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This article is about the released song. For its unreleased second part, see Knew Better Part Two.

"Knew Better / Forever Boy" (commonly abbreviated as "KBFB" and originally titled "Nobody Like Me") is a song recorded by Ariana Grande for her third studio album, Dangerous Woman. It was released through Republic Records on May 20, 2016. Unlike any other song Grande has released before, "Knew Better / Forever Boy" contains two songs packaged into one: "Knew Better", a reflection of Grande's feelings after breaking up with her ex, and "Forever Boy", a love letter to Grande's then-current partner. A small interlude is woven between the tracks, acting as a smooth transition between two parts of Grande's love life, further highlighting the stark lyrical contrast of the two songs.

Background[]

Sometime in late-2016, Grande posted an old version of Dangerous Woman's track list onto her Snapchat[2]. Very minor differences are present in this early version, though most notably "Knew Better" and "Forever Boy" were listed as separate songs (as tracks 13 and 15, respectively). On this early track list, "Knew Better" was also titled "Ain't Nobody Like Me" (another working title, "Nobody Like Me", was registered on ASCAP).[3]

When the tracklist was revealed, many fans thought that "Knew Better / Forever Boy" was one song with two titles, opting for a slash instead of parenthesis. Though on May 8, 2016, Tommy Brown confirmed that it is one track containing two songs. Allegedly, Grande had to cut down the album's track listing per her label's requests. Having trouble deciding whether to cut "Knew Better" or "Forever Boy", she chose to combine the two.

The two songs have a stark contrast with one another, with "Knew Better" tackling themes of Grande's self worth in response to her ex's (Big Sean) behavior, while the in "Forever Boy" portion, Grande reflects on past relationships and shows infatuation towards her then-current partner (Ricky Alvarez)[4]

Due to popular demand by fans, an extended version of "Knew Better" was uploaded to Grande's Soundcloud account. Ironically, "Knew Better Part Two" is directed towards the same ex "Forever Boy" was written about.

On June 23, 2023, the first snippet of the demo for "Forever Boy" leaked alongside the first known snippets of "Ok Now" and "Strong Enough". The full sessions for "Forever Boy" eventually leaked on January 22, 2024, alongside a mass-leak of many other unreleased songs, sessions, and demos.

Audios[]

  • "Forever Boy"
  • "Knew Better"
  • "Knew Better Part Two"

Trivia[]

  • This is Grande's first song in which two songs are combined into one track.
    • She would later revisit the idea of combining two songs into one on "Love Language."
  • With a duration of 4 minutes, 59 seconds, it is the longest track on Dangerous Woman.
  • Grande stated on Twitter that she prefers "Knew Better" over "Forever Boy".

Gallery[]

Lyrics[]

Part I: Knew Better

[Verse]
Say you could turn me on
Boy, but that's about it
You could say what you wanna
But I wouldn't believe it
You could write all them songs
That's the game that you play
Tryna right all them wrongs
But you can't make me stay

[Pre-Chorus]
Cause I, see right through you, boy
And I (I), ain't feeling you no more
(I ain't feeling you no more, ain't feeling you no more)

[Chorus]
If you knew better
Boy, you would do better
Can't nobody love you like I do
Baby, I could do better
Boy, if you knew better
You would do better
Baby, if you love me like I love you
Maybe we could be together

[Post-Chorus]
Cause ain't nobody like me (Ain't nobody like me)
Ain't nobody like me (Ain't nobody like me)
Ain't nobody like me
Ain't nobody like me, ayy
Ain't nobody like me
Ain't nobody like me
Ain't nobody like me
Ain't nobody like me, baby

Part II: Forever Boy

[Intro]
Mmm, ah, ah

[Verse 1]
Never been with a boy more than six months
I couldn't do it, got too used to it, ah
Ain't nobody ever kept my attention
They couldn't do it, yeah, boy, they blew it

[Refrain]
But you showed me what it means to be happy ever after
In love forever
And you gave me the key to all your love and all your pleasure
Boy, you're my treasure

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, be forever mine, you and I
Oh, be forever mine, boy, all the time

[Chorus]
You're my forever boy
You're my forever boy
You're my forever boy
You're my forever boy

[Verse 2]
Been friends for a minute
So you know just what I like
You know my mind, ah
Even seen boys come and go
So you know what makes me cry
See, you're the one that treat me right, mmm

[Refrain]
But you showed me what it means to be happy ever after
In love forever
And you gave me the key to all your love and all your pleasure
Boy, you're my treasure

[Pre-Chorus]
Oh, be forever mine, you and I
Oh, be forever mine, boy, all the time

[Breakdown]
Oh, be forever mine, time
Oh, be forever mine, time

[Chorus]
You're my forever boy
You're my forever boy
You're my forever boy
You're my forever boy

References[]

Dangerous Woman
May 20, 2016 • 39:31 • Republic Records
Songs
Released Bad DecisionsBe AlrightDangerous WomanEverydayFocusGreedyI Don't CareInto YouJason's Song (Gave It Away)Knew Better / Forever BoyLeave Me LonelyLet Me Love YouMoonlightSide To SideSometimesStep On UpThinking Bout YouTouch It
Unreleased 1st Unknown Dangerous Woman OuttakeAll ThatAriana BeatBaby LovesControlGot Her OwnHiHourglassHow You FeelKnew Better Part TwoLeave Me Lonely (Reprise)MonsterOh, YeahOn & OnXanadu
Artists
Ariana GrandeFutureJamie FoxxLil WayneMacy GrayNicki MinajQuavoTakeoffTayla ParxVictoria Monét
Tour
Dangerous Woman Tour
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