Ariana Grande has undeniably established herself as one of the most influential pop artists of her generation, delivering countless chart-topping hits that showcase her incredible vocal range and artistic evolution. From her early days as a Nickelodeon star to becoming a global music icon, Grande’s discography represents a masterful blend of pop, R&B, and contemporary sounds that have captivated millions worldwide. This comprehensive ranking explores her finest musical moments, including tracks from her latest releases that continue to dominate the songs charts in 2025.
20. “Saturn Returns Interlude”
Although technically the only song here where Ariana doesn’t actually appear, “Saturn Returns” is still a welcome 40-second introduction to her introspective journey on Eternal Sunshine. This ethereal interlude features astrologer Diana Garland explaining the significance of the 29-year Saturn return phenomenon, setting the stage for the album’s therapeutic themes. The spacey synths and ambient production create an otherworldly atmosphere that perfectly bridges Grande’s personal growth narrative. While brief, this track demonstrates Grande’s willingness to experiment with unconventional album structures and deeper conceptual elements.
19. “ghostin”
One of Grande’s most emotionally vulnerable tracks, “ghostin” addresses the complex feelings surrounding her relationship with Pete Davidson while grieving Mac Miller. The haunting production features delicate piano melodies and subtle strings that complement Grande’s raw, whispered vocals throughout the verses. Her ability to convey such profound pain and guilt through restrained delivery showcases her artistic maturity and emotional intelligence. This track represents a pivotal moment in her discography where she chose transparency over commercial appeal, creating something genuinely cathartic for both artist and listener.
18. “Into You”
“Into You” stands as one of Grande’s most perfectly crafted pop anthems, featuring an irresistible hook that builds from sultry verses to an explosive chorus. The track’s production expertly balances electronic elements with organic instrumentation, creating a sonic landscape that feels both futuristic and timeless. Grande’s vocal performance here is particularly noteworthy, as she effortlessly transitions between breathy seduction in the verses and powerful belting in the chorus. The song’s success proved Grande’s ability to create sophisticated pop music that works both on mainstream radio and in more discerning musical circles.
17. “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)”
From her latest “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead” release, this track exemplifies Grande’s continued evolution as a songwriter and vocalist. The song explores the painful reality of maintaining boundaries with someone you still care for, delivered through Grande’s signature vocal runs and emotional delivery. Its dreamy production incorporates elements reminiscent of early 2000s pop while maintaining a distinctly modern edge that feels fresh in 2025. The track’s success demonstrates Grande’s ability to continue creating relevant, impactful music that resonates with both longtime fans and new listeners discovering her artistry.
16. “positions”
The title track from her sixth studio album showcases Grande’s playful side while maintaining sophisticated production values and memorable hooks. Her vocals dance effortlessly over the smooth, R&B-influenced beat, creating an intimate atmosphere that invites listeners into her personal space. The song’s clever wordplay and confident delivery highlight Grande’s growth as both a performer and a woman comfortable with her own desires and ambitions. This track perfectly encapsulates the album’s overall theme of flexibility and adaptation in relationships, both romantic and professional.
15. “Love Me Harder” (with The Weeknd)
‘Love Me Harder’ provides the optimum backdrop for them to do that collaboration magic, creating one of the most compelling duets in recent pop history. The track’s dark, pulsating production perfectly complements both artists’ vocal styles, creating a tension that builds throughout the song’s duration. Grande’s ability to match The Weeknd’s mysterious energy while maintaining her own distinct vocal identity demonstrates her versatility as a collaborator. The song’s success opened doors for Grande to work with more alternative and R&B-focused artists, expanding her musical palette significantly.
14. “Break Free” (with Zedd)
This EDM-pop crossover hit marked a significant moment in Grande’s career, proving her ability to adapt her vocals to different genres while maintaining her essential sound. Zedd’s production provides a perfect electronic backdrop for Grande’s soaring vocals, particularly in the anthemic chorus that became an instant crowd-pleaser. The song’s message of liberation and self-empowerment resonated strongly with audiences, becoming a staple at both pop radio and electronic music festivals. This collaboration demonstrated how Grande could successfully venture into different musical territories without losing her core identity as an artist.
