The 60 Best Ariana Grande Songs (2024)

‘Best Mistake’ feat. Big Sean (2014)

The piano-driven, hip-hop ballad “Best Mistake” is undoubtedly one of the most minimalist tracks Ariana has released, which is OK! Her crystalline vocals are near-perfect. But Ariana has grown so much since the release of “Best Mistake.”

‘Tattooed Heart’ (2013)

On “Tattooed Heart,” Ariana adds a fresher twist to doo-wop but keeps it simple. It’s hard not to compare the Yours Truly cut to the later evolution of her songs’ production and lyrics. However, she does deliver a stellar allusion to the 1950s era she’s emulating with a wink and a nod when she sings, “I wanna say we’re going steady,” with a sweet lilt.

‘The Light Is Coming’ feat. Nicki Minaj (2018)

The combination of Minaj and Grande was the stuff of superstar-collab pop dreams, with cheeky verses and slinky synths.

‘Everytime’ (2018)

From the foggy soundscape to the lyrics about the emotional trauma of being drawn back to an ex, it’s hard not to see the parallels between “Everytime” and “Ghostin.’ ” But “Everytime” feels more like a one-note exhaustive stream of consciousness.

‘Just Like Magic’ (2020)

“Just Like Magic” is as much about manifestation as it is about the privilege that comes with fame. While the downtempo R&B track from Positions is full of Ariana’s braggadocio, it feels more like a meditation or coping mechanism — however, its steady, twinkling beat gets a little repetitive.

Cashmere Cat feat. Ariana Grande, ‘Adore’ (2015)

The sexual tension in this song is palpable thanks to Ariana’s breathy vocals, really.

‘Shut Up’ (2020)

In a pizzicato-filled opening to Positions, Ariana dives into chamber pop while quipping about the rumors that circulate about her. “How you been spending your time? (How?) / How you be using your tongue? (How?) / You be so worried ’bout mine?” she asks, dripping with sarcasm. It’s as much parody as it is her reality.

‘Motive’ With Doja Cat (2020)

There’s no denying Doja Cat and Ariana Grande is a match made in musical heaven. Together they crafted a bouncy homage to ‘90s electro-house that is so sticky it doesn’t even matter what the lyrics are.

Troye Sivan feat. Ariana Grande, ‘Dance to This’ (2018)

“Dance to This” brings together two of the dreamiest vocalists for an understated pop duet. In the atmospheric dance bop, they detail a blossoming romance fostered by time away from the spotlight. And the best part? The scattered drum beat in the instrumental break is seemingly an ode to Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes’ Dirty Dancing hit, “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life.”

‘Thinking Bout You’ (2016)

“Thinking Bout You” is the definition of a sad banger and was ultimately the perfect cinematic closer for Dangerous Woman. It’s the kind of track that’s so chilling because of Ariana’s seismic vocals. “Oh, I don’t have you here with me / But, at least I have the memory,” she belts, as a way to self-soothe.

‘Bad Decisions’ (2016)

On “Bad Decisions,” Ariana is trying to make a point: Innocence be gone, she’s no longer the “good girl.” The hip-hop-meets-pop cut from Dangerous Woman resets her public image and has a sly wink to her debut studio album single, “The Way” (which featured Mac Miller), as she quips, “Ain’t you ever seen a princess be a bad bitch?” — a nod to Miller’s rap verse “You’re a princess to the public, but a freak when it’s time.”

‘Just a Little Bit of Your Heart’ (2014)

Penned by Harry Styles, “Just a Little Bit of Your Heart” is one of Ariana’s most heart-stopping tracks. The piano ballad, which details the anguish of hopelessly being in love with someone who is cheating on you, lets her pour out her feelings and deliver a sweeping chorus. “I don’t ever ask you where you’ve been / And I don’t feel the need to know who you’re with / I can’t even think straight / But I can tell that you were just with her,” she laments.

‘Only 1’ (2014)

The opening of the My Everything deep cut “Only 1” evokes the slinkiness of “Honey,” the lead single from Mariah Carey’s 1997 album, Butterfly, which makes the boom-trap song feel like a welcome throwback hit.

‘Greedy’ (2016)

The moments where Ariana transforms into a gospel disco queen are so precious. Every time she belts out the richly layered “greedy,” it’s like a religious experience. She’s “greedy for love,” and we’re “greedy” for those high notes.

