A Breakdown of Ariana Grande’s Brighter Days Ahead

 

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Ariana Grande has had a busy year with the release of her seventh studio album Eternal Sunshine, the filming and promotion of Wicked, award season and now, a year after the album’s release, she has blessed us with six brand new tracks as part of the deluxe – Brighter Days Ahead.

Now of course every song is uniquely stunning and all of her fans are dissecting each lyric to find a hidden meaning. Here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about Ms. Grande’s latest release.

 

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The first new track on her deluxe was ‘intro (end of the world) – extended’, a lengthened version of the Eternal Sunshine intro. During the new second verse of the song, Ari discusses how she felt her relationship had ended long before she had separated from her partner, assumed to be her ex husband Dalton.

“I broke your heart because you broke mine / So me, I am the bag guy ‘Cause I’d already grieved you / And you started to realize I do need ya, I did I wish I could un-need ya, so I did”.

The second new track ‘twilight zone’ became a fan favourite within minutes. Throughout the song Ari contemplates her past relationships, asking herself did it really happen because when she looks back on her time with that person it feels like she was “stuck in the twilight zone”.

Ari also discusses feelings of frustration when you see someone who hurt you move on and be happy with someone sense “Does she know you’re not who you say you are? ‘Cause I might give her a call Or was I just not me at all?”

During the song we see Ari come to the realisation that she is fully over the person and now finds it peculiar to think that they were ever together. “And it’s not like I’m still not over you / It’s so strange, this I never do / Not that I miss you, I don’t / Sometimes, I just can’t believe you happened”.

 

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Ariana’s third track ‘warm’ is about personal strength and growth. Throughout the song Ari discusses how she’s finally accepted that she does not need to be in a relationship to feel complete but also that she comfortable with being in one if she finds the right person.

We see her contrast the words ‘cool’ and ‘warm’ referring to how she feels in and out of a relationship. “’Cause I’m cool (‘Cause I’m cool) On my own (On my own) But it’s warmer In your arms”. Fans speculate that she wrote the song based on her new relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater as Ariana has expressed in the past that Wicked and the connections she made during the movie have helped heal parts of her.

The next song is bringing back what fans like to call “trapiana”, similar to the rap songs she would make during her thank u, next era. The song is titled ‘dandelion’ implying that she can grant any wish. The song is upbeat and sexy, a departure from the other tracks on the extended album.

“I got (Got), what you need (You need) I’m thinking you should plant this seed”, “And, yes, I promise, if I’m being honest You can get anything you’d like Can’t you see I bloom at night? Boy, just don’t blow this, got me like, “What’s your wish list?” You can get anything you’d like I’ll be your dandelion, mm”. We were all waiting for a “yuh” to sneak in there!

@arianagrande

dandelion ♡ brighter days ahead ♡

♬ dandelion – Ariana Grande

The second last track on the deluxe is titled ‘past life’ where Ariana speaks about how she finally feels content with leaving people behind and moving on with her life. Throughout the song we see Ari speak on how she has gained emotional strength since her last relationship and is finally in a happy place not only with her new relationship but with herself.

“Always wondered what would happen if I let you lose me / Always wondered what would happen if I let myself need more / Might fuck around and elevate my expectations / Now I’m (I’m), fine (Fine), to leave you in a past life.”

Finally, Ariana left us on a heart touching note with her final song ‘hampstead’. During the song Ariana speaks about the breakdown of her marriage and how towards the end of the relationship she felt as if she was emotionally drained and trapped. “I would rather feel everything than nothing every time / Ooh, fear me, stranger, a little bit of sugar, danger / I’d rather be seen and alive than dying by your point of view”.

 

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Fans have speculated that the final line of the song was a homage to Ariana’s late ex-boyfriend Mac Miller as she switched the repeated lyrics throughout the song to “rather be swimming with you than drowning in a crowded room” which references a song off Mac’s album ‘Swimming. With lyrics like these she continues to break our hearts!

Next there was a secret surprise for her fans Ariana released a music video that is over 26 minutes long titled ‘brighter days ahead’. Throughout the music video Ariana includes many songs off of Eternal Sunshine while acting as the role of ean elderly version of Peaches, or Graniana as her fans are calling her, her character in the ‘we can’t be friends – wait for your love’ music video.

 

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During the video Ariana makes many references to famous movies such as X-Men, Harry Potter, Inside Out, Frankenstein, Star Wars, War of the Worlds and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The premise of the music video follows an elderly Peaches who only has four existing memories remaining, which she chooses to watch back in the Bright Days Ahead clinic.

We see Peaches go through each memory, one from childhood, one from touring, one from the burning building of her old home and finally a Frankenstein inspired scene where Ariana’s father is helping put her back together, a metaphor for how her father helped her get through her divorce.

This deluxe has truly shown us how far Ariana has come in her healing journey and hopefully is a sign that she won’t be putting her microphone down anytime soon!