Ariana Grande

Ariana Grande avatar image
checked
​better off album cover

​better off

Ariana Grande

Lyrics

[Intro]
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no
No, no, no, no

[Verse 1]
You keep me in your orbit
Well, I know I'm a hard one to please
Give it too much importance
My love will have you fall to your knees
I tell 'em this too often
Know better than to bark up my tree
Just for me to fall and leave
Nah, I'd rather just watch you smoke and drink, yeah

[Pre-Chorus]
Steering clear of any headaches to start
And if we're being honest
I'd rather your body than half of your heart
Or jealous-ridden comments
That come when you let in them feelings that I don't want
I never let 'em know too much
Hate gettin' too emotional, yeah

[Chorus]
I'm better off without him
I'm better off being a wild one
On the road a lot, had to keep it a thousand
So that I'm better off not being around ya
[Verse 2]
Go on and face it, I'll never be ready for you, ready for you
I swear my love is a curse, make you head over shoes, head over shoes
Let's put them topics to bed and go fuck on the roof, just to say that we did it
You keep insisting I listen to your proposition
I dismiss 'em all, no offense, yeah

[Pre-Chorus]
Steering clear of any headaches to start
And if we're being honest
I'd rather your body than half of your heart
Or jealous-ridden comments
That come when you let in them feelings that I don't want
I never let 'em know too much
Hate gettin' too emotional, yeah

[Chorus]
I'm better off without him
I'm better off being a wild one
On the road a lot, had to keep it a thousand
So that I'm better off not being around ya

[Outro]
I'm better off without him
I'm better off being a wild one
On the road a lot, had to keep it a thousand
So that I'm better off not being around ya, uh

Ariana Grande image

Ariana Grande has been a pop cultural icon and has released a string of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums. One of her most remarkable and powerful songs is "better off." It is a song about Ariana’s personal relationship and life, which is a recurring theme in her music. On "better off", she delves deep into her relationship and comes to the realization that her partner is not good for her.

About ​better off

"better off" is a song that was released on Ariana Grande’s fourth studio album Sweetener in 2018. Interestingly, the song was not originally meant to be included in the album but was added after Ariana felt it was "too honest" about her relationship at the time. The song was written by Kaydence, and she introduced it to Ariana. The emotional delivery of the song and the lyrics make it one of the most personal and powerful songs of Ariana’s career.

The song has been linked to Ariana's relationship with rapper Mac Miller, which ended three months before the song’s release. In the song, Ariana sings about leaving a toxic relationship, and editor’s notes on Apple Music expressed similar sentiments. Although Kaydence has said that the song was not written with Ariana’s relationship in mind, Ariana’s statement about the song being a late addition to Sweetener suggests that the song was representative of her relationship with Miller.

Though it's debatable that "better off" is directly about Ariana’s relationship with Miller, the song's lyrics' emotional weight and reflective nature place it deep within her catalogue of overtly personal songs. The song has become a fan favorite and has received positive reviews from music critics.

The song starts with a somber tone set by the stripped-down piano accompaniment. The pace builds up beautifully and explodes with an energy that depicts the beauty in embracing oneself while recovering from a difficult relationship. In the song, Ariana faces her deepest fears and manages to come out stronger. The lyrics reflect that she may have been hurt along the way, but she was better off without her partner.

It's essential to note that "better off" is one of the songs on the album that show Ariana's vocal prowess. Her voice glides smoothly over the melodies, and her vibrato trickles around the high notes. The song showcases the soft and tranquil side of Ariana's voice, yet the high notes capture her coloratura range and powerful pipes.

The song has a clear message, reflecting the struggles that can come with leaving a relationship with the hopes of something better. Ariana's lyrics "I'm better off without him, I'm better off being a wild one" are empowering to the listener, and the song is beautiful in its message of personal empowerment and resilience.

"better off" is a powerful ballad about the end of a romantic relationship. While there are allusions to Ariana’s past relationships, it's ultimately a song about overcoming one's heartbreak and misgivings. It is a testament to the human spirit that we would not give up hope that there is something or someone better waiting for us in the end.

Conclusion

"better off" showcased Ariana’s vocal range and depth in emotion, making it one of the most popular songs of her career. The song's central theme of overcoming heartbreak resonates with so many, making it relatable and empowering. It’s a song that is powerful and symbolic, capturing emotions and providing comfort to listeners as they make their way through journeys of love, loss, and everything in between.