[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
[Verse 1: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
I like the way (Way) you lick the bowl (You lick the bowl, sheesh)
Somehow your method touches (Sheesh!) my soul (Sheesh, touches my soul, yeah)
It lifts me up (Up) to heights unknown (Ayy, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener)
So when they ask, "How's life?" (Sheesh!) I go (Sheesh!)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
[Verse 1: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
I like the way (Way) you lick the bowl (You lick the bowl, sheesh)
Somehow your method touches (Sheesh!) my soul (Sheesh, touches my soul, yeah)
It lifts me up (Up) to heights unknown (Ayy, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener)
So when they ask, "How's life?" (Sheesh!) I go (Sheesh!)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande, Pharrell & Both]
Your mama sent (Sent) us horoscopes (Us horoscopes, sheesh)
Had so much fun (Fun) watching them unfold (Sheesh, watching them unfold, yeah)
You said she like me, I smile (Ayy), I know (Sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener)
So when they ask, "How’s life?" (Sheesh!) I go (Sheesh!)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
[Verse 2: Ariana Grande, Pharrell & Both]
Your mama sent (Sent) us horoscopes (Us horoscopes, sheesh)
Had so much fun (Fun) watching them unfold (Sheesh, watching them unfold, yeah)
You said she like me, I smile (Ayy), I know (Sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener)
So when they ask, "How’s life?" (Sheesh!) I go (Sheesh!)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
[Bridge: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then we lay it back, talk the rest of the night
Things that we can light make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Talking 'bout what you wanna do, whether it's wrong or right
I am followin’ you 'cause you make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
(Hey) Said I don't know what I'd do without you in my life (ayy), it'd be so sour (Sweetener, ayy)
I'm hoping that everybody can experience what we have in ours (Sweetener, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Sheesh, sheesh!)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Sheesh, sheesh!)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!, c'mon)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it (Yeah)
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it (Sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweet)
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
You make me say, "Oh," babe
[Outro: Ariana Grande]
Hey, ayy, oh, yeah
And then we lay it back, talk the rest of the night
Things that we can light make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
Talking 'bout what you wanna do, whether it's wrong or right
I am followin’ you 'cause you make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
(Hey) Said I don't know what I'd do without you in my life (ayy), it'd be so sour (Sweetener, ayy)
I'm hoping that everybody can experience what we have in ours (Sweetener, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Sheesh, sheesh!)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Sheesh, sheesh!)
[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Pharrell]
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!, c'mon)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it, and mix it, and mix it, and mix it (Yeah)
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it (Sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweet)
You make me say, "Oh," (Sheesh!) "Oh" (Sheesh!)
You make me say, "Oh," babe
[Outro: Ariana Grande]
Hey, ayy, oh, yeah
About
Genius Annotation
On “Sweetener,” the titular track to Ariana Grande’s fourth-studio album, Ari talks about bad situations in life and how you can bring light and a positive vibe to “sweeten” them. The track is very reminiscent of a 90s soul hip-hop song, but with elements of modern trap.
The track was teased in her “No Tears Left To Cry” music video, and was hinted again in the “No Tears Left To Cry (BTS – Part 2)” video.
This track was recorded and written back in July of 2016.
It was the first song off the project to be completed.
Ariana had also posted an Instagram story, showing a screenshot of her listening to the track:
On July 21st, 2018, a paparazzi managed to record a snippet of the song while Ariana was listening to it in her car. She later confirmed it was indeed “Sweetener”:
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
What did Ariana Grande say about "sweetener"?
Genius Answer
This is all she’s said about the song so far:
But since the it’s the title track, we can expect it to have a similar meaning to the album title (making a bitter situation better).
Has the song received any certifications?
Genius Answer
Yes, “sweetener” was certified platinum by the RIAA on August 17, 2023.
- 2.blazed
- 4.R.E.M.
- 6.sweetener
- 7.successful
- 8.everytime
- 9.breathin
- 11.borderline
- 12.better off
- 13.goodnight n go
- 14.pete davidson
- 15.get well soon
Credits
Producer
Writers
Assistant Mixing Engineer
Additional Vocals
Digital Audio Editor
Arranger
Mixed At
Mastering Engineer
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Copyright ©
Mixing Engineer
Recording Engineer
Assistant Recording Engineer
Recorded At
Chalice Recording Studios (Hollywood CA), East West Studios (Hollywood, CA), Glenwood Place Studios (Burbank, CA), The Lunchtable (Los Angeles, CA) and Conway Recording Studios (Hollywood, CA)
Released on
August 17, 2018
Songs That Interpolate sweetener
sweetener Covers
sweetener Live Performances
sweetener Translations
Ariana Grande - sweetener (Traducción al Español) by Genius Traducciones al Español, Ariana Grande - sweetener (Traduzione Italiana) by Genius Traduzioni Italiane, Ariana Grande - sweetener (Traduction Française) by Genius traductions françaises & Ariana Grande - sweetener (Nederlandse Vertaling) by Genius Nederlandse Vertalingen
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