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"In My Head" (stylized in all lowercase) is the ninth track from Ariana Grande's fifth studio album, Thank U, Next.[1] It was released on February 8, 2019, through Republic Records. A live version of the interlude using the famous song is featured on K Bye For Now (SWT Live), which was released on December 23, 2019.

Background[]

On “in my head,” Ariana talks about how she fell in love with a version of someone she created in her head, to later find out that, in reality, that is not at all how that person is.

Grande confirmed the song via Twitter on December 13, 2018.[2]

When Grande was asked what this song was about on January 23, 2019, she answered it's about "being in love w[ith] a version of somebody you've created in your head. Falling for someone that they are not."[3]

The song features a voicemail of one Grande's closest friends, Doug Middlebrook, which was found after the song had been produced. Grande said she used this because "Doug was such an incredible friend to [her] in that time". Originally Grande wanted a quote from The Shining in which Jack Nicholson says "You seem to have things strangely confused in your mind",[4] but she couldn't due to legal reasons and the demo also included a longer outro.

The full sessions was leaked on October 13, 2021, along with "Fake Smile" and "Imagine" sessions.

Audios[]

  • Reference Mix Demo - (Unreleased Icon listen)

Chart performance[]

On the week ending February 23, 2019, the song got debuted at number 38 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5]

Music video[]

There are two music videos for In My Head - the first being a Vogue music video of the song that was attached to Vogue's August 2019 publication. The video premiered on Vogue's YouTube channel on July 9, 2019.[6] It was directed by Bardia Zeinali.[7] In the music video, Zeinali "captures the creative claustrophobia of being Ariana Grande."[8]

The other music video has played every night at the Sweetener World Tour as an interlude between set 3 and 4. It has yet to be officially released.

Videos[]

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • This is one of Nonna Grande's favorite tracks from Thank U, Next, along with "Imagine" and "7 Rings".[9]
  • On November 14, 2019, Grande posted an a cappella outtake from the Vogue music video, reading: "@voguemagazine ‘in my head’ outtake courtesy of @bardiazeinali 🤍💿". [10]
  • This song is rumored to be about Grande's ex-fiancé, Pete Davidson.
  • The line "Caught in the moment, tangled up in your sheets" could be a reference to "In The Moment".

Lyrics[]

[Intro: Doug Middlebrook]
Here's the thing: you're in love with a version of a person that you've created in your head, that you are trying to but cannot fix. Uh, the only person you can fix is yourself. I love you, this has gone on way too long. Enough is enough. I'm two blocks away, I'm coming over.​

[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
Painted a picture, I thought I knew you well
I got a habit of seeing what isn't there
Caught in the moment, tangled up in your sheets
When you broke my heart, I said you only wanted half of me

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
My imagination's too creative
They see demon, I see angel, angel (Angel), angel
Without the halo, wingless angel

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Falling, falling, but I never thought you'd leave me
Falling, falling, needed something to believe in, oh
I thought you were the one
But it was all in my head (head)
It was all in my head (head) (Skrrt, skrrt)

[Post-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Yeah, look at you (You), boy, I invented you
Your Gucci tennis shoes, runnin' from your issues
Cardio good for the heart (For the heart)
I figure we could work it out, mmm

[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
Painted a picture, I thought I drew you well
I had a vision, seeing what isn't there
Caught in the moment, tangled up in your sheets
When you broke my heart, said you only wanted half of me

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
My imagination's too creative
They see Cain and I see Abel (Abel), Abel (Abel), Abel
I know you're able, willin' and able

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Falling, falling, but I thought that you would need me
Falling, falling, needed something to believe in, oh
Mmm, I thought that you were the one
But it was all in my head (head)
It was all in my head (head) (Skrrt, skrrt)

[Post-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Yeah, look at you (You), boy, I invented you
Your Gucci tennis shoes, runnin' from your issues
Cardio good for the heart (For the heart)
I figure we could work it out, mmm

[Bridge: Ariana Grande]
Wanted you to grow, but, boy, you wasn't budding
Everything you are made you everything you aren't
I saw your potential without seeing credentials
Maybe that's the issue (Yeah)
Said maybe that's the issue (Ah)
Can’t hold that shit against you (Yeah)
Guess I did it to myself, yeah
Thought you were somebody else, you

[Outro]
Thought you were somebody else, you (You)
Thought you were somebody else, you

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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