track does not fail to promote the concept of positivity and happiness. The word ‘sweetener’ is repeated many times, sending a letter to Grande’s lover while often including sexual references.
Let’s start with the lyrics before we go into the meaning of the song.
[Pre Chorus]
When life deals us cards
Make everything taste like it is salt
Then you come through like the sweetener you are
To bring the bitter taste to a halt
[Chorus]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
[Verse 1]
I like the way you lick the bowl
Somehow your method touches my soul
It lifts me up to heights unknown
So when they ask, How’s life? I go (sheesh, sheesh)
[Pre Chorus]
When life deals us cards
Make everything taste like it is salt
Then you come through like the sweetener you are
To bring the bitter taste to a halt
[Chorus]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
[Verse 2]
Your mama sent us horoscopes (horoscopes)
Had so much fun watching them unfold (watch them unfold)
You said she like me, I smiled, I know
So when they ask, How’s life? I go (sheesh, sheesh)
[Pre Chorus]
When life deals us cards
Make everything taste like it is salt
Then you come through like the sweetener you are
To bring the bitter taste to a halt
[Chorus]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
[Bridge]
And then we lay it back, talk the rest of the night
Things that we can light make me say oh, oh
Talking about what you wanna do, whatever’s wrong or right
I am followin’ you ’cause you make me say oh, oh
Say, I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life, it’d be so sour
I’m hoping that everybody can experience what we have in ours
[Pre Chorus]
When life deals us cards
Make everything taste like it is salt
Then you come through like the sweetener you are
To bring the bitter taste to a halt
[Chorus]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
You make me say oh, babe
Sweetener Lyrics Meaning
Now get a bit deeper into the lyrics of Sweetener by Ariana Grande and grasp some inner meaning from its verses.
[Pre Chorus]
When life deals us cards
Make everything taste like it is salt
Then you come through like the sweetener you are
To bring the bitter taste to a halt
A pre-chorus written by Grande and Pharrell kicks off the song. It’s a twist on the old adage “when life sends you lemons, make lemonade,” in which Ariana creates her own version to encourage people to be more hopeful. Grande teaches them that satisfaction can be found in making the most of any situation. The lyrics provide an underlying message that life isn’t just about overcoming obstacles and adjusting to transition. It’s all about how we make things work in the face of adversity. Certain events in our life can be bothersome and sometimes cause us to lose our comfort and peace of mind. Grande continues, “When we think positively, everything about us seems blissful and sweet.” Even if certain cases are sour, our good outlook will finally surpass the obstacles that suffocate our happiness, putting an end to resentment.
[Chorus]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it Flip it, flip it, flip it You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh) Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it You make me say oh, oh (sheesh, sheesh)
Grande sings in the chorus, which is brilliantly orchestrated by Williams, about how wonderful her man is at making love. She then expresses her feelings over how much her man satisfies her with a combination of emotional and physical affection. She is completely befuddled at how he moves things along while heating up the case, driving her insane with desire for him.
[Verse 1]
I like the way you lick the bowl
Somehow your method touches my soul
It lifts me up to heights unknown
So when they ask, How's life? I go (sheesh, sheesh)
The first verse of this romantic song starts with a composition that emphasises the art of oral sex. ‘I like the way you lick the bowl,’ Grande says, demonstrating how much she loves her man’s company, particularly during the love-filled war on the bed. She goes on to say that every act of her man brings her to new heights and provides her with a booze of pleasure that no words can convey. She makes a beautiful link between physical intimacy and emotional fulfilment, saying that her man’s actions simply touch her soul. Grande claims that her life is as sweet as her feelings, especially with her man.
[Verse 2]
Your mama sent us horoscopes (horoscopes)
Had so much fun watching them unfold (watch them unfold)
You said she like me, I smiled, I know
So when they ask, How's life? I go (sheesh, sheesh)
This song was written in 2016 when Grande and Miller were dating, and both families were aware of their relationship. Ariana’s astrological sign is Cancer, while Miller’s is Capricorn, indicating that they were a match made in heaven! Regardless about how adversity was written into the cards of destiny, both Grande and Miller were devoted to each other. Mac’s mother sent them horoscopes that forecast events in their lives in the near future, according to Grande. She then went on to describe her joy as she revealed what each horoscope meant in her life while dating Mac Miller.
[Bridge]
And then we lay it back, talk the rest of the night
Things that we can light make me say oh, oh
Talking about what you wanna do, whatever's wrong or right
I am followin' you 'cause you make me say oh, oh
Say, I don't know what I'd do without you in my life, it'd be so sour
I'm hoping that everybody can experience what we have in ours
Grande discusses what happens when she has a lovely romantic moment with her man in this video. She claims that they simply sit back and let their soft-toned dialogue light up the darkness. They talk of the things that will make them happy in their lives. She emphasises their discussions on life’s perspective and what what they’re about to do in the future is right or wrong. She claims that her guy is the source of all sweetness in her life, and that her life will be bitter and emotionless without him. She ends this intense dialogue by expressing her wish for others to have the opportunity to see what she and her partner have in their lives.
Read the meaning behind the lyrics of the song ‘Sweetener’ by Ariana Grande on Genius in detail.
Conclusion
The song “Sweetener” by Ariana Grande is about the pleasure that comes with having everything you need in the form of true love. True happiness is only felt for that special one who shares the same degree of emotions and outlook on life, whether it is physical bonding or emotional connection. In this new single from her album ‘Sweetener,’ Grande brilliantly blends the feelings of sexual attraction and emotional commitment.
Some Fun Facts About The Song
1. The title song off of the album and the first one Ariana Grande wrote for the Sweetener sessions in 2016.
2. Ariana Grande explained the meaning of this song to Jimmy Fallon by saying, It’s about bringing light to a situation, or to someone’s life, or somebody else who brings light to your life or sweetening the situation.
3. Pharrell Williams is a co-writer of this track as well as a producer.
4. ‘Your mama sent us horoscopes’ is a reference to Mac Miller’s mother who sent Ariana Grande and Mac Miller horoscopes when Ariana and Mac were dating back in 2016.
About The Artist
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande-Butera is an American singer and actress. Born in Boca Raton, Florida, Grande began her career at age 15 in the 2008 Broadway musical 13. She rose to fame for her role as Cat Valentine in the Nickelodeon television series Victorious (2010–2013) and Sam & Cat (2013–2014). She subsequently signed with Republic Records in 2011 after the label’s executives discovered YouTube videos of her covering songs. Her 1950s doo-wop-influenced pop and R&B debut album, Yours Truly (2013), topped the US Billboard 200 chart, while its lead single, “The Way”, charted in the top ten of the US Billboard Hot 100. Upon release, critics compared Grande to Mariah Carey for her wide vocal range and whistle register.
Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ariana_Grande
