| “ | Everybody has trouble with confidence these days. All these young girls hate themselves, and these women have horrible relationships with men. And men too! We all go through it. ‘Problem’ is such an IDGAF song that makes everybody feel great. | ” |
–Ariana Grande on "Problem" | ||
"Problem" is the lead single and second track from Ariana Grande's sophomore studio album, My Everything. It was released through Republic Records on April 28, 2014. The song features artist Iggy Azalea.[2] Big Sean whispers during the chorus but is not a credited featured artist.[3] Two remixes of the song were released on July 1, 2014, and a remix of the song with J Balvin was released a month later on August 1, 2014. A "bundle" release of the song including a capella and instrumental variants was released on August 27, 2024, in celebration of 10 years of My Everything.
Background[]
In late 2013, Grande began working on My Everything. It was announced on March 3, 2014, that Grande would be featured on the fifth single from Chris Brown's sixth studio album X titled "Don't Be Gone Too Long". The single was originally set for release on March 25, 2014, however, it was postponed due to Brown being sent to jail awaiting trial on assault charges. The delay was announced on March 17, 2014, and two days later Grande revealed that she would be releasing the first single from her upcoming sophomore studio album instead. Ultimately, "Don't Be Gone Too Long" was never released, despite being fully finished and having a music video.
After recording multiple songs for the album, Grande stated that she had chosen the first single from her album.[4] On April 15, 2014, it was officially announced that "Problem" would be the title of the lead single from the album.[5] Initially while recording songs for the album, Grande "fell out of love" with the song and didn't want it to appear on her upcoming album. However, following an album listening session with her management and record label, Grande decided to keep "Problem" for the album.
On June 22, 2024 scrapped remixes were leaked along with other songs.
Audios[]
- Scrapped Rap Remix featuring Kid Ink - (
listen) - X2 Dave Audý TWERK Remixes:
Promotion and release[]
The two different cover art images that Ariana asked her fans to choose from.
Grande first released promotional images from the single's photo shoot all throughout March 2014. On April 10, 2014, Grande asked her fans to choose between two new possible images to be used for the single's artwork release.[6] After the votes were tallied, she revealed the winning cover artwork through her Instagram account the next day with the hashtag #10daystilproblem and revealed that Iggy Azalea would be assisting her on the track.[7] Grande began an online countdown to the song's release by every day posting promotional posters for the song made by Jones Crow. All of the hashtags for the countdown to the song (#11DaysUntilProblem, #10DaysUntilProblem, etc.) trended on Twitter.[8][9] Grande released two teasers for the song; one features her singing the pre-chorus and the other features Iggy rapping her verse. The single was made available for pre-order on April 21, 2014. Following her debut performance of "Problem" at the Radio Disney Music Awards, the song was released at midnight on iTunes on April 28, 2014. Three hours after its release "Problem" shot to number one on the iTunes singles charts in over 30 countries.
Three remixes of the song were released on July 1, 2014, and a remix with J Balvin was released on August 1, 2014.
Music video[]
The official music video for "Problem" was filmed on the day after its release on April 29, 2014, with Nev Todorovic as the director, who has previously worked with Grande on her videos for "Right There" and "Almost Is Never Enough". On May 8, 2014, Grande previewed photos from the songs video shoot, which features Grande riding a motorcycle while Azalea rocks big blonde hair. The theme carries on the black, white and retro theme from that of the lyric video, and includes a cameo appearance by Big Sean, who also is in the song whispering part of the chorus. The official music video was released on May 30, 2014. The video shows Grande dancing with her backup dancers, interlacing with her hanging out with Azalea and Big Sean.
Lyric video[]
Ariana Grande - Problem (Lyric Video) ft. Iggy Azalea
Grande filmed the lyric video for the song on April 10, 2014.[10] Grande edited the video with Jones Crow, the video's director, and finished it on April 13, 2014.[11] The video was released onto Grande's Vevo channel on May 1. The video features Grande and Azalea performing in noir black-and-white clip behind pinwheel go-go filters. As of December 2018, the lyric video has over 94 million views on YouTube.