‘Hands on Me’ feat. A$AP Ferg (2014)

The opening of the sensual “Hands on Me” evokes early 2000s Beyoncé, which is enough to give this song space on this list.

‘I Wish I Hated You’ (2024)

The twinkly lullaby like “I Wish I Hated You” is a stunning but anticlimactic track that closes the chapter of her marriage but ultimately feels like an interlude and an unfinished track.

‘You’ll Never Know’ (2013)

On “You’ll Never Know,” Ariana delivers a delicious moment where she steps into her power and shows an ex what they’ve been missing — she also flaunts some of her most breathlessly beautiful vocal runs. “Don’t get mad at me, ’cause you’ve been replaced / Know your place,” she taunts.

‘Positions’ (2020)

A sensual slow jam, “Positions” is the crux of her intimate sixth studio album of the same name. With plucked strings over a downtempo R&B melody, the provocative track is a throwback to Ariana’s early pop days and puts a modern twist on traditional gender roles.

‘True Story’ (2024)

A haunting downtempo R&B number, “True Story” is a sassy letter to Grande’s haters reflecting on the time wasted on the rumors surrounding her personal life: “See it in your eyes (Eyes), you got too much time/ For fun, you like to pray for my demise, mm/But I’ll play whatever part you need me to/ And I’ll be good in it, too.”

‘Santa Tell Me’ (2014)

Yes, Mariah Carey is the “Queen of Christmas,” but Ariana is a close second. Heartbroken too many times, she makes a relatable plea to Santa in this holiday cheer-tinged pop track: “Don’t make me fall in love again / If he won’t be here next year.” It’s playful, cheeky, and extremely Ariana.

‘Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored’ (2019)

“Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” is the epitome of thirst. Leaning into pure savagery, Ariana crafts a brassy, bouncy anthem where she’s ready to steal somebody’s guy or girl. It doesn’t hurt that the sassy earworm is catchy as hell and features a sample of ‘NSYNC’s No Strings Attached track “It Makes Me Ill” in its bridge.

‘Imperfect for You’ (2024)

On “Imperfect for You,” the guitars of Eternal Sunshine’s “intro” return for a barebones track that recounts the demise of her marriage. “How could we know/ That this was a happy disaster/I’m glad we crashed and burned,” Grande croons with a psych-tinged lilt.

‘The Boy Is Mine’ (2024)

Grande enlists her inner bad girl for “The Boy Is Mine,” which interpolates the eponymous Nineties Brandy and Monica duet and is an indirect continuation of her leaked track “Fantasize.” With the track, she addresses the homewrecking accusations and rewrites the narrative as destiny without ill intent. “How can it be? You and me/ Might be meant to be, can’t unsee it/ But I don’t wanna cause no scene/I’m usually so unproblematic/ So independent, tell me why/’Cause the boy is mine, mine,” she declares on the steamy number.

‘POV’ (2020)

In one of her most arresting vocal performances, Ariana dives headfirst into emotional honesty and her determination to love herself as much as those who idolize her do. The result is a stunning act of sincerity, but even the ethereal arrangements, plucked harp strings, and ‘90s R&B melody don’t make “POV” one of her more dynamic pop tracks.

‘Bye’ (2024)

A funky breakup anthem with a disco sheen, “Bye” is a sister song to “Thank U Next,” where Grande has cut her losses in a relationship in favor of herself. “This ain’t the first time I’ve been hostage to these tears/ I can’t believe I’m finally movin’ through my fears/ At least, I know how hard we tried, both you and me/ Didn’t we? Didn’t we?” she asks seeking reassurance from herself and her ex.

‘Love Me Harder’ feat. the Weeknd (2014)

With the combination of Ariana and the Weeknd, it makes sense that the song has a bit of a sexual edge. But “Love Me Harder” also channels cheesy ‘80s pop and features the sincere crooning of both artists. Together they make sultry synth-pop that sticks with you.

‘Be Alright’ (2016)

“Be Alright” is everything you want out of an Ariana banger: Nineties house beats, sun-kissed melodies and a sheen of optimism. It’s the kind of feel-good, dance-pop song that flourishes without the singer’s towering vocal runs, too.