13. “dangerous woman”
The title track from her third studio album represents a pivotal moment where Grande fully embraced her mature artistic vision and sophisticated sound. The song’s jazz-influenced production, complete with live strings and subtle percussion, creates an elegant backdrop for Grande’s most controlled and nuanced vocal performance. Her delivery throughout the track is masterful, building tension through whispered verses before exploding into the powerful, declarative chorus. This song marked Grande’s transition from teen pop star to serious adult artist, setting the stage for all her subsequent musical explorations.
12. “Side To Side” (with Nicki Minaj)
This infectious collaboration showcases Grande’s ability to create pop music with an edge, featuring production that balances reggae influences with contemporary pop sensibilities. Nicki Minaj’s guest verse adds an additional layer of attitude and playfulness that perfectly complements Grande’s own confident delivery throughout the track. The song’s clever innuendos and catchy hook made it an instant radio favorite while demonstrating Grande’s comfort with more provocative lyrical content. The track’s success reinforced Grande’s position among pop’s elite performers and her skill at creating memorable musical partnerships.
11. “break up with your girlfriend, i’m bored”
One of Grande’s most audacious and confident tracks, this song features bold lyrics delivered over a minimalist, hypnotic production that keeps focus on her vocal performance. The track’s controversial subject matter sparked countless conversations while showcasing Grande’s willingness to explore morally complex themes in her music. Her vocal delivery throughout is particularly striking, alternating between casual indifference and seductive confidence that perfectly matches the song’s provocative message. This track demonstrated Grande’s evolution into an artist unafraid to court controversy while maintaining her musical sophistication.
10. “One Last Time”
This emotional powerhouse showcases Grande’s ability to convey deep vulnerability while maintaining the infectious energy that defines her best work. The song’s production builds masterfully from intimate verses to a soaring, gospel-influenced chorus that highlights Grande’s incredible vocal range and control. Her performance throughout the track is emotionally devastating, particularly in how she navigates the song’s themes of regret, longing, and hope for reconciliation. The track’s success proved that Grande could create deeply personal music that still resonated with mainstream audiences, establishing her as more than just another pop star.
9. “Problem” (featuring Iggy Azalea)
This breakthrough hit perfectly encapsulates what makes Grande special as a pop artist, featuring her signature whistle tones over a saxophone-heavy production that feels both retro and contemporary. The collaboration with Iggy Azalea adds an extra layer of attitude and energy that elevated the track to massive commercial success worldwide. Grande’s vocal performance throughout is playful yet powerful, demonstrating her ability to make complex vocal gymnastics sound effortless and natural. This song marked Grande’s arrival as a major force in pop music, establishing many of the sonic and stylistic elements that would define her subsequent work.
8. “breathin”
Born from Grande’s personal struggles with anxiety, “breathin” transforms trauma into something beautiful and universally relatable through her incredible vocal performance. The track’s production is intentionally spacious, allowing Grande’s voice to carry the emotional weight while creating an atmosphere that mirrors the breathing techniques the song advocates. Her delivery throughout is both fragile and strong, perfectly capturing the experience of fighting through panic attacks and mental health challenges. This song represents some of Grande’s most important work, using her platform to address mental health while creating genuinely therapeutic music for listeners facing similar struggles.
7. “God Is a Woman”
Current Top 3: God Is a Woman, No Tears Left to Cry, 7 Rings according to fan rankings, and this track certainly deserves its position among Grande’s greatest achievements. The song’s bold spiritual metaphors and confident female empowerment message are delivered through one of Grande’s most controlled and powerful vocal performances. The production perfectly balances gospel influences with contemporary pop elements, creating a sonic backdrop that feels both reverent and rebellious. This track showcased Grande’s willingness to tackle complex themes while maintaining the accessibility that makes her music so universally appealing.
