On June 20, 2018, the Dangerous Woman star partnered with Nicki Minaj and launched her Sweetener collaboration single. No matter how many times you’ve heard “The Light is Coming,” you may have skipped the song’s hidden significance, which is important to grasp. Let’s take a look at the context behind Ariana Grande’s song “The Light is Coming.”
Though fans were quick to praise Ariana Grande for her ability to play with the track’s new sound and adorable visuals, many were confused about the vocal sample’s inclusion in the single version. Someone’s voice can be heard in this Sweetener track stating, “You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead…” Many people were perplexed by what lies beneath the background of this graph, and they wanted to know why this particular back score was shaded.
Any Twitter users couldn’t get enough of the sample, claiming that “The Light is Coming” would have been much easier if this particular voice wasn’t always present in the background. In the opposite, one writer did an excellent job of finding out why this particular clip was used.
Introduction
Madeline Roth of MTV News goes on to post a clip from CNN that appears to have filmed the speech in question, as reported by Buzzfeed in the second half of 2018, as reported by Buzzfeed. This speech appears to be taken from a CNN archive recording of a man yelling at Sen. Arlen Specter at a town hall meeting in Pennsylvania in 2009. Roth responded with a tweet, clearing the way for those who were curious about the back score’s inclusion.
Buzzfeed didn’t leave it at that. When the team looked at the sample, they discovered that Pharrell, who made “The Light Is Coming,” used the same sample in the N.E.R.D. and Rihanna album “Lemon.” This is a strong indication of how close these two songs are! Here’s the link to that post.
The song “The Light is Coming” by Ariana Grande is about a new friendship. Sweetener’s single “Sweetener” was released on June 20, 2018, and the lyrics are everything a song like this requires. This song addresses serious topics and proves that Grande is exactly who the world wants her to be. To be honest, these lyrics could mean something depending on the listener’s viewpoint, but the overall signs point to them being woven around a “relationship.”
The Light is Coming Lyrics
Now that you’ve got a few ideas about what this song is all about let’s see the lyrics and then get into the meaning of the song.
[Intro]
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
[Verse 1: Nicki Minaj]
Ay yo, trophy wife, out you won me
Until you had to find out it’s one me
Now you benched, aww, your bum knee
Now I’m the bad guy, call me Chun-Li (ooh)
‘Cause you was slippin’, yep, you clumsy
And everything I peep, can’t just unsee
Sips tea, and it’s unsweet
Respect bad gyal when mi done speak
Now he shooting his shot like drive-by’s
Why you had to make me go call up my side guy?
Can’t let a f-boy f up my nice vibes
Yo Ariana, come let me give you a high five
[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
What did she say? What did he say?
You don’t listen ’cause you know everything
You don’t even need dreams
Tellin’ everybody, Stay woke, don’t sleep
[Refrain: Ariana Grande]
Ah, gonna break that shit down
You don’t wait until they wait another round
Ah, guess you’re way above it now
And that’s your way to love it now
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
How can they tell you shit that you’ve been through?
They are so confused, who cares about their rational?
If it ain’t your view
That’s the bottom line
Know-it-all (know-it-all)
Give you a box of chances, every time you blow it all (blow it all)
As if it was shade, you would just throw it all (throw it all)
It’s like you’re trying not to glow at all (glow at all)
Know-it-all (know-it-all)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, st-st-stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, st-st-stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
[Verse 3: Ariana Grande]
Why do we have chemistry?
With a need for speed
Doin’ things that trouble clings to
And burns off our wings
[Refrain: Ariana Grande]
Ah, gonna break that shit down
You don’t wait, tell them wait another round
Ah, guess you’re way above it now
And that’s your way to love it now
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
How can they tell you shit that you’ve been through?
They are so confused, who cares about their rational?
If it ain’t your view
That’s the bottom line
Know-it-all (know-it-all)
Give you a box of chances, every time you blow it all (blow it all)
As if it was shade, you would just throw it all (throw it all)
It’s like you’re trying not to glow at all (glow at all)
Know-it-all (know-it-all)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, st-st-stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole, stole, st-st-stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn’t let anybody speak and inst—
The Light is Coming Lyrics Meaning
Now let’s dissect the meaning behind the lyrics of ‘The Light is Coming’ by Ariana Grande.
