Ariana Grande Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Ariana Grande Wiki
This article is about the song. For the fragrance, see God Is A Woman by Ariana Grande.
And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger, those who attempt to poison and destroy my sisters. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

– Madonna in the music video.

"God Is A Woman" (stylized in sentence case) (abbreviated as "GIAW")is the second single and fifth track from Ariana Grande's fourth studio album, Sweetener.[1][2] It was released through Republic Records on July 13, 2018. A live version of the song is featured on K Bye For Now (SWT Live), which was released on December 23, 2019.

Background[]

Ilya Ariana and Savan the day they wrote GIAW

Ilya, Grande, and Savan Kotecha the day they wrote: "God Is A Woman".[3]

The track was first teased in a scene in the "No Tears Left To Cry" music video which displayed what appears to be an early version of the Sweetener tracklist. She confirmed it on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on May 1, 2018.[4]

In an interview with TIME, the song was described as "an anthemic, sultry banger". It was revealed that "Grande’s voice is layered so that it sounds like a choir, but really, it’s only her, multiplied".[5] On June 25, 2018, Grande said that the song is about "sexual female empowerment & how women are literally everything & the universe is inside of us".[6] On June 11, 2018, Grande posted a screenshot of her listening to the song.

It was originally announced that the song would be released on July 20, 2018,[7] however on July 12, 2018, Grande announced that it would be released on July 13, 2018.[2]

However, it has been confirmed that prior to it being Grande's song, it was a Camila Cabello song. On August 18, 2018, the demo snippet of the song was leaked by MusicMafia. On February 6, 2023, the full demo of the song leaked featuring Rita Ora.

On June 14, 2023, a scrapped alternative opening Intro for the music video leaked in full. The deleted scene of the music video leaked back in August 17, 2021, but it was only a small clip of it that leaked in very poor quality and it was filtered. The scrapped deleted alternative opening scene had no audio, but some people figured out that the audio that was used for the ALT video was a reference to the Universal Movie Intro, while Grande hums the song.

Audios[]

Commercial performance[]

"God Is A Woman" was officially serviced to contemporary hit and rhythmic radio on July 24, 2018. It reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 following the release of Sweetener,[8] after initially debuting at No. 11 on the Hot 100 dated July 28, 2018. It sold 43,000 digital downloads during its opening week, allowing it to enter the Digital Songs chart at number four while entering the Streaming Songs chart at number 11 with 25.1 million US streams, where it moved up to No. 8 in its second week on the chart.[9] In its second week, "God Is a Woman" fell ten positions to No. 21 on the Hot 100.[10] The song also entered Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 at No. 27, moving up to No. 23 the following week. It has since reached No. 14 on the chart.[11] In Canada, the song debuted at No. five on the Canadian Hot 100.[12]

In the United Kingdom, "God Is a Woman" entered the Official Trending Chart at number one following its release, with the song set to debut in the top ten of the chart regardless of any added points.[13] On July 20, 2018, the song opened at number four on the UK Singles Chart, where it became her seventh top-ten single in the country.[14] It also debuted on the UK R&B chart at number two, becoming her highest-charting entry there.[15] Similarly, it entered the Irish Singles Chart at number four, and at number eight in Scotland. In Australia, the song has debuted on the ARIA Charts at number five, marking her seventh top-ten entry there as well.[16]

The song also reached #1 on the US Pop Radio chart.[17]

Music video[]

The official music video for the song was filmed in early June 2018. Grande posted several videos behind the scenes on her Instagram stories between June 5 and 6.[18][19]

Grande announced on Twitter that the music video for "God Is a Woman" would premiere at noon on the same day of release. It was directed by Dave Meyers, who also directed the music video for "No Tears Left To Cry" and "The Light Is Coming."

Lyric video[]

A lyric video for the song was premiered on Grande's YouTube channel, featuring a cloud-filled background that transitions to a cosmic scene, ending with a still shot of the singer.

On June 15, 2023 an alternative intro for the Music Video "God Is A Woman" has leaked without sound on a Discord server.

