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The intro is slow, and then it picks up, and it's about picking things up. When I started to take care of myself more, then came balance, and freedom, and joy, it poured out into the music. We've messed with the idea of not being able to find the ground again, because I feel like I'm finally landing back on my feet now.

– Ariana Grande for Time

"No Tears Left to Cry" (stylized in all lowercase; also abbreviated as "NTLTC") is the lead single and tenth track from Ariana Grande's fourth studio album, Sweetener.[1][2] It was released through Republic Records on April 20, 2018. A live version of the song is featured on K Bye For Now (SWT Live), which was released on December 23, 2019. It was also performed on Jimmy Fallon's show.

Background[]

On April 9, 2018, it was reported that Grande was set to release a lead single from her upcoming fourth studio album Sweetener on April 27, 2018.[3] This song also had marked Ariana’s return back to music after a year hiatus from performing in 2017 Manchester bombing attack that occurred during her Dangerous Woman Tour concert on May 2017.

One week later on April 16, 2018, it was reported that she may move up the lead single’s release date to April 20, 2018, due to labelmate Post Malone's album being released on April 27, 2018.[4]

The next day on April 17, 2018, Grande announced that the lead single was titled "no tears left to cry" and would be officially released on April 20, 2018.[1]

The next following day on April 18, 2018, Grande slowly shared the cover on Instagram by posting different sections each time, also posting a 30-second snippet of the song. Grande hosted a listening party in London earlier in the week.[5]

On July 15, 2023, the full original sessions leaked. There’s 2 bounced files in the original sessions, the mumble demo and a demo. The mumble demo has a slightly different instrumental during the second chorus, and has some different lyrics. The demo has a few different adlibs and some lyric changes. Some lyric changes she made in the demo version:

  • "Lovin', I'm livin', so we turnin' up" to "Lovin', I'm livin', so fill up my cup"
  • "Yeah, we turning it up" to "Yeah, so fill up my cup"
  • "Ain't got no tears in my body" to "Ain't got no fear in my body"
  • "I ran out, but boy, I like it, I like it, I like it" to "I leveled up and I like it, I like it, I like it”

Audios[]

Critical reception[]

Laura Snapes of The Guardian called the song an "instant earworm", and praised Ariana for tackling "the single alone rather than with a guest, as she often does". Snapes also complimented on the inclusion of "some satisfyingly specific lyrical barbs" aimed at the haters.[6] Andrew Unterberger from Billboard stated 'no tears left to cry' as "a grower, not to be fully appreciated on first listen".[7] Chris Willman of Variety described the song as "the breeziest, most danceable kind of post-traumatic recovery anthem with dark undertones".[8] Writing for MTV News, Charlie Holmes regarded the song as "the anthem we needed", and believed that it "[spoke] to her experience, healing her hurt, while simultaneously doing the same for the world".[9] Daniel Welsh of HuffPost called the song "[e]xciting, emotional and unlike anything she's done before", and he liked the message of it, describing it as being "about picking yourself up, leaving the darkness behind and dancing into the light".[10] Ryan Reed of Rolling Stone wrote that "Grande celebrates rising above the world's negativity" with "positive vibes on [the] upbeat new song".[11] The Guardian listed "No Tears Left to Cry" as the 3rd best song of 2018, along with Grande's "Thank U, Next" as the 6th.[12] Billboard's "100 Best Songs of 2018" list placed "No Tears Left to Cry" at #14.[13]

Cover art[]

The cover was revealed on April 18, 2018.[14][15]

For the cover art, Grande looks to the right as a rainbow rests across her eyes. Rainbows are a natural phenomenon that appear after rain, as the sun refracts through the water droplets. Symbolically, a rainbow tends to represent the idea of hope and optimism. The image illustrates the idea that Ariana's teardrops have faded, resulting in the rainbow, and she is ready to move on.

The song title, "No Tears Left to Cry" is turned upside down, and Ariana's name is not found anywhere on the cover, being her first main single cover art without her name featured on it.

Live performances[]

Grande performed the song for the first time on April 20, 2018, at Coachella, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival during Kygo's set.[16] On May 1, 2018, Grande gave her first televised performance of the song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.[17] It was also performed at YouTube Brandcast 2018 on May 3, 2018.[18] On May 14, 2018, Grande performed the song on Nintendo Lab instruments with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots. Later, on May 20, 2018, Grande opened the 2018 Billboard Music Awards with a performance of "No Tears Left to Cry".[19] She also performed it at Wango Tango.

