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"NASA" is the third 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 song is featured on K Bye For Now (SWT Live), which was released on December 23, 2019.

Background[]

The song was first teased in the music video of Grande's single "Breathin" from her fourth album Sweetener.[2] The song was also teased on the pink car in the "7 Rings" music video.

When Grande was asked if the song was about space, she answered "kind of".[3]

The song is essentially about wanting space from a person and trying to be stable on your own. The track features a spoken intro with the voice of American drag-queen Shangela.[4] Grande met Shangela when she texted Frankie to come to studio and Shangela was with him, so Grande played some songs from the album including "NASA":

The song ['NASA'] was amazing, and when the song ended, she was like, 'What do you think?' And I was like, 'Oh girl, I live! I love it, and it's amazing! I'm already thinking of how I'm going to perform it for my drag number, when I do my version.' And she looked at me said, 'Your version?' And I said, 'I'm just going to put a fun intro on it for drag, and I'm going to be in a spacesuit with like space-Titties and I'm going to come out in a moon man suit and I'm going to lift the mask and say, 'This is one small step for woman, one giant leap for womankind.' And she was like, 'Oh my God! I love that!'[4]

Chart performance[]

On the week ending February 23, 2019, the song debuted at number 17 on the US Billboard Hot 100.[5]

Live performances[]

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

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • Grande has stated on Twitter that she had the most fun making this song along with "7 Rings".[6]
  • Before the song was released, Victoria Monét took to Twitter and shared how she felt about the song and how the process was for her.[1]
  • Some fans believe that this song is about Pete Davidson, simply because he was wearing a NASA shirt once, however, Victoria Monét shut down the rumor, saying it was false.
  • The official NASA account tweeted : "Hey ArianaGrande, we saw 'NASA' trending this morning and thought it was about one of our new discoveries. But we realized that you might need some space. It’s like you’re the universe and we’re N-A-S-A".
  • The original intro of the song was a countdown before Shangela came into the studio with Frankie.
  • John Legend had sung a short cover of the song to his son, Miles. He also played it on the piano.
  • Sabrina Carpenter's song "Tell Em" uses the same vocal sample as "NASA" in the very beginning.

Lyrics[]

[Intro: Shangela]
This is one small step for woman
One giant leap for woman-kind

[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
I'd rather be alone tonight
You could say "I love you" through the phone tonight
Really don't wanna be in your arms tonight
I'll just use my covers to stay warm tonight
Think I'm better off here all alone tonight
Ain't no checkin' on when I get home tonight
Just makin' sure I'm good on my own tonight
Even though there isn't nothin' wrong tonight

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Yeah, I'm just sayin', baby
I can't really miss you if I'm with you
And when I miss you, it'll change the way I kiss you
Baby, you know time apart is beneficial
It's like I'm the universe and you'll be (N-A-S-A)

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Give the whole world, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need
You know I'm a star; space, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need space (N-A-S-A)
Give the whole world, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need
You know I'm a star; space, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need space (N-A-S-A)

[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
Bottom line
Usually I would love it if you stayed the night
I just think I'm on another page tonight
It ain't nothin' wrong with sayin' I need me time
Usually I would orbit around you
But gravity seems to be the only thing that's pullin' me
You'll be my rise and shine soon as them stars align, mmm

[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Baby, I can't really miss you if I'm with you
And when I miss you, it'll change the way I kiss you
Baby, you know time apart is beneficial
It's like I'm the universe and you'll be (N-A-S-A)

[Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Give the whole world, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need
You know I'm a star; space, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need space (N-A-S-A)
Give the whole world, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need
You know I'm a star; space, I'ma need space
I'ma need space, I'ma, I'ma need space (N-A-S-A)

[Bridge: Ariana Grande]
You don't wanna leave me, but I'm tryna self-discover
Keep me in your orbit and you know you'll drag me under, mmm
You don't wanna leave me, but I'm tryna self-discover, mmm yeah
(You don't wanna leave me, but I'm tryna self-discover)
Keep me in your orbit and you know you'll drag me under, oh
(Keep me in your orbit and you know you'll drag me under)

[Outro: Ariana Grande]
I'd rather be alone tonight, hey
You could say "I love you" through the phone tonight, oh yeah, mmm

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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