Live performances[]

Grande first performed "God Is a Woman" at the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards on August 20, 2018. Grande's mother, grandmother, and aunt made an appearance at the end of the performance.[20] After the awards, Grande performed "God Is a Woman" at The Sweetener Sessions among other songs from Sweetener. A BBC one-hour special, Ariana Grande at the BBC, recorded on September 7, 2018, was aired on November 1, 2018, where Grande performed "God Is a Woman", among others.[21][22][23]

The song was a regular part of the setlist for Grande's Sweetener World Tour, which began on March 18, 2019.

Trivia[]

  • Grande recorded the song a day before she played Sweetener to Republic Records on March 2, 2018.[24]
  • This is Grande's grandmother, Marjorie's, favorite song from Sweetener.
  • This is also her ex-fiancé, Pete Davidson's, favorite song from the album.
  • In the video, Madonna portrays the voice of God, reciting Samuel L. Jackson's "Ezekiel 25:17" speech from Pulp Fiction: "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my sisters. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you."[25]
  • The song entered the top twenty of the record charts in multiple territories. It debuted at number four on the Irish Singles Chart[26] and the UK Singles Chart,[27] becoming her seventh top-ten single in the latter. The song also debuted at number six in New Zealand, and number eight in Scotland.[28][29]
  • Grande wrote the song within a day.[30][31]
  • Nonna and Joan Grande were present at the studio when Grande recorded the song.[24]
  • The song was originally intended to be given to a male rapper with a female singer on the chorus, but when Grande was approached for this, she wanted the song for herself.[32]
  • The song is featured on French video game company Ubisoft's dance game, Just Dance 2020, along with "7 Rings".
  • God Is A Woman surpassed 700 million streams on Spotify.
  • Grande has a fragrance and body-care line with the same name.
  • The track surpassed 800 million streams on Spotify and it's Ariana’s 9th song to reach this milestone.
  • Grande named a collection from her make up line as "flourishing", a lyric from the track.
  • In an Q&A video from R.E.M Beauty, Ariana confirmed this is one of her favorite songs from Sweetener.
  • Ariana Grande says "yuh" 22 times in God is a woman.
  • There was a deleted scene from the music video.
  • An instrumental to this song is on the Japanese edition of the album.
  • In the music video, while Grande is in the "pool of pussy", her hair is braided fabric instead of her actual hair.
  • The music video has many Mythologic references such as,
    • Ariana with Cerberus, the multi-headed dog that guards the gates of the Underworld. (Greek)
    • She then poses as the She-Wolf, an Italian wolf who nursed and sheltered the twins Romulus and Remus after they were abandoned in the wild. (Roman)
    • Grande also poses as Gaia, the primal goddess of earth (Greek)
  • She also iconically recreates The Creation of Adam, a Religious painting by artist Michelangelo.

Gallery[]

Videos[]


Just Dance[]

"God Is a Woman" is in Just Dance 2020, along with "7 rings". Two versions of "God Is a Woman" were released on Just Dance.

Lyrics[]

[Intro: Ariana Grande]
You, you love it how I move you
You love it how I touch you, my one
When all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, I feel it after midnight
A feeling that you can't fight, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
I don't wanna waste no time, yeah
You ain't got a one track mind, yeah
Have it any way you like, yeah
(And I can tell that you know I know how I want it)
Ain't nobody else can relate
Boy, I like that you ain't afraid
Baby, lay me down and let's pray
(I'm telling you the way I like it, how I want it)

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
(Yeah) And I can be all the things you tell me not to be
(Yeah) When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing
(Yeah) And he see the universe when I'm in company
It's all in me

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
You, you love it how I move you
You love it how I touch you, my one
When all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, I feel it after midnight
A feeling that you can't fight, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
(Yeah)
I tell you all the things you should know
So baby, take my hands, save your soul
We can make it last, take it slow, hmm-ah
(And I can tell that you know I know how I want it), how I want it, yeah
Mmm, you different from the rest
And boy, if you confess, you might get blessed
See if you deserve what comes next
(I'm telling you the way I like it, how I want it)

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
(Yeah) And I can be all the things you tell me not to be
(Yeah) When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing
(Yeah) And he see the universe when I'm in company
(Yeah) It's all in me (Ooooooh)