‘Supernatural’ (2024)

Steeped in euphoria and lust, “Supernatural” sees Grande letting go of her guilt of giving into temptation and instead embracing it. She worries about what happens when the honeymoon is over, but isn’t letting it stop her from getting serious: “I want you to come claim it, I do/ What are you waiting for?/ Yeah, I want you to name it, I do/ Want you to make it yours.”

‘Problem’ feat. Iggy Azalea (2014)

Ariana and Iggy Azalea were a surprisingly perfect match for this biting, sax-tinged smash. It’s no “Fancy,” but it’s a solid pairing.

‘Ordinary Things (feat. Nonna)’ (2024)

With a sweet clip of her Nonna reflecting on the lessons she learned being married to her own husband and no signature vocal runs, “Ordinary Things” is a clear-eyed ode to being comfortable in a relationship and musing about the magical possibilities that come in the simplest of moments because everything feels right: “There’s never gonna be an ordinary thing/ As long as I’m with you.”

‘Moonlight’ (2016)

As Dangerous Woman’s opener, “Moonlight” is the thread that ties her old work with her new direction. Taking on the role of a 1950s crooner, Ariana delves into the sound of Yours Truly and My Everything with this starry-eyed, string-enriched track that feels like it could soundtrack the opening to an old Hollywood film.

‘Break Free’ feat. Zedd (2014)

Ariana dipped her toes (successfully) into the EDM pool with this catchy club hit — and the floodgates opened.

‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ (2017)

In the wake of the Manchester bombing, Ariana paid tribute to the lives lost with the One Love Manchester concert a year later. To close it, she delivered an emotional, piano-backed rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” her “grandpa’s favorite.” It’s undeniably one of her most moving performances.

‘Don’t Wanna Break Up Again’ (2024)

“Don’t Wanna Break Up Again” showcases the apparent downfall of Grande’s marriage — or “situationship” — to Dalton Gomez, which is not quite the fairytale she once envisioned it to be. Despite the pop star’s feathery falsetto, the track underpins the loneliness she’s felt in her relationship, echoing the pain she felt in “ghostin:” “I fall asleep cryin’/You turn up the TV/ You don’t wanna hear me/One more sleepless night.”

‘Honeymoon Avenue’ (2013)

Ariana leans into her inner hopeless romantic on the doo-wop-tinged “Honeymoon Avenue,” the lead single from her debut album, Yours Truly. With the glimmer of an old Hollywood score in the background, the singer pines for when she and her lover were at the peak of their romance, crooning, “Hey, what happened to the butterflies?”

‘Needy’ (2019)

‘Knew Better/Forever Boy’ (2016)

On “Knew Better/Forever Boy,” Ariana creates a two-part narrative that contrasts the strikingly different sides of romance she’s experienced. While the first section is a slow-burning kiss-off to a lover, the latter half is a buoyant synth-enriched EDM banger that evokes Rihanna and Calvin Harris’ “We Found Love.” But it’s also one particular track where the pop star’s storytelling chops shine.

‘Get Well Soon’ (2018)

Vocally, Ariana nails this soulful gospel ballad, which features Mariah Carey-tier belting. But as Sweetener’s closer, a song clocking in at 5:22 honoring those lost during the Manchester bombing — it’s a standout due to Ariana’s candor about the crushing anxiety she has battled since the attacks. The fact that it serves as a universal anthem for healing is a bonus.

‘Goodnight n Go’ (2018)

The world can’t thank Ariana enough for bringing Imogen Heap back into the cultural conversation. As a hallmark of The O.C. soundtrack, “Goodnight and Go” was a gateway for music fans into Heap’s discography, so to see Ariana sample the track with a trap twist on her fourth studio album, Sweetener, was a nostalgic callback that gave second life to an innovative songwriter and her deeply beloved 2005 song.

‘NASA’ (2019)

“NASA” is an ode to space, but not the outer kind. Rather, it’s a thoughtful metaphor for the importance of taking time apart in a relationship. Despite its sappy refrain (“I’m a star, I’ma need space”), the song is an ode to independent women. “This is one small step for woman / One giant leap for womankind,” Ariana sings over pulsating trap drums and booming bass.

‘Dangerous Woman’ (2016)

It’s fair to say that “Dangerous Woman” doesn’t exactly fit in with the entirety of the record, but it flaunts some of Grande’s strongest vocal work. What’s so alluring about the titular track of her third studio album is its sexy build-up—the slow-burning song taunts and teases until it explodes with a cinematic level of drama. But “Dangerous Woman” is more emblematic of Grande’s maturity as an artist—one who has refined her sound and commands respect with her vocal control.