On July 11, 2018, Grande performed the single at Amazon Prime Day of that same year.[20] "No Tears Left to Cry" was then performed on all four stops during The Sweetener Sessions[21], among other songs from Sweetener.Sweetener (album) She also performed it on the one-hour special, Ariana Grande at the BBC, recorded on September 7, 2018 and aired on November 1.[22][23][24] Grande also performed the single on 6 September, 2018, on the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.[25]

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

Music video[]

ArianaGrande-NoTearsLeftToCry MusicVideo (23)

Grande in the "No Tears Left To Cry" music video

On April 19, 2018, Grande posted a preview of the music video and revealed that it would be released alongside the single on April 20.[26].

The music video was directed by Dave Meyers, who directed the music video for Beauty and the Beast. He has directed videos for other artists, including Katy Perry, Camila Cabello and Kendrick Lamar. He posted a picture with the caption "ʎɹɔ oʇ ʇɟǝl sɹɐǝʇ ou" to Instagram on April 17, 2018.[27] Shanté Honeycutt of Billboard called it "a beautiful, mind-bending video" and quoted Meyers as follows: "The concept we wanted to explore was the disorientation that you go through in life and the quest we all go through to kind of find the ground again." The PAPER magazine named the video as the best music video of 2018: "The Dave Meyers-directed film sent her message wailing from the tops of skyscrapers and tumbling through a rotating castle. The video's dark, dreamscape set and incredible hook make it one of the year's favorites and just the start of an album rollout with one epic video after the other."[28]

NtltcTRACKLIST

The hidden track list in the No Tears Left To cry music video

A track list can be seen in the video, with 11 bullet points. [29] A scrapped song You, is crossed off between breathin and borderline. Breathin was later released without the g that was included in the title of the video. God Is A Woman is underlined multiple times, which was another single released from Sweetener after No Tears Left to Cry.

Behind the scenes[]

Three behind-the-scenes videos were released on April 23, April 27 and May 25, 2018, respectively.[30][31]

Vertical video[]

On May 4, 2018, a vertical video of "No Tears Left to Cry" was released exclusively for Spotify Premium subscribers.[32] The video shows Grande singing upside down.[33]

Trivia[]

  • The song's title could be a reference to "No More Tears (Left To Cry)" by Lesley Gore.
  • At the end of the video, a bee is seen flying away, a reference to the Manchester Arena bombing.
  • It impacted hot adult contemporary radio on April 23, 2018, and contemporary hit and contemporary rhythmic radio on April 24.[34]
  • This song has over 1 billion views on Youtube and over 1 billion streams in Spotify.
  • The music video reached over 16 million views in its first 24 hours of its release, breaking Grande's previous record of 7 million with "Focus".
  • The song has reached number three on the US Billboard Hot 100[35] and number two on the UK Singles Chart, as well as reaching number one on iTunes in 92 countries, including in the United States, surpassing Grande's previous record of 79 countries with "Problem".[36] However, it was later surpassed by "7 Rings", which reached number one in 93 countries.[37]
  • The music video was choreographed by Brian and Scott Nicholson.[38]
  • The song was certified platinum in the US on July 3, 2018.
  • It is featured as the fourth track on the album NOW That's What I Call Music! 100 which was released on July 20, 2018.
  • American singer and Grande's good friend, Miley Cyrus, made a cover of the song in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.[39]
  • The song is featured in Just Dance 2019.[40]
  • Included in the Japanese special edition of Sweetener is an official instrumental for "No Tears Left To Cry."
  • No Tears Left To Cry has sold over 4.5 million units in the US.
  • No Tears Left To Cry has over 1 billion streams on Spotify.
  • In an Q&A video from R.E.M Beauty, Ariana confirmed this is one of her favorite songs from Sweetener.
  • With the music video of No Tears Left To Cry came out the letters with the title of the song and the name of the artist of the song (Ariana Grande). We can see it in the music video of Positions.
  • The video is her fifth most viewed on YouTube.
  • It sold 74,290 units in the untied kingdom in the first week
  • As of 2021, it is her second most sucsessful single in the UK.