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
You, you love it how I move you (Oooooh)
You love it how I touch you, my one (Touch you, my one)
When all is said and done (When all is said and done)
You'll believe God is a woman (You'll believe God is a woman)
And I (And I), I feel it after midnight
A feeling that you can't fight, my one (A feeling that they can't fight, my one)
It lingers when we're done (It lingers when we're done)
You'll believe God is a woman (You'll believe God is a woman, yeah, yeah)

[Outro: Ariana Grande & Lead Choir]
(God is a woman)
(Yeah, yeah)
(God is a woman, yeah)
(Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
(One)
When all is said and done
You'll believe God is a woman
(You'll believe God is a woman)
(You'll believe God)
(God is a woman)
(Oh, yeah)
(God is a woman, yeah)
(Ooooooh)
(One)
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
(You'll believe God is a woman)

[Chorus]
'Cause you, I love it how you move me
I love it how you touch me, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs
Like heaven could be all mine, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Verse 1]
I'm not a saint, you make me holy
Take it away, and now I'm slowly
Under your clothes
Saving your soul
These fingertips, don't need permission
Say what it is, like it's religion
Don't need words now
Let your hands speak for your mouth

[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, tell me, why?
Ooh, tell me, why?
I, I testify
Keep me comin' back for more
You might also like

[Chorus]
'Cause you, I love it how you move me
I love it how you touch me, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs
Like heaven could be all mine, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Verse 2]
Boy you become, my territory
I wanna know, the deeper story
Ah-ah, ah-ah, all your demons
I-I-I-I, I wanna meet them
Who hurt you? I never deserved you
Is there an old you you're tryna return to?
Don't need words now
Let your hands speak for your mouth

[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, tell me, why? (Ooh)
Ooh, tell me, why? (Ooh)
I, I testify
Keep me comin' back for more

[Chorus]
'Cause you, I love it how you move me
I love it how you touch me, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs
Like heaven could be all mine, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Bridge]
Ay, ay, you'll believe God-
Oh yeah

[Pre-Chorus]
Ooh, tell me, why? (Ah, dime, ¿por qué?)
Ooh, tell me, why? (No, no es así)
I, I testify
Keep me comin' back for more, yeah

[Chorus]
I love it how you move me (Oh, I love it, how you move me)
I love it how you touch me, my one (Oh)
It lingers when we're done (It lingers when we're done)
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs (New highs)
Like heaven could be all mine, my one (Mine)
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman (Oh)

[Outro]
Oh, yeah
You believe god is a woman
Don't you, don't you
Don't you?

[Chorus: Camila Cabello]
You, I love it how you move me
I love it how you touch me, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs
Like heaven could be all mine, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Verse 1: Rita Ora]
I never said I was a saint, but you make me holy
Pushing me away, and now that I'm slowly
Under your clothes, saving your soul
You got me talking in my sleep, it’s driving me crazy
Lying to myself, I know he don’t love mе
But still I’m under your clothes, saving your soul

[Pre-Chorus: Rita Ora, Camila Cabello]
You say you put me on thе timeline
You say you want me and you hurt
But I don’t know why
And so you put me on the town
Keep me comin' back for more

[Chorus: Camila Cabello]
'Cause you, I love it how you move me
I love it how you touch me, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs
Like heaven could be all mine, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
You might also like

[Verse 2: Rita Ora]
Baby, you become, my territory
Now I gotta know your deeper story
Maybe I’m what you been needing
I gave you something to believe in, oh, oh, yeah

[Pre-Chorus: Rita Ora, Camila Cabello, Both]
You say you put me on the timeline
You say you want me and you hurt
But I don’t know why (Why?)
And so you put me on the town
Keep me comin' back for more

[Chorus: Camila Cabello]
'Cause you, I love it how you move me
I love it how you touch me, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs
Like heaven could be all mine, my one
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman

[Pre-Chorus: Camila Cabello]
Keep me comin' back for more, yeah
[Chorus: Camila Cabello]
I love it how you move me (Oh, I love it, how you move me)
I love it how you touch me, my one (Oh)
It lingers when we're done (It lingers when we're done)
You'll believe God is a woman
And I, you say I give you new highs (New highs)
Like heaven could be all mine, my one (Mine)
It lingers when we're done
You'll believe God is a woman (Oh)

[Outro: Camila Cabello]
Oh, yeah
You believe God is a woman
Don't you, don't you
Don't you?

