Months after facing backlash over her relationship with Ethan Slater, Ariana broke the internet with the release of her new single.
Ariana Grande began 2024 with a statement: “Yes, And?” The singer-songwriter’s latest single from her upcoming album features lyrics that call out harsh critics and online bullies — whom she faced after her romance with Ethan Slater came to light in mid-2023. Now that the song and its accompanying music video are out, the pop star is sharing her perspective.
What Is the Meaning of the ‘Yes, And?’ Lyrics?
The Madonna-esque song begins with a hint at “healing” from “somebody” or “something” that she didn’t “see just right,” which some assumed was about the breakdown of her marriage to ex-husband Dalton Gomez. Ariana and Dalton quietly separated in early 2023 and finalized their divorce that October.
“In case you haven’t noticed / Well, everybody’s tired / and healing from somebody / or something we don’t see just right,” Ari sings in the first verse. In the second verse, she adds, “Now I’m so done with caring what you think. No I won’t hide underneath your own projections or change my most / authentic life.”
As she progresses toward the chorus of the track, the Victorious alum sings, “Boy, come on put your lipstick on (No one can tell you nothing) / Come on and walk this way through the fire (Don’t care what’s on their mind) / And if you find yourself in a dark situation, just turn on your light and be like.”
the fact that ariana grande is consistently getting majority of the heat from ethan slater leaving his wife shows me that misogyny is alive and well lmfao
— abbie (@_abbiehowe) January 12, 2024
Fans believe the “fire” that she talks about walking through symbolizes the social media storm against her by the end of 2023, with thousands of commenters bullying her over her relationship with Ethan.
“Yes, and? / Say that s**t with your chest,” she sings in the full chorus. “And be your own f**kin’ best / Friends say that s**t with your chest / Keep moving like ‘What’s next? / Yes, and?”
Before she closes out the full song, Ariana adds in a lower-voiced portion, “My face is sitting, I don’t need no disguise / Don’t comment on my body, do not reply / Your business is yours and mine is mine / Why do you care so much whose ! [d**k] I ride.”
Since she directly addresses personal relationships in the “d**k I ride” lyric, Ariana’s fans believe this was her way of slamming haters for assuming her relationship with Ethan was controversial.
ARIANA GRANDE IS SO BACK
— AARON (@lidolmix) January 12, 2024
Who Is ‘Yes, And? About?
The lyrics to “Yes, And?” don’t focus on one particular person other than Ariana addressing the public. However, fans are speculating who she is talking to when she sings, “Boy, put your lipstick on.”
Overall, the true meaning of the entire song is self-empowerment and confidence. Ariana encourages her fans — and herself — to be their “own f**kin’ best” and ignore hateful criticism.
Inside the ‘Yes, And?’ Music Video
The beginning of the music video directed by London Alley’s Christian Breslauer shows “critics” walking into an office building to view Ariana’s new art. Several gossip about her on their way to the exhibit, as one duo discusses an online rumor about the “Positions” singer.
“Oh my god, did she really do that?” one person asks their colleague, who responds, “Well, I read it on the internet, so it must be true.”
The critics then walk into a room with multiple sculptures, which eventually break into countless pieces as Ariana and her dance team take the floor. As she sings the first two verses, viewers see the critics sitting under what appears to be a heated ceiling fixture that causes them to sweat and start loosening their buttons and ties. Ari then approaches them before the critics eventually join her and the dancers on stage.
The critics leave the room happier than when they walked in while passing by another group of people, who appear inquisitive and judgmental in their facial expressions.