Merchandise[]

Physical Releases[]

Videos[]

Gallery[]

Lyrics[]

[Intro]
Right now, I'm in a state of mind
I wanna be in like all the time
Ain't got no tears left to cry
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up
I'm lovin', I'm livin' (Oh, hey), I'm pickin' it up
I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)

[Refrain]
I'm pickin' it up (Yeah), pickin' it up (Yeah)
Lovin', I'm livin', so we turnin' up (We turnin' it up)
Yeah, we turnin' it up

[Verse 1]
Ain't got no tears in my body
I ran out, but boy, I like it, I like it, I like it
Don't matter how, what, where, who tries it
We out here vibin', we vibin', we vibin'

[Pre-Chorus]
Comin' out, even when it's rainin' down
Can't stop now, can't stop so shut your mouth
Shut your mouth, and if you don't know
Then now you know it, babe
Know it, babe, yeah

[Chorus]
Right now, I'm in a state of mind
I wanna be in like all the time
Ain't got no tears left to cry
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up
Oh, I just want you to come with me (Ooh)
We on another mentality
Ain't got no tears left to cry (To cry)
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up (Oh)

[Refrain]
Pickin' it up (Yeah), pickin' it up (Yeah)
Lovin', I'm livin', so we turnin' up (We turnin' it up)
Yeah, we turnin' it up

[Verse 2]
They point out the colors in you, I see 'em too
And, boy, I like 'em, I like 'em, I like 'em
We way too fly to partake in all this hate
We out here vibin', we vibin', we vibin'

[Pre-Chorus]
Comin' out, even when it's rainin' down
Can't stop now, can't stop, so shut your mouth
Shut your mouth, and if you don't know
Then now you know it, babe
Know it, babe, yeah

[Chorus]
Right now, I'm in a state of mind
I wanna be in like all the time
Ain't got no tears left to cry
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up
Oh, I just want you to come with me (Ooh)
We on another mentality
Ain't got no tears left to cry (To cry)
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up

[Bridge]
Comin' out, even when it's rainin' down
Can't stop now (Hmm, oh)
Shut your mouth
Ain't got no tears left to cry
Oh-yeah, oh, yeah

[Chorus]
Oh, I just want you to come with me (Me)
We on another mentality
Ain't got no tears left to cry (Cry)
So I'm pickin' it up (Yeah), pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up (Pickin' it up)

[Refrain]
Pickin' it up (Hmm), pickin' it up (Hmm)
Lovin', I'm livin', so we turnin' up (Hmm)
Yeah, we turnin' it up

[Intro]
Right now, I'm in a state of mind
I wanna be in like all the time
Ain't got no tears left to cry
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up
I'm lovin', I'm livin' (Oh, hey), I'm pickin' it up
I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)

[Refrain]
I'm pickin' it up (Yeah), pickin' it up (Yeah)
Lovin', I'm livin', so fill up my cup (So fill up my cup)
Yeah, so fill up my cup

[Verse 1]
Ain't got no fear in my body
I leveled up and I like it, I like it, I like it
Don't matter how, what, where, who tries it
We out here vibin', we vibin', we vibin'

[Pre-Chorus]
Comin' out, even when it's rainin' down
Can't stop now, can't stop so shut your mouth
Shut your mouth, and if you don't know
Then now you know it, babe
Know it, babe, yeah
You might also like

[Chorus]
Right now, I'm in a state of mind
I wanna be in like all the time
Ain't got no tears left to cry
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up
Oh, I just want you to come with me (Ooh)
We on another mentality
Ain't got no tears left to cry (To cry)
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up (Oh)

[Refrain]
Pickin' it up (Yeah), pickin' it up (Yeah)
Lovin', I'm livin', so fill up my cup (So fill up my cup)
Yeah, so fill up my cup

[Verse 2]
They point out the colors in you, I see 'em too
And, boy, I like 'em, I like 'em, I like 'em
We way too fly to partake in all this hate
We out here vibin', we vibin', we vibin'

[Pre-Chorus]
Comin' out, even when it's rainin' down
Can't stop now, can't stop, so shut your mouth
Shut your mouth, and if you don't know
Then now you know it, babe
Know it, babe, yeah

[Chorus]
Right now, I'm in a state of mind
I wanna be in like all the time
Ain't got no tears left to cry
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up
Oh, I just want you to come with me (Ooh)
We on another mentality
Ain't got no tears left to cry (To cry)
So I'm pickin' it up, pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up

[Bridge]
Comin' out
Can't stop now
Shut your mouth
Oh-yeah

[Chorus]
Oh, I just want you to come with me (Me)
We on another mentality
Ain't got no tears left to cry (Cry)
So I'm pickin' it up (Yeah), pickin' it up (Oh, yeah)
I'm lovin', I'm livin', I'm pickin' it up (Pickin' it up)