Critical reception[]
Upon release, "Problem" received critical acclaim. Mike Wass of Idolator described the song as "an odd blend of '90s pop and current urban trends (the trap-lite breakdown and a sax hook a la Jason Derulo's "Talk Dirty") but there's no denying that it's catchy." Entertainment Weekly called the song a "dramatic reinvention," and also notes, "The idea that Grande was collaborating with bad girl du jour Iggy Azalea prompted all kinds of speculation, and the result is more or less what everybody expected: Grande's enviable pipes are still the centerpiece, but she also invites a sax-drunk loop, sexy whisper tracks, and Azalea's Jay Z-referencing high-speed verse to the party as well." Music Times commented that "the saxophone-filled track continues the pattern set by Grande's 2013 debut album Yours Truly by being heavily influenced by the '90s R&B scene. This time, 'Problem' pulls from the funky, funky streets with a jazz-influenced riff. An overwhelming (but welcome) dose of saxophone leads the song before the more modern drum-filled beat drops." Pitchfork named it "Best New Track" saying the track "bears all the hallmarks of a future smash as if the future wasn't actually right now."
Commercial performance[]
Ariana holding the certification for "Problem" going platinum
Upon its release, the song reached the number one position on the US iTunes Store song chart in 37 minutes, breaking the previous record, which reached number one within 50 minutes. In the United States, "Problem" debuted at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, eventually peaking at #2 and sold 438,000 copies in its first week. This was the fourth largest first-week sales for a female in history and the tenth largest overall. The song has also sold over a million copies and has earned platinum certification.
"Problem" debuted at #3 and later peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, with combined sales and track-equivalent streams of 9 million units. (See Chart Performances)
Merchandise[]
Physical Releases[]
Promotional posters[]
Live performances[]
- On April 26, 2014, Grande performed "Problem" at the 2014 Radio Disney Music Awards, in Los Angeles.
- On May 1, 2014, Grande performed "The Way" and "Problem" at the 2014 iHeart Radio Music Awards, in Los Angeles.
- On May 18, 2014, Grande performed "Problem" with Iggy Azalea at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards, in Las Vegas.
- On June 15, 2014, Grande performed "Problem at the 2014 MuchMusic Video Awards, in Toronto.
- On July 2, 2014, Grande performed an acoustic version of "Problem" on Total Ariana Live!, in New York.
- On October 19, 2014, Grande performed "Problem", "Bang Bang" and "Break Free" at the 2014 BBC's Radio 1 Teen Awards, in London.
- On October 24, 2014, Grande performed "The Way", "Break Your Heart Right Back", "You'll Never Know", "Right There", "My Everything", "Break Free", "Bang Bang" and "Problem" at We Can Survive 2014, in Hollywood.
- On November 9, 2014, Grande performed "Problem" and "Break Free" at the 2014 MTV European Music Awards, in Glasgow.
- On November 13, 2014, Grande performed "Break Free" and "Problem" at the 2014 Bambi Awards, in Berlin.
- On November 23, 2014, Grande performed "Problem", "Break Free" and "Love Me Harder" at the 2014 American Music Awards, in Los Angeles.
- On December 2, 2014, Grande performed "Love Me Harder", "Bang Bang", "Break Free" and "Problem" at the 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, in London.
- On December 31, 2014, Grande performed "Bang Bang", "Hands On Me", "Best Mistake", "Break Your Heart Right Back", "Be My Baby", "Right There", "The Way", "Tattooed Heart", "One Last Time", "My Everything", "Love Me Harder", "Break Free", "Problem" and "Focus" at the New Year's Eve Special Concert, in Las Vegas.
- On The Honeymoon Tour, "Problem" is featured in the encore on the setlist.
- On The Dangerous Woman Tour, a remix of Problem is featured on Set 3 of the setlist.
“did i dream the whole thing?” To view the Problem Live Performances gallery, click here.
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Gallery[]
“did i dream the whole thing?” To view the Problem gallery, click here.
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Videos[]
Trivia[]
- The song is about knowing you would be better off without someone but you can't resist them and want them no matter what.[12]
- This is the second song that Big Sean provided vocals for, with the first being "Right There", however, he wasn't credited unlike in "Right There".
- In the "Problem" single cover, Ariana is actually wearing heels with socks. In the music video, Grande wore boots.
- Pentatonix covered this song for their 2014 album PTX.
- The official music video hit a billion views on May 26, 2017, being Grande's first music video to hit a billion views.
- At the beginning of the song, it was thought that Grande instead of laughing, said "I'm Back", but according to her it sounded dark, so she laughed and that laughter was recorded and used in the final version of the song.[13]
- "Problem" is featured on Just Dance 2015. In the video game, Big Sean is credited.