[Intro]
You wouldn't let anybody speak and instead—
You wouldn't let anybody speak and instead—
A disagreement between a member of the public and Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter is the source of this sample. Though this occurrence occurred in 2009, the man’s rage is introduced as the first line of Grande’s song “The Light is Coming.”
This sample gives Ariana’s lyrics, which depict the inner sense of light triumphing over darkness, a nice political background.
[Verse 1: Nicki Minaj]
Ay yo, trophy wife, out you won me
Until you had to find out it's one me
Now you benched, aww, your bum knee
Now I'm the bad guy, call me Chun-Li (ooh)
'Cause you was slippin', yep, you clumsy
And everything I peep, can't just unsee
Sips tea, and it's unsweet
Respect bad gyal when mi done speak
Now he shooting his shot like drive-by's
Why you had to make me go call up my side guy?
Can't let a f-boy f up my nice vibes
Yo Ariana, come let me give you a high five
Let’s break down the context of the first verse, which is lead by Nicki Minaj. Minaj is essentially pointing out the deterioration of a relationship and how she was able to get what she wanted in terms of love and attention from someone else. The explanation was simple: the other guy was making way too many mistakes, to the point that she wondered if he was really deserving of her time.
[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn't let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn't let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn't let anybody speak and instead—
The light is coming to give back everything the darkness stole
You wouldn't let anybody speak and instead—
The chorus follows, and is, of course, sung by Grande. There is a lot of focus on what light is here. It’s quite possible that this is a human. Later on, the word “darkness” is mentioned. There may be a straightforward distinction in which the new man is compared to light and the old guy to night. It may also be a newfound sense of liberation. Since a sample from a 2009 political dispute was used, these lyrics may also refer to a new leader that would take the place of an old one.
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
What did she say? What did he say?
You don't listen 'cause you know everything
You don't even need dreams
Tellin' everybody, Stay woke, don't sleep
Ariana Grande describes a conflict between two people who refuse to listen in this song. She believes that since the individual knows something, there is no need for him to risk dreaming. And she is enraged by someone who behaves as if he is clever and tells the world that he knows anything, despite the fact that he is incapable of everything due to his rigid mentality and unworthy perfection.
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
How can they tell you shit that you've been through?
They are so confused, who cares about their rational?
If it ain't your view
That's the bottom line
Know-it-all (know-it-all)
Give you a box of chances, every time you blow it all (blow it all)
As if it was shade, you would just throw it all (throw it all)
It's like you're trying not to glow at all (glow at all)
Know-it-all (know-it-all)
Grande continues with her bold songs, which shed light on the concept of inner bravery. She has a strict tone that says “enough is enough” in the face of all odds and obstacles. She teaches the universe that if there is something you can do to express your view, you can do it. It will never be done if it is not done now. These lyrics are reminiscent of her so-called “toxic relationship” with Mac Miller, whom she dated on and off from 2016 to 2018. Twitter blamed her for breaking Miller’s heart when the news of her split with him became public. But Ariana never gave up on standing up for herself, and she went on to say that Mac’s battle with alcohol had left them in a heavily saturated relationship that needed to be broken.
When you can’t hang on to anything that’s hurting you, Grande says you should give yourself a chance to break free and follow your own course, as well as share your opinions.
[Verse 3: Ariana Grande]
Why do we have chemistry?
With a need for speed
Doin' things that trouble clings to
And burns off our wings
Grande dismisses the worldly opinions that were directed at her after she ended her relationship with Miller. After much personal pain from a friendship that was too unhealthy for her, she discovers real love in another. She goes on to say that deep-rooted empathy is what allows every friendship to survive adversity. There is no liberty to celebrate equality in a relationship where there is no empathy, and such a feeling chokes the feelings from the inside.
Conclusion
The song “The Light Is Coming” by Ariana Grande is a powerful track with bold lyrics that explode with impactful intent. If it’s an old friendship that reminds you of romantic challenges or a new one that demands your love, it takes bravery to break away from its toxicity—which is exactly what this Sweetener track is about.
Some Fun Facts About The Song
1. The Light Is Coming was first performed at Wango Tango 2018 on June 2nd 2018.
2. The song was officially released as a promotional single on June 20, 2018, along with the pre-order of Grande’s fourth studio album, Sweetener. The music video was premiered a day later.
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