6. “No Tears Left to Cry”
Grande’s triumphant return following the Manchester Arena tragedy, this song represents resilience and healing through its uplifting production and hopeful message. The track’s innovative vocal arrangements showcase Grande’s technical abilities while serving the song’s emotional purpose, creating something that feels both personal and universal. Her performance throughout captures the complex emotions of moving forward after trauma, balancing vulnerability with strength in a way that few artists can achieve. This song proved that Grande could transform her darkest experiences into music that uplifts and inspires, cementing her status as more than just an entertainer.
5. “imagine”
One of Grande’s most intimate and beautifully crafted songs, “imagine” features stripped-down production that puts her voice and emotional delivery at the center of everything. The track’s dreamy, almost ethereal quality creates space for Grande to explore themes of love, fantasy, and desire with remarkable vulnerability and honesty. Her vocal performance throughout is stunning, using subtle runs and dynamics to convey emotions that words alone cannot capture. This song represents Grande at her most artistic and personal, creating music that feels like a private conversation between artist and listener.
4. “sweetener”
The title track from her fourth album perfectly encapsulates Grande’s ability to find joy and positivity even in difficult circumstances, delivered through one of her most creative vocal arrangements. The song’s unique production, featuring unconventional percussion and an almost childlike melody, creates an atmosphere of pure happiness and love that feels genuinely infectious. Grande’s performance throughout is playful yet sophisticated, demonstrating her ability to make simple concepts profound through her musical interpretation. This track serves as a perfect example of how Grande uses her music to process and share her emotional experiences with remarkable authenticity.
3. “7 rings”
This trap-influenced anthem showcases Grande’s confidence and success while demonstrating her ability to adapt contemporary hip-hop elements into her pop framework seamlessly. The song’s clever interpolation of “My Favorite Things” creates an unexpected but brilliant musical foundation that supports Grande’s braggadocious lyrics and commanding vocal delivery. Her performance throughout is effortlessly cool, balancing singing and rhythmic delivery in a way that feels natural and powerful simultaneously. The track’s massive commercial success proved that Grande could successfully experiment with different genres while maintaining her essential artistic identity and appeal.
2. “thank u, next”
Rolling Stone ranked the song number five on its list of Grande’s 50 greatest songs, but this track deserves even higher recognition for its cultural impact and artistic achievement. The song’s message of gratitude, growth, and self-love delivered through Grande’s most mature and confident vocal performance created an instant classic that transcended music to become a cultural phenomenon. Her ability to transform personal pain into universal wisdom while maintaining an infectious, upbeat energy showcases her evolution as both an artist and a person. This track represents Grande at her most powerful, using her platform to promote healing and self-empowerment in ways that genuinely changed conversations around relationships and personal growth.
1. “eternal sunshine (interlude with dialogue)”
Grande is one of “pop music’s most under-appreciated songwriters, consistently matching concept with execution”, and this track from her latest work perfectly demonstrates that assessment. The song serves as both a standalone masterpiece and a crucial element in the album’s therapeutic narrative arc, showcasing Grande’s growth as both a vocalist and a conceptual artist. Her vocal performance throughout is breathtaking, utilizing space and silence as effectively as her famous runs and belting, creating something that feels both intimate and epic. This track represents the culmination of Grande’s artistic journey thus far, combining all her strengths—technical vocal ability, emotional intelligence, and sophisticated songcraft—into something truly transcendent that establishes her as one of the most important artists of her generation.
Ariana Grande’s Musical Evolution Through the Years
Throughout her career, Grande has consistently pushed boundaries while staying true to her core artistic vision, creating music that resonates across different demographics and musical tastes. Her journey from teen pop star to sophisticated artist mirrors her personal growth, with each album representing a new chapter in her ongoing evolution. The inclusion of tracks from her recent releases, including the critically acclaimed “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead,” demonstrates her continued relevance and artistic vitality in 2025. For more insights into contemporary pop music trends and artist rankings, explore our comprehensive guides section.
