Thank U, Next

Ariana Grande released "Thank U, Next" as a surprise single on November 3, 2018, just months after the death of her ex-boyfriend Mac Miller and the end of her engagement to Pete Davidson. Instead of dwelling on grief or anger, she crafted a track that thanked past partners for specific lessons learned. The lyrics list Mac Miller, Pete Davidson, Ricky Alvarez, and Big Sean in rapid succession, transforming what could have been a bitter breakup anthem into a celebration of personal growth.

The production blends a conversational, spoken-word style in the verses with a breezy, synth-pop chorus. Tommy Brown, Michael Foster, and Charles Anderson handled the production duties while Grande co-wrote the track alongside Victoria Monét and Tayla Parx. This approach gave the song an intimate, diary-like feel that resonated immediately with listeners. Commercially, it became Grande's first number-one single on the US Billboard Hot 100, where it stayed for seven consecutive weeks. The Recording Industry Association of America later certified the song 8x Platinum.

The accompanying music video premiered on November 30, 2018, directed by Hannah Lux Davis. It pays homage to four iconic early-2000s films: Mean Girls, Bring It On, Legally Blonde, and 13 Going on 30. Grande meticulously recreates scenes from these movies, featuring cameos from Kris Jenner, Troye Sivan, and former Victorious co-stars. The video set a record for the biggest debut for any music video on YouTube at the time, garnering over 55 million views in its first 24 hours. As of late 2026, the official video has surpassed 883 million views. [edit]