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"Successful" (stylized in all lowercase) is the seventh track from Ariana Grande's fourth studio album, Sweetener. It was released through Republic Records on August 17, 2018. A live version of the song is featured on K Bye For Now (SWT Live), which was released on December 23, 2019.

Background[]

Grande confirmed the song and its position in the Sweetener track listing on June 2, 2018, on Twitter.[1] On June 7, 2018, Grande confirmed on Twitter that the song is about "girls feeling good about their own individual success / celebrating each other / flexing [...]".[2] On June 23, 2018, Grande posted lyrics of the song on her Twitter account.[3]

Live performances[]

Grande debuted "Successful" live on August 20, 2018 at The Sweetener Sessions, and was a regular part of the setlist of Grande's Sweetener World Tour, which began on March 18, 2019.

Videos[]

Trivia[]

  • This is one of five songs featuring backing vocals by Pharrell Williams, the others being "Blazed", "R.E.M", "Sweetener", and "Get Well Soon", but he isn't credited.
  • "Successful" is an uplifting anthem that features Ariana sharing her joy of making it in the music industry, while also telling others that they too can make it.[4]
  • The track was teased in her "No Tears Left To Cry" music video. [5]
  • The song was performed as a medley on the Sweetener World Tour with the album's title track, Sweetener.
  • Despite not containing any profanity, This song is still marked as Explicit on streaming services.

Lyrics[]

[Intro]
Yeah, yee
Mmmm, oh, yeah
Yeah
Ooh, ooh (Yeah), yee (Yeah)

[Verse 1]
I just got some real good news from work, boy (It's a surprise, surprise)
You can't imagine what I'm bout to say (It's a surprise, surprise)
It's so hard to hold back, baby (It's a surprise, surprise)
I'm so excited, I can hardly wait (It's a surprise, surprise)
(Listen, bae)

[Pre-Chorus]
Tonight, I'm a baller, babe (Tonight, I'm a baller, baby)
Even way beneath in, oh, woah (Even way beneath y'all)
What else is there to say, boy? (What else is there to say, boy?)
Say, bae, you should play with me, babe (Say, bae, you should come with me, babe)

[Chorus]
Yeah, it feels so good to be so young
And have this fun and be successful, yee
I'm so successful, yeah
And, girl, you too, you are so young
And beautiful and so successful (Oh, woah, babe, yeah)
Yeah, I'm so successful, yee

[Verse 2]
This ain't nothin' ordinary for me (It's a surprise, surprise)
We ain't goin' to your favorite place (It's a surprise, surprise) (Yeah, yeah)
You keep asking, "What is so special?" (It's a surprise, surprise)
You really wanna know? You'll have to wait (It's a surprise, surprise)

[Pre-Chorus]
Tonight, I'm a baller, babe (Tonight, I'm a baller, baby)
Even way beneath in, oh, woah (Even way beneath y'all)
What else is there to say, boy? (What else is there to say, boy?)
Say, bae, you should play with me, babe (Say, bae, you should come with me, babe), yee

[Chorus]
It feels so good to be so young
And have this fun and be successful (I, I, I) (Mmm-mmm)
I'm so successful
And, girl, you too, you are so young (Mmm)
And beautiful and so successful (Woah, babe, yeah)
Yeah, I'm so successful, yeah (Yeah, yeah)

[Bridge]
Let me put my hands over your eyes (Your eyes, mmm, yeah, mmm, yeah)
(It's a surprise, surprise, it's a surprise, surprise)
Boy, are you ready (Ready) for your surprise (Oh, woai)?
(It's a surprise, surprise, it's a surprise, surprise)
Mmm ah, oh, I'ma give it to ya (Mmmm)
Mmm ah, oh, I'ma give it to ya (Oh, yeah)
Do you like it, babe? (Do you like it, babe?')
Does it give you chills? (Does it give you chills?)
Does it make you feel… (Does it make you feel cold?) (Cold?)
(Yeah)

[Pre-Chorus]
(Oh, oh, oh, woah)
Tonight, I'm a baller, babe, mmm, boy (Tonight, I'm a baller, baby)
Even way beneath in, oh, woah (Even way beneath y'all)
What else is there to say, boy? Oh, woah (What else is there to say, boy?)
Say, bae, you should play with me, babe (Say, bae, you should come with me, babe)

[Chorus]
Yeah, it feels so good to be so young
And have this fun and be successful
I'm so successful (Yeah)
And, girl, you too, you are so young (So young)
And beautiful and so successful (So successful)
(Yeah), I'm so successful (Yeah, yeah)

[Outro]
Mmm
N-n-n-n-na
Mmmm
Oh, yeah
Mmm, oh, yeah

References[]

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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