After a long break due to the filming of the musical “Wicked,” Ariana Grande gracefully returns to the music industry. Even though many people are anticipating the release of her new album “Eternal Sunshine,” I can’t help but reflect on and admire her journey. As an Arianator, here are the songs that I think are the most underrated on each album.
Ariana Grande’s debut studio album, “Yours Truly” was released on August 30, 2013 and is easily one of her most underrated albums. This album is a mix of nostalgic R&B and pop music, filled with romantic, sweet, and heartfelt songs about love and heartbreak.
On Spotify, the song with the most number of plays for this album is “The Way” with Mac Miller charting at 415,331,124 plays, and the song with the least number of plays is “Better Left Unsaid” with 30,232,952 plays.
I would have to say that the most underrated song on this album would be “You’ll Never Know” with 48,596,898 plays. This song has a catchy and upbeat melody and explores the themes of unappreciated love and the frustrations of a situationship. My favorite lyric from this song is, “But what you don’t understand is that a girl like me don’t have any time to waste around.”
Her second album, “My Everything” was released on August 22, 2014 and incorporates a more diverse range of genres, including contemporary pop and a R&B vibe with elements of EDM and hip-hop.
This album is more mature and reflects on her growing artistry, including themes of love, heartbreak, and empowerment. On Spotify, the song with the most number of plays for this album is “One Last Time” with 1,364,867,487 plays, and the least number of plays is the intro song, “Intro” with 32,535,605 plays.
In my opinion, one of the most underrated songs on this album is, “Only 1” with 57,983,502 plays. This song captures the delicacy of a love struck young girl, in disbelief that she is the lucky girl who has his heart. The vulnerability and emotional depth of its lyrics that is complemented by her soulful vocals, make this song not only catchy, but relatable. My favorite lyric from this song is, “That we’re living in a fairytale with no malice in our lives.”
“Dangerous Woman,” Ariana Grande’s iconic third studio album was released on May 20, 2016 exploring seductive and empowering themes, with her vocals shining throughout,demonstrating her ability to convey both power and vulnerability.
The album incorporates elements of pop, R&B, and even explores a side with touches of soul, jazz, and electronic influences making it a pivotal moment for Grande. On Spotify, the song with the most number of plays for this album is, “Side to Side” with Nicki Minaj, with 1,372,415,404 plays and the least number of plays is, “Jason’s Song (Gave it Away)” with 29,859,163 plays.
Due to this album having 17 tracks, there are multiple underrated songs one of them being “Touch It” with 150,961,994 plays. This song is about longing for your partner and being willing to take risks for the sake of love.
She also sings about yearning for a deeper connection with a romantic partner and the desire to experience a more profound level of intimacy. The song is characterized by its dark/atmospheric production, and Ariana’s powerful, passionate, and soulful vocals contribute to its intense vibe. My favorite lyric from this song is, “Cause everytime I’m with you, I go into a zone”.
Grande’s fourth album, “Sweetener” was released on August 17, 2018 and is about bringing light and sweetness into life or a situation. Musically, Sweetener is a pop, R&B, and trap album incorporating elements of funk and hip hop, and heavily focuses on themes of love, healing, and self discovery.
On Spotify, the song with the most number of plays for this album is “no tears left to cry ” with 1,291,837,253 plays and the song with the least number of plays is, “blazed (feat. Pharell Williams)” with 62,578,414 plays.
The song “better off” with 142,094,915 plays is one that I would consider underrated off of this album lyrically, vocally, and musically. While the song reflects the end of a romantic relationship, it also conveys the relief that comes with that conclusion, allowing one to embrace their independence.
This song features minimalistic production with subdued instruments, allowing Grande’s vocals and lyrics to take center stage. Through all of these raw and pure lyrics, my favorite is, “You keep me in your orbit. Well, I know I’m a hard one to please”.
“Thank u, next” her fifth album released on February 8, 2019 was an era where you just had to be there. This album carries a deeply personal and introspective vibe and is overall raw, honest, and vulnerable, yet empowering.
It blends elements of pop, R&B, and hip hop with a more stripped down and intimate production style, allowing Ariana’s vocals and the emotional depth of her lyrics to shine through..
On Spotify, the song with the highest number of plays for this album is “7 rings’ ‘ with 2,160,188,385 plays and the song with the least number of plays is, “make up” with 152,077,873 plays.
The song that is most underrated on this album is, “fake smile” with 218,397,541 plays, featuring a laid back R&B-infused production, with an atmospheric instrumentation. The song addresses the pressure to put on a facade of happiness despite struggling internally, and encourages listeners to embrace their true feelings rather than pretending to be ok when they’re not. My favorite lyric would have to be, “If I’m being honest, I’ve been through way too much.”.
Her sixth studio album, “Positions” released on October, 30 2020 is a little different from her previous albums focusing on the genre of mid tempo R&B, carrying a more sophisticated and intimate vibe.
This album focuses on the themes of love and sex, each track offering a glimpse into Grande’s journey of self discovery and love. Since this album has a deluxe version, I will be analyzing the 5 additional songs separately.
On Spotify, the song with the highest number of plays is “positions” with 1,366,896,178 and the song with the least is “west side” with 81,942,640 plays. I think the song, “love language” with 84,700,231 plays is the most underrated on this album.
This song is a fun and upbeat track that emphasizes the idea that everyone has their own unique way of expressing and receiving love, and it’s essential to learn and appreciate each other’s “love language” to have successful communication in a relationship.
One prominent lyric is, “You the medication when I’m feeling anxious.” “Positions (Deluxe)”, released February 19 2021 offers 5 extra tracks to the original album. On Spotify, the highest number of plays out of those 5 songs is “34+35 (Remix) (Ft. Doja Cat & Megan Thee Stallion)” with 241,864,095 plays and the least amount is for the song, “someone like u- interlude” with 21,542,096 plays.
“worst behavior” with 49,478,756 plays, deserves more recognition for its themes of passion and desire. Arianas vocals are confident and commanding, delivering the message that you should be rebellious and spontaneous while embracing the excitement and intensity of the moment with your partner. My favorite lyric in this song is, “This love just ain’t disposable”.
Looking back at her music, Ariana Grande never disappoints. Whether it’s her lyrics, production, or visuals, she always is determined to put out her best work and make her fans feel connected.
I already know her new album is going to be out of this world. Stream “Eternal Sunshine” on March 8th.
What is your favorite underrated song by Ariana Grande? Let us know @HerCampusSJSU