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Twitter - @ArianaGrande - Grande revealing the release date for "God Is A Woman"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Billboard - Ariana Grande Pushes 'God Is A Woman' Release Date Up: 'Surprise'
  3. Instagram - Ilya about the day they wrote the song
  4. Ariana Grande Reveals Title of Fourth Album: 'Sweetener'
  5. TIME - Ariana Grande Is Ready to Be Happy
  6. Twitter - Grande about the song
  7. Twitter - Ariana about a new song releasing on July 20, 2018
  8. Drake's 'In My Feelings' Leads Billboard Hot 100 for Seventh Week, Ariana Grande's 'God Is A Woman' Hits Top 10
  9. Billboard - Ariana Grande Chart History (Streaming Songs)
  10. Drake's 'In My Feelings' Tops Billboard Hot 100 for Second Week With Record-Breaking 116.2 Million U.S. Streams
  11. Billboard - Ariana Grande Chart History (Pop Songs)
  12. Billboard - Ariana Grande Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)
  13. Ariana Grande's God Is A Woman is the UK's Number 1 trending song
  14. Drake scores his third Number 1 single of 2018 with In My Feelings
  15. Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 (Dated July 20, 2018)
  16. ARIA Australian Top 50 Singles
  17. Twitter - Pop Crave - "The Top 4 songs on US Pop Radio"
  18. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjq8x7AFQzi/
  19. https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjs-WpQFMlw/
  20. Ariana Grande Brought the Most Important Women in Her Life On-Stage for Her "God Is a Woman" Performance
  21. When Was 'Ariana Grande At The BBC' Filmed? The Show Was Taped In Advance
  22. Ariana Grande at the BBC offers fans a snapshot of a happier time – review
  23. Ariana Grande performs Sweetener songs for BBC TV special: Watch
  24. 24.0 24.1 Twitter - Savan Kotecha interview
  25. Ariana Grande Drops Epic 'God Is a Woman' Video — with Madonna as the Voice of God!
  26. George Ezra claims fourth week at Number 1, Ariana Grande is highest new entry on Official Irish Singles Chart
  27. Official Singles Chart Top 100 - July 21, 2018
  28. NZ Top 40 Singles Chart
  29. Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100
  30. Twitter - “God is a woman” was written within a day
  31. YouTube - Ariana Grande Talks Sweetener, Pete Davidson & Nicki Minaj
  32. YouTube - Ariana Grande Talks God Is A Woman

External links[]

Sweetener
August 17, 2018 • 47:25 • Republic Records
Songs
Released Better OffBlazedBorderlineBreathinEverytimeGet Well SoonGod Is A WomanGoodnight N GoNo Tears Left To CryPete DavidsonRaindrops (An Angel Cried)R.E.M.SuccessfulSweetenerThe Light Is Coming
Unreleased 1st Unknown Sweetener Outtake100Bad To YouClarityCloudsCocoonDaydream On OccasionEnd Up With YouEver BeenGot Her OwnHate That You Made Me Love YouI Don't Wanna LieI Love MeKeep It CuteLeft On ReadMan Of SteelMoreMy WayNobodyOk NowOne In A MillionOn Top Of EverythingPretty Girls Like Trap MusicRush DeliverySexShnackSoberSouth AfricaStrong EnoughTreadmillWifeeYou
Artists
Ariana GrandeAli TamposiBiaBeyoncéChaka KhanDua LipaCamila CabelloCharlie PuthImogen HeapJennifer HudsonKelly RowlandLucky DayeMissy ElliottN.E.R.D.Nicki MinajNormaniPharrell WilliamsQuavoRita OraSkeptaStarrahSZAT-PainVictoria Monét
Tour
Sweetener World TourThe Sweetener Sessions
Advertisement