‘Eternal Sunshine’ (2024)

The title track of Grande’s latest album is a sassy kiss-off that channels the cheeky rhythmic wordplay of Sabrina Carpenter’s catchy pop number “Nonsense.” In it, Grande acknowledges her own misdeeds — and her natural instinct to apologize — only to find out that her ex appeared to be guilty of infidelity as well: “I’ll be the first to say, “I’m sorry”/Now you got me feelin’ sorry/I showed you all my demons, all my lies/Yet you played me like Atari.”

‘R.E.M.’ (2018)

Ariana’s specialty is making her music sound like cascading rainbow glitter on clouds — and “R.E.M.” is a perfect case in point. On it, the singer returns to the doo-wop sound of Yours Truly while crafting a world that exists between fantasy and reality. The lyrics aren’t the singer’s most ambitious, but she crafts a sparkly ambiance that makes up for it.

‘In My Head’ (2019)

This R&B-inflected electro-ballad is a vulnerable confessional in which Ariana imagines creating an image of her lover in her head. “Painted a picture; I thought I drew you well / I had a vision, seeing what isn’t there,” she muses. The love of an idea just isn’t enough.

‘Pink Champagne’ (2013)

While “Pink Champagne” wasn’t a part of Yours Truly, its sugary pop ethos would have been a great addition to the record. It’s no surprise that effervescent lyrics like “Make it pop like champagne in the purple rain, we’re gonna paint the city!” came from Kesha, who penned the track.

‘Yes, And?’ (2024)

Inspired by Madonna’s 1990 ballroom classic “Vogue,” Grande made a splashy re-entrance in early 2024 with “Yes, And?,” the carefree lead single of Eternal Sunshine which touts a house-tinged groove. “Yes, And?” espouses a reclaimed sense of confidence and feisty attitude pointed at the pop star’s critics: “Don’t comment on my body, do not reply/Your business is yours and mine is mine/Why do you care so much whose dick I ride?”

‘7 Rings’ 2019)

If there’s anyone who knows how to make an aspirational breakup anthem, it’s Ariana. On this catchy pop-trap bop, which features a sample of “My Favorite Things” from Rodgers & Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music, the singer’s braggadocio takes over as she details her affinity for lavish experiences like “breakfast at Tiffany’s and bottles of bubbles” and matching diamonds for her six BFFs — that she paid for all on her own. “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it,” Ariana teases. “7 Rings” drives home the notion that money does in fact buy happiness — or at least acts as a solid consolation prize for Ariana. She says it herself: “Happiness is the same price as red bottoms.”

‘The Way’ feat. Mac Miller (2020)

While “The Way” isn’t necessarily the best Ariana track, it was pivotal in helping her move beyond the Nickelodeon space. What’s most striking about “The Way” is her euphoric vocals — it’s a smooth transition from her 2011 bubblegum pop single “Put Your Hearts Up” to the R&B space courtesy of a clever sample of Big Pun‘s 1998 hit “Still Not a Player.” While it’s a testament to the ecstasy of being in love that pre-dated Ariana and Miller’s romantic relationship, “The Way” now is undeniably heartbreaking to hear following the rapper’s untimely death.

‘Breathin’ ‘ (2018)

Ariana’s music is perhaps most affecting when her lyrics are as diaristic as possible. With “Breathin,’ ” she details the very real effects of battling anxiety (“Feel my blood runnin’, swear the sky’s fallin’”) and turns them into a relatable balm. But beyond its meaning, the lush synths and airy chorus of “Breathin’ ” make it an exhilarating ride — and one of Ariana’s finest moments as an artist.

‘God Is a Woman’ (2018)

If “God Is a Woman” doesn’t make you a member of the church of Ariana, I don’t know what will. Despite the track’s religious undertones, there’s nothing pious about this song. Instead, Ariana forges an empowerment trap track centered on the holiness of sexual liberation. “You, you love it how I move you / You love it how I touch you / My one, when all is said and done / You’ll believe God is a woman,” she chants. Perhaps the best thing about the song is the fact that the pop star allegedly multiplied her vocals to evoke the sound of a full gospel choir.