<p id=”par-1_40″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/ariana-grande/”>Ariana Grande</a>‘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.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-ariana-grande-said-break-free-was-important-for-so-many-people”>Ariana Grande said ‘Break Free’ was important ‘for so many people’</h2>
<p id=”par-2_69″>During a 2024 interview with <a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPAke2nPKDU” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>First We Feast</a>, the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grandes-most-popular-song-is-not-thank-u-next.html/”>“Thank U, Next” singer</a> discussed collaborating with <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/why-ariana-grande-fought-her-producer-over-the-lyrics-to-break-free.html/”>producer Max Martin</a> on “Break Free.” For context, 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.</p>
<p id=”par-3_60″>“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!”</p>
<p id=”par-4_72″>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.” For context, “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.</p>
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<iframe title=”Ariana Grande Hits a High Note While Eating Spicy Wings | Hot Ones” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/IPAke2nPKDU?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-why-ariana-grande-had-some-negative-feelings-towards-her-early-hits”>Why Ariana Grande had some negative feelings towards her early hits</h2>
<p id=”par-5_84″>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,” <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/broadways-wicked-star-doesnt-want-ariana-grande-to-play-the-witch.html/”>the <em>Wicked</em> actor</a> 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.”</p>
<p id=”par-6_24″>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.</p>
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<iframe title=”Ariana Grande – Break Free (Official Video) ft. Zedd” width=”925″ height=”520″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/L8eRzOYhLuw?feature=oembed” frameborder=”0″ allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share” referrerpolicy=”strict-origin-when-cross-origin” allowfullscreen></iframe>
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<div class=”related-article related-article–simple”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/ariana-grande-hated-her-first-single-so-much-and-shes-hiding-it.html/”>
Ariana Grande Hated Her First Single So Much She’s Hiding It </a>
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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-break-free-took-over-the-world”>‘Break Free’ took over the world</h2>
<p id=”par-7_49″>“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 <a href=”https://www.billboard.com/artist/ariana-grande/” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Billboard Hot 100</a> at a time when Grande’s music was inescapable. The track lasted on the chart for 22 weeks. </p>
<p id=”par-8_102″>Grande included “Break Free” on her album <em>My Everything</em>. That record was a milestone in Grande’s career, as it showed off more musical diversity than her R&B debut album, <em>Yours Truly</em>. 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 <em>My Everything</em> is not the most cohesive album ever, it produced an incredible run of hits.</p>
<p id=”par-9_15″>“Break Free” might have an annoying line but it found its way into our hearts.</p>