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Manchester One Love: Ariana Grande's 10 best songs
Ariana Grande is one of those hugely successful megastars that, before the Manchester bombing at any rate, you might not even have heard of.
But the 23-year-old former Nickelodeon star has more to her name than a few trite yet catchy chart hits; you’d be hard pressed to find a more impressive set of pipes in modern pop, and the sound she’s cultivated with the help of top production teams is nigh on irresistible. Don’t believe us? Have a go on these ten of her best songs.
1. Into You
An anthem for those heady days of relentlessly texting your crush, impatient for “a little less conversation, a little more touch my body”, Into You is a perfectly formed pop hit. Little wonder with chart-whisperer Max Martin on production duties (as he is for many of Grande’s top songs). From the cascading “into yous” of the chorus to the pulsing synths and shimmering two octaves worth of vocal gymnastics, there are multiple reasons why turning Into You off at a houseparty is a crime punishable by - well, not death, but definitely by getting kicked out.
2. Break Free
It may be full of incredibly incorrect English - one line goes “Now that I’ve become who I really are” which, really, come on now - but Break Free is a textbook empowerment anthem, with a fist-in-the-air chorus that grows with each verse until an explosive end. Electronic Dance Music (EDM) producer Zedd brings thumping beats and pew-pew-pew sound effects to the party but this wouldn’t be much without the gusto with which Ariana informs you that she doesn’t need you dragging her down anymore.
3. The Way
An early single that cemented Ariana Grande as a mature artist, angling her away from younger fans of her TV work (they stuck around anyway, because loyalty). Mariah-esque melismas and a guest rap from boyfriend Mac Miller moved Ariana firmly into the realms of hip-hop inspired pop, the coy lyrics a mere harbinger of the smut to come.
4. Love Me Harder
It was mostly thanks to Love Me Harder that The Weeknd managed to slink his way from coke-loving hipster sex-fiend to bonafide pop star - but it also helped Ariana to shed her virginal Barbie-doll image. The duet suits both voices perfectly while the throbbing, atmospheric RnB track evokes the restrained sex that’s under discussion.
5. Dangerous Woman
Ariana was not messing around with her third solo album, and this first single set out its store fairly definitively as well as giving the album its name. Diva-ish enough to make it as a Bond theme, sultry enough to seduce the casual listener, the slow tick-tock rhythm gives her room to really belt it out. And boy does she.
6. Be Alright
It’s hard not to believe that “Every little thing is gonna be alright” when you’re bopping to the skeletal marimba riff and irresistible house beat of Be Alright. There’s a playground chant feel to the bridge and nods to Bob Marley but nothing feels out of place, the song knitted together by Grande’s supremely confident vocals. The sound of friendly reassurance when you’re stumbling onto the dancefloor several proseccos deep.
7. Touch It
Fans remain consistently baffled about why this was never released as a single when touch It is among the best songs on an album bursting with very good songs. Grande’s voice soars over doomy synths and cutting trap drum rolls as she makes plain her thirst for a lover who, for reasons that make no sense at all, wants to go on a break.
8. Problem
One of Grande’s strengths is taking a retro style vocal and making it into something contemporary and exciting - not least on this mega-smash, all tea dance swing, contemporary RnB and rousing horns as she twirls through her newfound independence. If you can overlook the presence of Iggy Azalea, so much the better.
9. One Last Time
Probably David Guetta’s best work, this paean to a final night with a lover you don’t deserve sees Ariana reign herself in, humbling herself in front of the man she cheated on but wants back. Driving drums and an understated dance riff save it from being too self-pitying.
10. Side To Side
Continuing the grand tradition of pop songs loved by pre-teens that are about hot and filthy bedroom antics, Side To Side is about enjoying an encounter so vigorous, you can’t walk the next day. Just in case there was any doubt left in your mind that Ariana is a grown woman with a healthy sexual appetite. Set to a summery reggae lilt and featuring Nicki Minaj, it was clearly precision engineered to climb the charts - and, hey, it worked.