Rating: 7.5/10
With her sophomore album, My Everything, Ariana Grande decided to take a full step into the pop star world, while still staying true to her R&B ballad roots. The resulting record is kind of a jumbled mess, but not inherently bad. This album is filled with many standout songs, but it’s biggest flaw is undoubtedly the lack of cohesiveness and terrible tracklisting order. Nonetheless, we’ll get into that later. I do think Ariana made an improvement upon Yours Truly when it came to the overall quality of songs, so I’ve given this album a rating that’s half a point higher.
Okay, without any further ado, let’s begin the ranking of Ariana Grande’s second studio album, My Everything. I’ll be ranking all the songs from my least favorite to favorite. I hope you enjoy what I have to say, now let’s get into the ranking!
15. Hands On Me (Track 11)
Why Ariana? Just why? This song is so shallow and juvenile. It’s like it’s trying to be so adult and mature, but really it just comes across as a flimsy attempt. And you know how I said that the tracklist order for this album is awful? YEAH. This song is RIGHT AFTER ‘Just a Little Bit of Your Heart’ and the transition is so jarring. The opening seconds of the track kinda make me want to die. Okay, I realize I’m being really harsh. I just don’t like this song if you can’t tell. The part where she’s saying “eyes on me, dance on me tonight” sounds kinda nice, but that’s the only good part of this song in my opinion. Ariana, I’m so sorry.
14. Bang Bang (Track 13)
I guess this song is fun enough and it’s very nostalgic and all, but it’s really not that great of a song in retrospect. It was fun back in 2014, but I’d say it’s time to leave this one behind. I honestly don’t know what we all saw in it.
13. Break Your Heart Right Back (Track 8)
I like the funky guitar track that runs through this song and I like how it samples ‘I’m Coming Out’ by Diana Ross. Oh and the story of the song is kinda cool too I guess. But other than that there’s nothing much in this track that I enjoy. I used to think that I liked it, but as I’ve relistened I’ve realized that it’s really just not my vibe.
12. Only 1 (Track 14)
Not a bad song really. It’s a glitzy, R&B track and it has a unique sound compared to the rest of the album, but it’s just not my thing. It’s kinda bland to me, and I wanted to like it because I know some people who absolutely adore it, but I always wanna skip it when it comes on. Sorry.
11. Why Try (Track 4)
I was reading Billboard’s review of this album (https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/pop/6229287/ariana-grande-my-everything-album-review/) and they said that ‘Why Try’ is to Ariana Grande what ‘Halo’ is to Beyonce, and even though ‘Halo’ is a MUCH better song, I kind of agree with that statement.
Anyway, that’s pretty off-topic. This song has a nice opening instrumental, and Ariana gets to really show off her belting abilities in the chorus which is cool, but other than that it’s an extremely bland song. I’m pretty sure Ariana herself has called this song boring, and I have to say, I’m with her on that one.
10. Best Mistake (Track 6)
This is a very broody duet between Ariana and Big Sean, and though they have great musical chemistry, this song doesn’t quite hit the mark for me. I don’t dislike it though. It’s the kind of song where most times I’ll skip it, but every now and then I’ll be in the mood for it and I’ll leave it on and jam. Big Sean’s verse doesn’t really do anything for me but it’s not bad, and the song would probably feel flat without him on it, so I’m glad he’s featured. And the piano instrumental is nice and adds to the tension of the lyrics. So to summarize, this song is mostly a no but sometimes a yes.
9. Be My Baby (Track 7)
This song was a grower, but I actually like it pretty well now. Sure, the lyrics are nothing even remotely intriguing, but it has a nice rhythm in the chorus that makes you want to sway your hips around on a dance floor. Overall, nothing too special, but fairly enjoyable.
8. You Don’t Know Me (Track 15)
Finally, we can start getting into my favorites from the album! I wasn’t expecting to like this song much because I’m pretty sure I’ve seen a lot of people hate on it, but I can’t help it. It’s just an empowering, fun tune. I assume it’s about Ariana shedding her “perfect Nickelodeon star” image because the lyrical theme here is about choosing to be the real you instead of playing a part to fit people’s far-too-high expectations of you. The instrumental is really fun, if a little chaotic and jumbled, and Ariana gives a sincere vocal performance that shows that she means what she’s singing. Also, the bridge is wonderful and I love it. “And all I can be is in love with who I’m becoming.”
7. Break Free (Track 5)
Sure, this EDM-influenced track feels very dated, but I could never deny that it’s a solid bop. I don’t love the chorus, but everything else in the song is really good. Ariana’s vocals in the pre-chorus are honestly amazing, and the way she inflects the melody sounds so good, I’m kinda obsessed with it. The best part of this song is definitely the bridge though. The way it breaks down the instrumental and switches it up, and the way the melody shifts accordingly just sounds so good. Honestly, this song is a lot better than 2014-me gave it credit for.