- The Kidz Bop Kids recorded a cover along with "Break Free" for their album, Kidz Bop 27.[14]
- Supposedly, Ariana asked Nicki Minaj to be on "Problem" first. She then wanted Nicki Minaj to be on the remix alongside Iggy Azalea. Instead Ariana asked J Balvin.
- Iggy Azalea has said that she was nervous when recording the song as she looks up to Max Martin as a songwriter, and got to meet him for the first time when creating the song. He loved her part and kept it the way that she first created it.[15]
- Azalea also said that they had been trying to make a song together for some time before "Problem" came up, but when she heard it she instantly knew that it was going to be the one.[15]
Lyrics[]
[Intro: Iggy Azalea & Ariana Grande]
Uh-huh! It's Iggy Iggs!
I got one more problem with you girl, hey!
(One less, one less problem)
[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
Hey baby, even though I hate ya
I wanna love ya, I want you
And even though I can't forgive ya
I really want ta, I want you
Tell me, tell me, baby
Why can't you leave me?
Cause even though I shouldn't want it
I gotta have it, I want you
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders
I should be wiser, and realize that I've got
[Chorus: Big Sean & Ariana Grande]
One less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya
(I got one less, one less problem)
One less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya
(I got one less, one less problem)
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
I know you're never gonna wake up
I gotta give up, but it's you
I know I shouldn't ever call back
Or let you come back, but it's you
Every time you touch me
And say you love me
I get a little bit breathless
I shouldn't want it, but it's you
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders
I should be wiser, and realize that I've got
[Chorus: Big Sean & Ariana Grande]
One less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya
(I got one less, one less problem)
One less problem without ya
I got one less problem without ya (ooh babe!)
I got one less problem without ya (ooh whoa)
(I got one less, one less problem)
[Verse 3: Iggy Azalea]
It's Iggy Iggs! Uh, what you got?
Smart money bettin' I'll be better off without you
In no time I'll be forgettin' all about you
You sayin' that you know, but I really, really doubt
You understand my life is easy when I ain't around you
Iggy Iggy, too biggie to be here stressin'
I'm thinkin' I love the thought of you more than I love your presence
And the best thing now is probably for you to exit
I let you go, let you back, I finally learned my lesson
No half-steppin', either you want it or you just playin'
I'm listenin' to you knowin' I can't believe what you're sayin'
There's a million you's baby boo, so don't be dumb
I got 99 problems but you won't be one
Like what
[Bridge: Ariana Grande]
One less, one less problem
One less, one less problem
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders
I should be wiser, and realize that I've got
[Chorus: Big Sean & Ariana Grande]
One less problem without ya (babe)
I got one less problem without ya (oh babe!)
I got one less problem without ya (ooh!)
I got one less, one less problem (ooh baby)
One less problem without ya (yeah I got)
I got one less problem without ya (woo!)
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less, one less problem, boy
One less problem without ya (hey)
I got one less problem without ya (without you)
I got one less problem without ya (I got one less, one less, yeah)
I got one less, one less problem
[Intro: Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea & J Balvin]
(Mm-hm-mm) Uh-huh (Woo)
(Ha-ha-ha, ha) It's Iggy, Iggz (Oh)
Soy J Balvin, man (Uh-huh)
One less, one less problem
[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]
Hey, baby, even though I hate ya
I wanna love ya (I want yo-o-ou)
And even though I can't forgive ya
I really want to (I want yo-o-ou)
Tell me, tell me, baby
Why can't you leave me?
'Cause even though I shouldn't want it
I gotta have it (I want yo-o-ou)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Head in the clouds
Got no weight on my shoulders
I should be wiser and realize that I've got
[Chorus: Big Sean, J Balvin & Ariana Grande]
One less problem without ya
Ahora estoy mejor sin ti, sí
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less, one less problem
One less problem without ya
(The Business) Ahora estoy mejor sin ti, sí
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less, one less problem
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]
I know you're never gonna wake up
I gotta give up
(But it's you)
I know I shouldn't ever call back or let you come back
(But it's you)
Every time you touch me and say you love me
I get a little bit breathless, I shouldn't want it
(But it's you)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders
I should be wiser, and realize that I've got
[Chorus: Big Sean, J Balvin & Ariana Grande]
One less problem without ya
Ahora estoy mejor sin ti, sí
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less, one less problem
One less problem without ya
Ahora estoy mejor sin ti, sí (Ooh, babe)
I got one less problem without ya (Ooh, ooh, woah)
I got one less, one less problem
[Interlude: J Balvin & Iggy Azalea]
Okay
It's Iggy Iggz
La familia (Uh)
Leggo
[Verse 3: J Balvin & Iggy Azalea]
Já, soy J Balvin, man (Uh-huh)
Sí, sí, el periódico de ayer
¡El que desechaste, eh!
