Skip to main content

Ariana Grande‘s “Break Free” is a beloved pop single. For that reason, it might surprise Grande’s fans that one line of “Break Free” was supposed to be annoying. Here’s a look at what Grande thinks of the song in retrospect.

Ariana Grande said ‘Break Free’ was important ‘for so many people’

During a 2024 interview with First We Feast, the “Thank U, Next” singer discussed collaborating with producer Max Martin on “Break Free.” Martin was behind huge hits like Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “I Kissed a Girl,” and Taylor Swift’s “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” While Martin has been described as a pop genius, Grande took issue with one of his demands.

“I was a lot younger, and I did not want to do the intonation on ‘Say I don’t want ya,’ and he was like, ‘No, it really needs to be like pingy, like annoying,'” Grande recalled. “It has to be like, ‘Say I don’t want ya.’ And I was like ‘Fine’ … and that’s what made it to the record!”

In retrospect, Grande seems to be proud of “Break Free.” “I’m so grateful for it because it made it so much better,” she said. “I love that song, I love what that song has done for so many people.”

“Break Free” has become a feminist anthem as well as a popular song in the LGBTQ community. The tune’s empowering lyrics are part of why Grande is considered an LGBTQ icon.

Why Ariana Grande had some negative feelings toward her early hits

While Grande likes “Break Free” now, she once had a contentious relationship with her early hits. “There was a time when it was hard for me to feel that same gratitude that I do now for certain songs and for the music because I think some of it was like a stressful time,” the Wicked actor said. “I think becoming a pop star is insane at 19 or 20 and I think that experience was married to some of the songs a little bit.”

Grande has rid herself of these negative associations. She revealed that therapy and the passage of time healed her. Now, she loves her old hits.

Related

Ariana Grande Hated Her First Single So Much She’s Hiding It

‘Break Free’ took over the world

“Break Free” was a big hit. Pop fans just can’t resist a good breakup song that doubles as a female empowerment anthem. It peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 at a time when Grande’s music was inescapable. The track lasted on the chart for 22 weeks. 

Grande included “Break Free” on her album My Everything. That record was a milestone in Grande’s career, as it showed off more musical diversity than her R&B debut album, Yours Truly. My Everything peaked at No. 1 for a week, lasting on the chart for 89 weeks in total. My Everything produced four other singles: “Problem,” “Bang Bang,” “Love Me Harder,” and “One Last Time.” Each of those singles reached the top 20. Few artists will ever be as famous as Grande was in 2014. While My Everything is not the most cohesive album ever, it produced an incredible run of hits.

“Break Free” might have an annoying line but it found its way into our hearts.

Best in Entertainment