6. My Everything (Track 12)
“I know you’re not far, but I still can’t handle all the distance. You’re traveling with my heart, I hope this is a temporary feeling. ‘Cause it’s too much to bear without you, and I know ‘sorry’ ain’t the cure. If I cross your mind, just know I’m yours, ’cause what we got is worth fighting for.” This is a lovely ballad and a lovely closer for the standard edition of the album. Lyrically, it’s very sad but very real. This song basically deals with the whole concept of “you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone” (which is also a lyric in the song, haha) and Ariana gives a very emotive and genuine vocal performance. Also, this song sounds very similar to the album’s intro, which is cool because it makes the album feel like it came full circle. Basically, it’s a sad but beautiful song, and though it’s not the best ballad on the album, it’s definitely far superior to so many other songs in the tracklist.
5. Intro (Track 1)
“I’ll give you all I have, and nothing less, I promise. Love me and don’t look back, I want you with me on this road to the sky. We’ll be shining every night, I promise you. Just me and you, oh I promise you.” This song is so short, but so so pretty. I literally love it so much. Ariana’s opening, harmonized, layered humming is gorgeous, and the main vocals have such a dreamy and sparkly tone to them. The lyrics are super cute as well, and the glockenspiel at the end is such a nice touch. I want to put this higher, but unfortunately I feel obligated not to because this song is barely over a minute. But whatever. Just know that it’s stunning.
4. Problem (Track 2)
I actually like ‘Intro’ a little more than this song, but because this is a full-length song I will put it one spot higher. Still, I don’t want to send the wrong message. I really, really like this song. It’s such a great pop tune, and the melody is so infectious. The horn-hook is really fun and adds a really wonderful flair to the track. Plus, the overall attitude of the song feels so empowering. And not only is this song super good on it’s own, it’s also super nostalgic! I mean, this song was everywhere back in 2014, and even though it’s been years, I still have every word memorized. Overall, this song is just a blast, and undoubtedly one of the catchiest, most enjoyable songs on the album.
3. Love Me Harder (Track 9)
Okay, if ‘Problem’ is one of Ariana’s best pop songs, this is DEFINITELY one of her best. It’s been said many times before, but this song is just an absolute banger, and pure pop-perfection. If I had made this review a few months ago I would probably have this in the top spot, but unfortunately I think I may have overplayed it a little so it’s lost some of it’s luster for me, but that does not change the fact that Ariana absolutely struck gold with this track. The way she opens the song is so captivating, and the chorus is impeccable. She bursts through with soaring vocals, backed up by thumping, glitzy, slick production, and complete with an irresistibly dazzling melody. This chorus is just unmatched, I tell you. The Weeknd also sounds great on this song (I adore his voice) and the two of them add such nice dimension to the tune. Basically, this song is an absolute goldmine of a pop song and it deserves endless respect.
2. Just a Little Bit of Your Heart (Track 10)
“I know I’m not your only, but at least I’m one. I heard a little love is better than none.” Okay, I just have to say it, the fact that Harry Styles wrote this song just makes me love it more, and it gives me an emotional connection to the song that I probably wouldn’t have had otherwise. Still, that’s not to say that Harry writing it is the only reason I love this song, ’cause it’s not. Ariana sounds stunning here, and she always does well with ballads, but this one feels special. The piano and the echoey vocals is a great combination, and the melody is gorgeous. But really, it’s the lyrics that hit the hardest. Not to get too personal, but I’ve been in situations where the feelings I felt were very similar to the feelings in this song. I mean, we all have, right? The lyrics are simple but heartwrenching, and very real and honest. This is a wonderful song, and probably Ariana’s top 2 ballads.
1. One Last Time (Track 3)
“And I know, and I know, and I know, she gives you everything, but boy, I couldn’t give it to you. And I know, and I know, and I know that you got everything, but I got nothing here without you.” From the opening notes alone, this song gets me emotional. I remember hearing this a lot on the radio a few years back, and I guess it just never really stuck with me because I was too young to understand the depth of the lyrics. ‘Cause I mean, musically it’s excellent and all, but the lyrics elevate it into incredible. I originally had ‘Just a Little Bit of Your Heart’ in the top spot and this in the second, but I’ve decided to switch it at the last second because this song hits me just a tad bit harder. Ariana’s vocals are so expressive, and she conveys the message of the song beautifully – you can tell it means a lot to her. The production is also wonderful, capturing the internal sadness and remorse but slight bit of hopefulness that the song is based around. The melody is also very grand and captivating, and Ariana carries it beautifully. This is really just a very emotionally-affecting song and definitely one of Ariana’s all-time best. “So one last time, I need to be the one who takes you home. One more time, I promise after that, I’ll let you go. Baby, I don’t care if you got her in your heart, all I really care is you wake up in my arms. One last time, I need to be the one who takes you home.”
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