[Refrain]
Pickin' it up, pickin' it up
Lovin', I'm livin', so fill up my cup
Yeah, so fill up my cup

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Billboard - Ariana Grande Announces New Song 'No Tears Left To Cry' Out Fridayhttps://x.com/popcrave/status/986385175012630528?s=46&t=RW5UwdbXHT2rMhaFgT3LTA
  2. Twitter - @ArianaTodayNet - "Emails being sent out from Ariana's mailing list to fans around the world! A new era has arrived! #NoTearsLeftToCry"
  3. Variety - Ariana Grande to Drop First Single From New Album on April 27https://x.com/arianatoday/status/983715069036023809?s=46&t=RW5UwdbXHT2rMhaFgT3LTA
  4. Headline Planet - Ariana Grande's New Single May Actually Arrive On April 20
  5. Ariana Grande's New Single Reportedly Has ‘Powerful' Effect on Listening Party Attendees
  6. Ariana Grande: No Tears Left to Cry review – instant earworm dances against the odds
  7. 'No Tears Left to Cry': This Is the Part When Ariana Grande Is Broken, But Free
  8. 'No Tears Left to Cry': This Is the Part When Ariana Grande Is Broken, But Free
  9. Ariana Grande's 'No Tears Left To Cry' Is The Anthem We Needed
  10. Ariana Grande's 'No Tears Left To Cry' Is An Unapologetically Joyful Message Of Hope - HuffPost Verdict
  11. Hear Ariana Grande's Uplifting New Song 'No Tears Left to Cry'
  12. The Guardian - The top 100 songs of 2018
  13. Billboard's 100 Best Songs of 2018: Critics' Picks
  14. Ariana Grande Unveils Stunning ‘No Tears Left to Cry' Cover
  15. Twitter - @ArianaGrande - Ariana revealing full artwork
  16. Ariana Grande Just Made a Surprise Appearance at Coachella and Everyone Lost Their Sh*t
  17. Ariana Grande announces new album, Sweetener, sings Drake and Kendrick on Fallon
  18. Just Jared - Ariana Grande & Camila Cabello Perform YouTube Brandcast 2018 Presentation
  19. Billboard - Ariana Grande to Open the 2018 Billboard Music Awards
  20. Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry (Live at Prime Day) - ArianaGrandeFan on YouTube
  21. "no tears left to cry" Live from CAPITAL-FM for the Sweetener Sessions
  22. When Was 'Ariana Grande At The BBC' Filmed? The Show Was Taped In Advance
  23. Ariana Grande at the BBC offers fans a snapshot of a happier time – review
  24. Ariana Grande performs Sweetener songs for BBC TV special: Watch
  25. "Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry in the Live Lounge" - BBCRadio1VEVO
  26. Instagram - Ariana Grande confirms music video
  27. Instagram - Dave Mayer - "ʎɹɔ oʇ ʇɟǝl sɹɐǝʇ ou"
  28. PAPER's Top 20 Music Videos of 2018
  29. [1]
  30. Watch Ariana Grande Do Her Own Stunts In ‘No Tears' Behind-The-Scenes Video
  31. Go Inside Ariana Grande's ‘Traumatizing' Mask-Making Process For ‘No Tears' Video
  32. Ariana Grande - "No Tears Left To Cry" - (Spotify video)
  33. Ariana Grande Unveils New Vertical Video For 'No Tears Left to Cry' & Rainbow Mural in Los Angeles
  34. Ariana Grande Announces New Song 'No Tears Left to Cry' Out Friday
  35. Drake Leads Billboard Hot 100, Ariana Grande Arrives at No. 3 & J. Cole Collects Record Three Debuts in Top 10
  36. Twitter- @ArianaTodayNet - #NoTearsLeftToCry hit #1 on iTunes in 80 COUNTRIES during its first 24 hours! @ArianaGrande's personal record ✨ Get the song: http://apple.co/2F2nsVQ
  37. Twitter - 7 Rings is now Ariana Grande's song with the most #1 on iTunes with 93 countries!
  38. Instagram - Ariana Grande - #NoTearsLeftToCry choreographed by my brilliant brothers @brilovelife @iamskot 💧☔️
  39. Watch Miley Cyrus Cover Ariana Grande's "No Tears Left to Cry"
  40. Just Dance 2019: No Tears Left To Cry by Ariana Grande Official Track Gameplay [US]
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
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