- Ariana Grande released "Break up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" in January, but it's recently climbed higher on the charts.
- So what is the song about? Here are the lyrics and their explanation in full.
Ever catch yourself humming the chorus to a hit song but wondering what the heck it’s about? We’re here to help.
Ariana Grande has dominated the pop charts for the past few years thanks to the release of 2018’s Sweetener and 2019’s Thank U, Next. And while each of her songs—from “God Is a Woman” and “No Tears Left to Cry” to “7 Rings” and “Thank U, Next”—come with a backstory, the lyrics of the third single off Thank, U Next, “Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” are particularly juicy.
Grande, who kicked off her Sweetener tour in March, dropped the single in January—and it’s since gotten more and more popular, becoming her 13th top 10 song on Billboard’s Radio Songs chart in April, and as of June 22, maintaining a steady top 50 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at number 37.
So what is the meaning behind the song with quite the, um, catchy title—and why are certain lyrics so key?
For that, we’ll turn to the music video, which stars Riverdale’s Charles Melton, and falls right in line with the lyrics—until the end. The song kicks off with, “You got me some type of way / Ain’t used to feelin’ this way / I do not know what to say / But I know I shouldn’t think about it.”
In the video, Grande walks into a party and immediately notices a hot guy (Melton) as she sings about how attracted she is to him—and quickly realizes he’s taken. She sings, “Then I realized she’s right there / And I’m at home like, ‘Damn, this ain’t fair.”
She then makes a declaration that clearly outlines what she wants: “Break up with your girlfriend (girlfriend) / yeah, yeah, ‘cause I’m bored / You could hit it in the morning (morning) / yeah, yeah, like it’s yours.”
Throughout the video, she follows the couple while keeping a close eye on the man.
And later, we hear a sample of N*Sync’s “Makes Me Ill” around the bridge.
The original N*Sync lyrics read:
Call me a hater, if you want to
But I only hate on him ‘cause I want you
Say I’m tripping if you feel like
But you without me ain’t right
You can say I’m crazy, if you want to
That’s true, I’m crazy ‘bout you
You could say I’m breaking’ down inside
‘Cause I can’t see you with another guy
And Grande’s are pretty similar:
You could say I’m hatin’ if you want to
But I only hate on her ‘cause I want you
Say I’m trippin’ if you feel like
But you without me ain’t right (ain’t right)
You could call me crazy ‘cause I want you
And I never even ever f*****’ met you
Say I’m trippin’ and it ain’t right
But you without me it ain’t nice (Ain’t nice, yeah)
Upon its release, fans quickly took to Twitter to speculate that the song was all about her ex Big Sean, who at the time was rumored to have broken up with Jhené Aiko. The theories were pretty substantial, but uh, things took a much different turn at the end of the video.
After following her crush and his girlfriend throughout the club, Grande ultimately ends up hooking up with his girlfriend, who just so happens to be her doppelgänger. Fans have taken this moment to interpret that the song, really, is about self-empowerment and learning to love yourself.
Originally, Grande meant to include a song called “Remember” on Thank U, Next, but replaced it with “Break up with Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored,” saying it’s simply a “fun” song.
"I added a fun one (lol) to replace one that I decided I don’t think wanna share w the world. So we back to twelve tracks. I appreciate u understanding in advance," Grande tweeted. She also explained why she said goodbye to “Remember,” which is said to be extremely personal.
"Ain’t about fear or anything like that, love," she wrote. "Honestly. I just want to feel stable and ok sharing, promoting, performing the songs for u which I wouldn’t. I decided to keep it private for many reasons. Thank u again for understanding n respecting this decision."
Read the full lyrics to "Break up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" below, and next time you sing to Grande’s hit single, prepare to give your friends the lowdown.
You got me some type of way (Hmm)
Ain't used to feelin' this way (Mmm-mmm)
I do not know what to say (Yeah, yeah)
But I know I shouldn't think about it
Took one f*****' look at your face (Hmm)
Now I wanna know how you taste (Mmm-mmm)
Usually don't give it away (Yeah, yeah)
But you know I'm out here thinkin' 'bout it
Then I realize she's right there
And I'm at home like, "Damn, this ain't fair"
Break up with your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
Yeah, yeah, 'cause I'm bored
You could hit it in the mornin' (Mornin')
Yeah, yeah, like it's yours
I know it ain't right
But I don't care (Care)
Break up with your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
Yeah, yeah, 'cause I'm bored
This shit always happen to me (Yeah)
Why can't we just play for keeps? (Mmm-mmm)
Practically on my knees (Yeah, yeah)
But I know I shouldn't think about it
You know what you're doin' to me
You're singin' my songs in the streets, yeah, yeah
Actin' all innocent, please
When I know you out here thinkin' 'bout it
Then you realize she's right there (Yeah)
And you're at home like, "Damn, she can't compare"
Break up with your girlfriend (Girlfriend)
Yeah, yeah, 'cause I'm bored
You could hit it in the mornin' (In the mornin')
Yeah, yeah, like it's yours
I know it ain't right
But I don't care (I don't care, yee)
Break up with your girlfriend (With your girlfriend)
Yeah, yeah, 'cause I'm bored
With your girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend
With your girlfriend
With your girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend
You could say I'm hatin' if you want to
But I only hate on her 'cause I want you
Say I'm trippin' if you feel like
But you without me ain't right (Ain't right)
You could call me crazy 'cause I want you
And I never even ever f****' met you
Say I'm trippin' and it ain't right
But you without me ain't nice (Ain't nice, yeah)
Break up with your girlfriend (With your girlfriend)
Yeah, yeah, 'cause I'm bored
You could hit it in the mornin' (Hit in the mornin', yeah, yeah, yeah)
Yeah, yeah, like it's yours
I know it ain't right
But I don't care (Care, yeah)
Break up with your girlfriend (With your girlfriend)
Yeah, yeah, 'cause I'm bored
With your girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend, baby, girlfriend
With your girlfriend
With your girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend, girlfriend
With your girlfriend
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