Ariana Grande is a force to be reckoned with, and she’s solidifying her seat atop the throne of pop with every new release. Her fifth studio album, Thank U, Next, just dropped, as did her racy video for the song “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored.” And it’s a certified bop.
A devilishly clever Max Martin production, “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” also throws it back by sampling *NSYNC’s “It Makes Me Ill.” As the closing track to Thank U, Next, it’s the perfect send-off to a Grande pop album. After pouring her heart out and turning inward to examine her emotions over the album’s first 11 tracks, Grande switches gears, kicks it up a few notches, and goes into full-on flirtation mode. She’s ready to play, and boy does she know how.
The song’s seductive video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, really brings it to life. It begins with an unimpressed Grande drinking alone at an underground club, which is where she first lays eyes on a very handsome, dark-haired man, played by Riverdale actor Charles Melton. There’s only one problem: he’s dancing with his girlfriend (who bears a striking resemblance to Grande). Soon enough, the couple invite Grande over to dance with them, and eventually back to their house party. Straight out of the gate, a love triangle is born. But like flirting with the hot bartender right before the bar is set to close, most people would realize their time is running out. Not Grande – she feels no pressure and couldn’t give two fucks. Rolling with such a casual and cool demeanor, you know she’s soaking up every minute of the game she’s created. It’s tongue-in-cheek fun, for both Grande and us.
The track has a mid-tempo, soothing R&B beat that’s nothing but easy listening. Instrumentally, the song remains steady from start to finish and the beat stays pretty even, aside from a tiny drop in the bridge. It’s lyrically the most brazen song on the album. Imagine telling someone, “I know it ain’t right, but I don’t care,” after learning they already have a significant other? Bold! Only Grande could pull off a stunt like that. Still, “You can hit it in the morning” is my personal favorite lyric, showcasing exactly how blasé she is about the whole thing. Getting someone to break up with their girlfriend—just so they can hookup with you—is a massive request to make and no easy feat, not to mention one most would never dare venture.
The lyrics are provocative and flirtatious, yet still playful enough to have a certain innocence to them. In the video treatment for “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” Grande is equally as coy. She may be playing the role of the other woman, but you’re still rooting for her. Grande doesn’t make any grand moves on the male lead, but instead befriends his girlfriend to the point where the two begin to play with each other’s ponytails. (We all know Grande loves herself a good ponytail.) And then things start to get a little confusing.
What’s not obvious from the video is how Grande decided to end it. Instead of going in for a kiss with the mystery man she seems to be lusting after for over three minutes, she winds up turning to his girlfriend and the two are milliseconds away from locking lips before the video cuts out. It’s safe to say that much is left to the imagination, in particular whether or not Grande was after the girlfriend all along. But who’s to say? Maybe she thought they were both hot and was down to get down with either and/or both of them, because she’s, well, just so damn “bored.”
Aw, poor Ariana. There’s no reason a girl like her should be bored. The world is her oyster, as is the pop kingdom, and she’s made that perfectly clear with both “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored” and Thank U, Next. I can only imagine how she’ll top this one. Watch the video below and let me know who you think she’s really after in the comment section:
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