Advertisement
Dublin: 9 °C Friday 29 March, 2024
thank u next

Thank you, next: Why the Ariana Grande/Taylor Swift comparision is reductive AF

Women’s feelings aren’t one dimensional.

ARIANA GRANDE IS out here breaking records with her new single, ‘thank u, next’.

Ariana broke the global and US record for the biggest single day for a female artist in Spotify history with ‘thank u, next’, the breakup anthem she dropped 30 minutes before Pete Davidson’s SNL stint.

Can you blame her, after his own joke in a promo for the episode fell extremely flat, with Ari and Arianators alike?

Saturday Night Live / YouTube

Can’t see the video? Click here.

Womp womp.

On the song, Ariana doesn’t just name-check Pete: she also mentions past baes Big Sean, Ricky Alvarez and the late Mac Miller and how they’ve helped her when it comes to her own personal growth.

Big Sean, left, and Ariana arrive at the 57th annual Grammy Awards at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. AP / PA Images AP / PA Images / PA Images

Ariana Grande Arrives In Japan Ariana and her then-boyfriend Ricky Alvarez are seen upon arrival at Tokyo International Airport in Tokyo, Japan, on April 11, 2016. Kento Nara / Geisler-Fotopress Kento Nara / Geisler-Fotopress / Geisler-Fotopress

Ariana’s uniquely mature songwriting approach has been widely praised. Ultimately though, people couldn’t help but draw comparisons with another female artist: Taylor Swift.

2018 American Music Awards - Arrivals - Los Angeles SIPA USA / PA Images SIPA USA / PA Images / PA Images

Yes, because who’s more famous for writing about her exes than her? (As if she’s the only artist to ever do so.) As expected, the tone of discussion soon turned into a grudge match, with commentators quick to point to ‘thank u, next’ as to what Taylor should be doing. 

How boring though, right?

You can’t police a woman’s feelings, no matter how much you might not vibe with them. (And if we did, all break up anthems would inevitably sound the same.) As Ariana has every right to feel thankful, Taylor had every right to feel angry. It’s misogynistic – and just downright lazy – to suggest she should feel otherwise. 

Taylor’s an easy target because she’s singled herself out as an angry, female artist. Yet, nobody would attempt to cross examine with Ariana with the likes of Justin Timberlake,  who continues to name check Britney 16 afters their relationship ended. Where are the suggestions that he should take a leaf out of The Book of Ariana?

One woman’s message doesn’t take away from another’s, especially when it’s one focused on female empowerment. Thank you, next!

DailyEdge is on Instagram!

Your Voice
Readers Comments
1
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel