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"Ghostin" (stylized in all lowercase) is the eighth track from Ariana Grande's fifth studio album, Thank U, Next.[1] It was released on February 8, 2019, through Republic Records.

Background[]

The song was confirmed on Instagram on January 22, 2019.[1]

According to Grande, "Ghostin" was the first song written and recorded for the album, and took the longest to write: "we had to take lil breaks from ghostin. that was the first hook done and then we came back and did the verses like two weeks later... everything else we did in like an hour".[2][3] She also stated that this was the hardest song she wrote for the album, especially the second verse.[4]

On January 23, 2019, Grande was asked what this song is about and she responded to the fan and said that it's about "feeling badly for the person you're with because you love somebody else. Feeling badly because he can tell he can't compare... and how I [she] should be ghosting him."[5]

After finishing the song, Grande didn't want it to be on the album and begged Scooter Braun to take it off, but he ended up convincing her to keep it on the album.[4] Savan Kotecha, who co-wrote the song, told Rolling Stone of working on the track: "[When we were writing] 'Ghostin,' we were in New York... The song speaks for itself in terms of what it's about. We were with her for a week in New York witnessing that, witnessing her feelings on that."[6]

Chart performance[]

On the week ending February 23, 2019, the song debuted at number 25 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[7]

Trivia[]

  • With the duration of 4 minutes and 31 seconds, this is the longest song on Thank U, Next.
  • This is Joan Grande's favorite song from the album.[4]
  • Lyrically, it discusses Grande's last two relationships, stating that "she should ghost the guy that still makes her cry and wants to stop hurting the person she is with now while he is being patient with her," being Mac Miller and Pete Davidson.[8]
  • Grande didn't want to put the song on Thank U, Next because it's too personal, but Scooter Braun wanted Ariana to put it on the album.
  • Ariana said she didn't really finish the song. There was supposed to be a third verse, but Ariana kept breaking down while recording the song, so she just did harmonies instead.
  • Grande revealed that she doesn't listen to this song because it's too hard for her and it was the hardest to write.[4]
  • For the same reason, she decided not to perform it on the Sweetener World Tour.
  • There is a sample of Mac Miller’s ‘2009’. “We’ll get through this/We’ll get past this,” she sings softly at one point as a similar string arrangement to that on her ex-boyfriend’s song plays beneath.
  • At 4:02, you can hear somebody say "I love you, Ariana" with heavy vocal effects.

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
I know you hear me when I've cried
I try to hold it in at night
While you're sleeping next to me
But it's your arms that I need this time (This time)
Look at the cards that we've been dealt
If you were anybody else
Probably wouldn't last a day
Every tear's a rain parade from hell (From hell)
Baby, you do it so well

[Pre-Chorus]
You've been so understanding, you've been so good
And I'm puttin' you through more than one ever should
And I'm hatin' myself 'cause you don't want to
Admit that it hurts you

[Chorus]
I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again
Over him, mmm
I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again
'Stead of ghostin him

[Post-Chorus]
We'll get through this, we'll get past this, I'm a girl with
A whole lot of baggage
But I love you, we'll get past this, I'm a girl with
A whole lot of baggage, mmm, yeah

[Verse 2]
Though I wish he were here instead
Don't want that living in your head
He just comes to visit me
When I'm dreaming every now and then (And then)
And after all that we been through (And after all that we been through)
There's so much to look forward to
What was done and what was said
Leave it all here in this bed with you (With you)
Baby, you do it so well

[Pre-Chorus]
You've been so understanding, you've been so good
And I'm puttin' you through more than one ever should
And I'm hatin' myself 'cause you don't want to
Admit that it hurts you, baby

[Chorus]
I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again
Over him, mmm
I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again
'Stead of ghostin him

[Post-Chorus]
We'll get through this (Mmm), we'll get past this, I'm a girl with (Girl with)
A whole lot of baggage
But I love you (Love you), we'll get past this (Past this), I'm a girl with (Girl with)
A whole lot of baggage, mmm, yeah (Baggage, yeah, yeah)

References[]

Thank U, Next
February 8, 2019 • 41:04 • Republic Records
Songs
Released 7 RingsBad IdeaBloodlineBreak Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm BoredFake SmileGhostinImagineIn My HeadMake UpMonopolyNASANeedyThank U, Next
Unreleased BrittleClose FriendsConfusedCould Be UsDr NickDon't Waste My TimeHow I Look On YouHell YeaIndicaIn The MomentItallianoJuiceLa La LieLike ThatMade Of TheseMy HairNot OkRememberSomething DifferentStill On Ur MindTommy PWhat Would You
Artists
Ariana GrandeVictoria Monét2 Chainz
Tour
Sweetener World Tour
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