The Technical Mastery Behind the Music
Grande’s success isn’t just about her incredible voice—though her four-octave range and signature whistle tones are undeniably impressive—but also about her sophisticated understanding of song structure, production, and arrangement. Her collaborations with producers like Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and others have created a distinctive sonic signature that feels both contemporary and timeless. The way she incorporates live instrumentation with electronic elements, often featuring real instruments alongside programmed sounds, creates depth and texture that elevates her music above typical pop productions. Her attention to vocal arrangement and harmony, often layering multiple vocal tracks to create lush, complex soundscapes, demonstrates a level of musical sophistication that sets her apart from many of her contemporaries.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Beyond the technical and artistic achievements, Grande’s music has created significant cultural moments that extend far beyond the charts and streaming numbers. Songs like “thank u, next” didn’t just top charts—they shifted cultural conversations around relationships, self-love, and emotional growth in ways that few pop songs manage to achieve. Her willingness to address mental health, trauma, and healing through her music has created space for important conversations while providing genuine comfort to listeners facing similar challenges. As we look toward the future of pop music, Grande’s influence on both the sound and substance of contemporary pop continues to shape how artists approach vulnerability, empowerment, and artistic authenticity in their work.
What makes Ariana Grande’s vocal style unique compared to other pop artists?
Ariana Grande’s vocal style is distinguished by her impressive four-octave range, signature whistle tones, and her ability to seamlessly blend pop, R&B, and gospel influences in her delivery. Her technical proficiency includes complex melismatic runs, precise pitch control, and the rare ability to maintain power and clarity in her upper register. What truly sets her apart is her emotional intelligence in vocal delivery—she knows when to showcase her technical abilities and when to pull back for maximum emotional impact, creating performances that are both technically impressive and deeply moving.
How has Ariana Grande’s music evolved from her early releases to her recent work?
Grande’s evolution from her debut “Yours Truly” to recent releases like “eternal sunshine deluxe: brighter days ahead” shows remarkable artistic growth and maturation. Her early work focused more on showcasing her vocal abilities with classic pop and R&B influences, while her recent material demonstrates sophisticated songwriting, complex emotional themes, and experimental production choices. The progression shows her movement from proving her vocal credentials to using her voice as a tool for deeper artistic expression, incorporating elements of therapy-pop, alternative R&B, and more personal, introspective lyrical content.
Which Ariana Grande songs are considered her biggest commercial successes?
Grande’s biggest commercial successes include “7 rings,” which topped charts worldwide and achieved multiple platinum certifications, “thank u, next,” which became a cultural phenomenon beyond just music, and “positions,” which demonstrated her continued commercial relevance. Other major hits include “Problem,” “Break Free,” “God Is a Woman,” and tracks from her recent “Eternal Sunshine” era that have continued her streak of chart-topping success. These songs not only achieved massive streaming numbers and radio play but also created significant cultural moments and conversations.
What themes does Ariana Grande typically explore in her songwriting?
Grande’s songwriting consistently explores themes of love, relationships, personal growth, and resilience, often drawing from her own experiences with remarkable honesty and vulnerability. Recent work has incorporated themes of mental health, healing from trauma, and therapeutic self-reflection, particularly evident in her “Eternal Sunshine” album. She frequently addresses female empowerment, self-love, and independence, while also exploring more complex emotional territories like grief, anxiety, and the process of moving forward after difficult experiences. Her ability to transform personal pain into universal messages of hope and strength has become a hallmark of her artistic identity.
How do critics and fans typically rank Ariana Grande’s discography?
Critics and fans generally agree that Grande’s peak artistic period spans from “Dangerous Woman” through “thank u, next,” with her recent “Eternal Sunshine” work receiving critical acclaim for its maturity and conceptual coherence. Albums like “thank u, next” and “Sweetener” are often cited as her strongest complete works, while individual tracks like “God Is a Woman,” “breathin,” and “thank u, next” consistently rank among her best. Her latest releases continue to receive positive critical reception, with many praising her evolution as a songwriter and her willingness to explore more experimental and introspective territory while maintaining her essential pop appeal.