Ariana Grande is easily one of the most exciting young vocalists today.
The tiny-framed singer – boasts of a vast vocal range and can blow the roof-off of songs, even when she has to pull them off totally live.
Her transformation from stardom to superstardom has been pretty epic in the past couple of years, particularly with her first couple of #1’s on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, from the 2019-released album, ‘Thank U, Next.’
In a short-span of time, the singer-songwriter already has had a pretty long string of ultra-catchy bops and hair-raising ballads, that constitute of some of her best works so far!
Here’s counting down 10 of her best released songs (singles and non-singles) so far:
10) Why Try
A beautiful and heartfelt tune as featured on Grande’s second studio album, My Everything. A song about being hooked into a destructive relationship, and still loving it way too much to let go. Ariana’s sweeping vocals towards the bridge do the trick in conveying the complexity of these contradicting emotions.
9) 7 Rings
Ariana’s take on trap music, mixing it up with a classic Hollywood musical moment from Julie Andrews’ The Sound Of Music. 7 Rings gave Ariana her second #1 on Billboard Hot 100 in a row and also one of her biggest and catchiest hits thus far.
8) Break Free
Her collaboration with Russian DJ Zedd, resulted into this EDM-led hit back in 2014, when the genre was at it’s height of popularity. An out and out club banger, Break Free was featured on Ariana’s second studio album, peaking at #4 on Billboard Hot 100. Combined with Grande’s massive chops, this is an absolute bop.
7) Love Me Harder
A duet with fellow RnB performer The Weeknd, this sultry and sexy tune, is lustful, sensual and naughty and it is not just because of the very in-your-face-lyrics (“can you feel the pressure between your hips? I’ll make it feel like the first time”) but also because of Ariana’s whispery erotic vocals – which reach almost orgasmic exclamations after the bridge.
6) Dangerous Woman
A high-on-drama vocal performance from Grande on a delicious production. Dangerous Woman is goosebumps-inducing, especially with her powerhouse vocals after the climax. The whole “femme-fatale” vibe of this heavily produced tune, topped up with her stellar belting abilities – turns this into an almost theatrical experience.
5) Thank U, Next
Ariana’s first #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and perhaps her most personal single yet. Name-dropping her past ex’s without being saucy about it, this was Ari’s personal ode to her lovers – but more so importantly an anthem about loving yourself. Released after all the drama surrounding her personal life, this became in instant classic.
4) The Way
An ultra catchy and sugary-sweet romantic duet between Ariana and Mac Miller from the time the two were dating, released in 2013 from her debut album. The young innocence of their chemistry in this beautiful track, makes it one of the most delightful easy-listening experience from Grande’s earlier work, and also one of her best tracks yet.
3) Side To Side
This Nicki Minaj collaboration had all the elements to be a #1, but for whatever reasons, it didn’t – peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Perhaps her catchiest mid-tempo, the delicious melody on this bop – has turned it into one of her most listened to tracks on streaming platforms.
2) One Last Time
Great production, great vocals and great lyrics – the track packs all three of the punches together, turning it into one of her best songs yet. Released in the year 2014, the song was a worldwide hit, reaching Top 10 in over 7 countries. It gets a #2 placement on the list for it’s overall catchiness and for Grande’s smashing vocal delivery.
1) God Is A Woman
Released on her 2018 album – Sweetener, God is a Woman is a song about the subtle celebration of womanhood and a woman’s ability to make a man experience godliness in a relationship. But it is towards the climax (like most Ariana songs) when she reaches for those sky-high notes accompanied by a full-blown choir, raising the roofs behind her, that she takes it to church.
We certainly need more of these Ariana + Church Choir musical experiences!
Grande clearly has a lot of potential to deliver music that can stand the test of time and her range of astounding, big-production ballads and uptempo’s are a proof, that she’s here to stay.
Honourable mentions also go to her songs like – Baby I, Problem, Focus, Best Mistake, no tears left to cry and break up with your girlfriend.