Ariana Grande's surprise single 'thank u, next' is smash hit

Ariana Grande released a new single, 'thank u, next' in response to her recent heartbreak. The single refers to her exes and the values she has gained from each relationship. Four of her exes are mentioned in the single; rapper Big Sean, dancer Ricky Alvarez, the late Mac Miller and ex-fiancé Pete Davidson.

The singer explains she is grateful for learning from each experience, "One taught me love / One taught me patience / And one taught me pain". Thanking all of her exes bar one, Grande never got the chance to properly thank Mac Miller saying "Wish I could say, "Thank you" to Malcolm / 'Cause he was an angel", in the song.

Above all the 'God is a Woman' singer expresses she is focusing on self-love. She claims to have met someone else in the song, Ari, hinting at finding strength in herself.

The single was released moments before Saturday Night Live (SNL) aired, co-hosted by Pete Davidson her most recent ex. While promoting the new season of SNL, Davidson made a joke referring to his engagement to Grande. In the clip Davidson, alongside guest host Jonah Hill, asks musical guest Maggie Rogers to marry him. Some people took it as a blatant disrespect to his relationship to Grande.

ɢᴇᴛ ᴇxᴄɪᴛᴇᴅ!@JonahHill hosts #SNL this week with musical guest @maggierogers! pic.twitter.com/RBtFmaAYth

— Saturday Night Live - SNL (@nbcsnl) November 1, 2018

Following the release of 'thank u, next', Davidson addressed his relationship with the singer thirty minutes later on SNL. The comedian stated “The last thing I will say is I know some of you are pretty curious about the breakup. But the truth it’s nobody’s business, and sometimes things just don’t work out, and that’s OK. She’s a wonderful, strong person, and I genuinely wish her all the happiness in the world.”

Fans were surprised to see the singer promote new music so quickly after her latest album release. The single 'thank u, next' comes just three months after the launch of sweetener. Responding to her followers on Twitter, she revealed this is the first track from her new album coming soon.

The audio video on YouTube holds the no.2 trending spot with 6.2 million views only one day after its release, ahead of 'Woman Like Me' by Little Mix. Ariana Grande must've known how successful the song would be as tongue-and-cheek lyric "least this song is a smash" is included, and a day later already very true.

Taking to Twitter and Instagram, Grande thanked her fans, saying "thank u ♡ for hearing me and for making me feel so not alone 🖤 i truly am grateful. no matter how painful! i’m thankful and i love u." The singer also revealed a music video for 'breathin' is coming soon.

Listen to the single below.