Her Campus Logo Her Campus Logo
Culture > Entertainment

Why “thank u, next” is the Breakup Anthem We All Needed

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Temple chapter.

If you’re anything like me, you love a good breakup jam. And if you’re really like me, you’ve also been listening to Ariana Grande’s new single, “thank u, next,” since it came out earlier this month.

Keep reading for why “thank u, next” is not only the breakup song we needed—but the one we deserved.

1. It’s a bop

“Thank u, next” is not only Ariana’s first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100, it’s also the first No. 1 debut by a female artist since Adele dropped “Hello” way back in 2015.

And the numbers don’t lie—take a quick look at your friends’ Spotify activity and you’ll probably catch more than a few people jamming to the song. I’m honestly just grateful to be #blessed with new Ariana music already—less than three months after she released her album Sweetener!

2. It teaches us to learn from our exes

While I appreciate vengeful and bitter breakup songs (“Before He Cheats,” anyone?), there’s something to be said for Ariana’s refreshing take on “thank u, next.”

The song teaches us not to resent our exes, but to appreciate the lessons we’ve learned from them. There’s no reason to break down our exes, because there’s two sides to every story. As Ariana gracefully sings, “Look what you taught me / And for that, I say / Thank you, next.”

3. It teaches self-love

My favorite part of “thank u, next” is the twist in the second verse when Ariana sings about entering a new relationship, only to reveal that she’s actually singing about her relationship with herself.

Self-love isn’t just important, it’s essential for our well-being especially after a breakup. After all, the relationship we have with ourselves is one that has to be strong and healthy because it lasts forever.

“Thank u, next” is not only an another amazing song by Ariana Grande, it’s insightful and empowering; a breath of fresh air to hear on the radio.

If the success of this new song is any indication of what to expect from Ariana’s upcoming album, be prepared to hear her everywhere once it drops. You’re welcome.

 

Anna Hirsch

Temple '20

I'm a junior Advertising major at Temple University who's constantly in pursuit of creativity. You can most often find me writing, baking, making music, or messing around in Photoshop.