Y ahora vienes a rogarme, ¿qué?
Iggy, Iggy, too biggie to be here stressin'
I'm thinkin' I love the thought of you more than I love your presence
And the best thing now is probably for you to exit
I let you go, let you back, I finally learned my lesson
¿Recuerdas cómo de mí tú te reías?
Ahora me buscas en la calle todo el día
¿Recuerdas cómo a mí me maldecías?
Y ahora viajo en jet privado con la' mías
[Bridge: Ariana Grande]
Mm, nah (One less, one less problem)
Mm, yeah (One less, one less problem)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]
Head in the clouds
Got no weight on my shoulders (One less, one less problem)
I should be wiser and realize that I've got (One less, one less problem)
[Chorus: Big Sean, Ariana Grande, J Balvin & Iggy Azalea]
One less problem without ya (Babe)
Ahora estoy mejor sin ti, sí (Oh-ooh, babe)
I got one less problem without ya (Ooh)
I got one less, one less problem (Ooh, baby)
One less problem without ya (Yeah, latinos, Yeah, I got)
I got one less problem without ya (It's me, J Balvin, The Business, Woo, hey!)
I got one less problem without ya
I got one less, one less problem, babe (Woo)
One less problem without ya (Uh, hey)
I got one less problem without ya (Without you)
I got one less problem without ya (I got one less, one less, yeah)
I got one less, one less problem (Oh, yeah)
[Outro: J Balvin]
The Business, la familia, leggo
Track Listing[]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) | 3:13 |
| Total length: | 3:13 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) (Darwin Remix) | 3:25 |
| 2. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) (Noodles & Devastator Remix) | 3:12 |
| 3. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) (Kassiano Remix) | 4:21 |
| Total length: | 10:58 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea & J Balvin) (Remix) | 3:13 |
| Total length: | 3:13 | |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) | 3:13 |
| 2. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) (A Capella) | 3:11 |
| 3. | "Problem" (featuring Iggy Azalea) (Instrumental) | 3:13 |
| Total length: | 9:38 | |
References[]
- ↑ Twitter - @ag7source: "ariana grande has been a writer since day one."
- ↑ Iggy's tweet about being on the track
- ↑ Ariana Grande Finally Drops Official 'Problem' Music Video
- ↑ Ariana's tweet about picking the first single
- ↑ Confirming the name
- ↑ About choosing the cover art
- ↑ Cover art for 10 Day Countdown and actual cover for Problem
- ↑ #10DaysUntilProblem trending
- ↑ About the countdowns trending
- ↑ Status about shooting the lyric video
- ↑ Ariana's status about finishing the song
- ↑ What Problem is about
- ↑ http://www.rollingstone.com.ar/1735669-ariana-grande-no-estaria-mal-conquistar-el-mundo
- ↑ Genius - Kidz Bop 27
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Twitter - @agsspotify: "Iggy Azalea shares her experience writing the iconic Problem verse with Ariana"
[]
| My Everything | |
|---|---|
| August 22, 2014 • 40:31 • Republic Records | |
| Songs | |
| Released | Bang Bang • Be My Baby • Best Mistake • Break Free • Break Your Heart Right Back • Cadillac Song • Hands On Me • Intro • Just A Little Bit Of Your Heart • Love Me Harder • My Everything • One Last Time • Only 1 • Problem • Too Close • Why Try • You Don't Know Me |
| Unreleased | 1st Unknown My Everything Outtake • Ain't About What You Got • In The Morning • Lighter • Not Afraid of Love • Nothing Lasts Forever • Ridiculous • The Way It Is • You Got It |
| Artists | |
| Ariana Grande • A$AP Ferg • Big Sean • Cashmere Cat • Childish Gambino • Iggy Azalea • Jessie J • Miley Cyrus • Nicki Minaj • The Weeknd • Tori Kelly • Zedd | |
| Tour | |
| The Honeymoon Tour | |