"POV" | ||||
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Single by Ariana Grande | ||||
from the album Positions | ||||
Released | March 23, 2021 | |||
Recorded | September 2020 | |||
Studio | Champagne Therapy (Los Angeles) | |||
Genre | R&B | |||
Length | 3:21 | |||
Label | Republic | |||
Songwriter(s) | ||||
Producer(s) |
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Ariana Grande singles chronology | ||||
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"POV" (an acronym for "point of view") is a song by American singer Ariana Grande from her sixth studio album Positions (2020). The song was released to US contemporary hit radio in the United States on March 23, 2021, serving as the album's third single. Grande wrote the song with Tayla Parx. And the song was produced by Mr. Franks, Oliver "Junior" Frid and Tommy Brown.
Following the release of Positions, "POV" debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, later peaking at number 27. It reached number three on the US Mainstream Top 40, and aided Grande in becoming the first artist to post three concurrent top ten hits in the chart's history. In addition, the song reached top 20 in the charts of Ireland, New Zealand, Puerto Rico Anglo and the United Kingdom, as well as the top ten in Rolling Stone 's Top 100 chart.
A dance lyric video for the song, directed by Director X, was released on April 30, 2021 to coincide with the six month anniversary of Positions. A live performance music video of "POV" was released on June 21, 2021.
On October 24, 2020, Grande released the track list of Positions via social media, revealing "POV" as the fourteenth and final track on the album. [1] [2]
"POV" is an R&B ballad with a quiet arrangement accompanied by cello and viola. It has a length of three minutes and twenty-one seconds, [3] and is written with a tempo of 132 beats per minute in the key of E♭ major, while Grande's vocals range from a low note of B♭3 to a high note of G5. [4] The song opens with rainfall sound effects. [5] On the last line, Grande's voice follows a descending melody as the music fades out. [6]
Lyrically, the song explores the idea of switching places with a lover, [7] and how love can smooth out perceived imperfections. [8] In the track, Grande mentions how deeply her lover, Dalton Gomez, understands her and loves her, how much more understood and adored the singer feels through his eyes, [9] as well as her insecurities, her initial fear of starting a relationship again, and how Gomez has helped her overcome it. [10] She also expresses joy for being accepted for her "ugly", [11] and makes a plea to love herself just as much as her partner loves her. [12]
Jason Lipshutz of Billboard ranked "POV" as his top song from Positions, describing the track as one that "breaks the mold of a traditional R&B ballad", calling it "a breathtaking show-stopper" and "the most elegant–and arguably the flat-out best–deployment of full-on balladry in her catalog to date". He particularly praised the song's lyrical concept, which he regards as an integral part in what makes the song "work so well". [8] Vulture's Justin Curto named the song "one of Grande's best performances on Positions", deeming it "an ecstatic finale presenting her whole range of whistle tones, belts, and runs in just three and a half minutes". [7] Writing for Consequence of Sound , Mary Siroky chose "POV" as one of the three "essential tracks" from the album, and considered it "perhaps the best showcase for the belt listeners often crave from her". [13] Chris DeVille of Stereogum wrote in his review of the album: "Album closer 'POV' is the sort of churchy traditionalist ballad Carey or Whitney Houston once slayed, and Grande proves herself a worthy heir." [14]
Callie Ahlgrim of Insider ranked "POV" as the 14th best song of 2020, naming it the best ballad in Grande's entire catalog. She praised Grande's "transcendent" vocals, writing that the song "boasts some of her most intimate, impressive lyrics to date". She also commended the song for being "sentimental and expressive without feeling pretentious". [15] In Billboard's staff list of the 100 best songs of 2020, "POV" was positioned at 52, with Rania Aniftos commenting that the song "smash[es] the walls [Grande] built up throughout Sweetener and Thank U, Next " and "reveal[s] her most beautifully defenseless side yet". [16] NPR ranked "POV" as the 98th best song of 2020, with Nastia Voynovskaya from KQED stating: "Ariana Grande's 'POV' comes off as a fluttering, ethereal ode to newfound love, but it's really a meditation on how she uses romance as a lens to better get to know herself." [17]
Erin Parker of Glamour selected "POV" as one of the 63 best songs of 2020, writing: "I'm always here for an Ari ballad, and 'POV' is such a gorgeous ending to Positions." [18] Natasha Jokic of BuzzFeed picked "POV" as one of the best songs of 2020. Complimenting Grande's "breathtaking" vocals, she stated: "'POV' gives us a tender insight that's a lot more vulnerable than the rest of Positions might suggest." [19] Karla Rodriguez of Complex ranked "POV" as the 10th best song of 2020. [20] Cahleb Derry of CED Radio named "POV" the sixth best song of 2020, citing a "level of musical and emotional maturity that you cannot fabricate — you simply have to be there to make music like that." [21] Harper's Bazaar named "POV" as one of the best songs of 2020, with Erica Gonzales calling it a "head-over-heels-in-love ballad" and a standout track from Positions. [22] Rachel Epstein of Marie Claire regarded "POV" as one of the best love songs of 2020. [23]
Following the release of Positions, "POV" debuted at number 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming the fifth highest charting track from the album that week. [24] "POV" also debuted at number 22 on the Billboard Global 200. [25] As the song sparked an online trend on the video-sharing platform TikTok, it remained stable at number 45 in its second and third week on the Hot 100. Following its launch to US adult contemporary radio, "POV" reached a new peak of number 37 on the Hot 100, in its thirteenth tracking week, on the issue dated June 12, 2021. [26] In its fourteenth tracking week, "POV" declined two spots to number 39, while in its fifteenth tracking week, it rose to a new peak of number 33 on the chart. [27] Following the release of its live music video, "POV" soared to a new peak of number 27 on the Hot 100. It has since charted for a total of 20 non-consecutive weeks.
"POV" entered the top ten of the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart at number ten on the issue dated May 15, 2021. It became the third consecutive top ten hit from the parent album Positions and Grande's 19th top ten single. The same week Grande had three songs in the top ten of pop airplay chart, "Positions", "34+35" and "POV" making her the first artist to post three concurrent top ten hits in the survey's history, which started in 1992. Since earning her first top ten hit with "Problem" in June 2014, no other artist has earned as many top ten hits as Grande. [28] [29] [30] The song reached a peak of number three there.
In the United Kingdom, "POV" debuted at number 22, becoming Grande's 29th top 40 entry on the UK Singles Chart. [31] In the following week, it rose to a new peak of 19, becoming Grande's 26th top 20 hit in the UK. [32]
A music video for "POV" was expected to be released, however it was ultimately scrapped and cancelled for unknown reasons. Behind the scenes footage leaked online in 2022, showing Grande seated in a dreamy-looking grass field with a tree beside her.
On January 18, 2022, actor George Todd McLachlan, who played in Euphoria and Shameless, posted a TikTok confirming the music video, showing the shooting schedule of the project. The video shoot took place in Miami, Florida. On January 22, 2023, new images from the music video leaked.
On May 18, 2023, the music video, directed by Stefan Kohli and produced by Valerie Bush and Julio Mata Jr., leaked in its entirety. [33]
Credits adapted from Tidal and the liner notes of Positions. [34] [35]
Personnel
Recording and management
Notes
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
Australia (ARIA) [62] | Platinum | 70,000‡ |
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil) [63] | Diamond | 160,000‡ |
Norway (IFPI Norway) [64] | Gold | 30,000‡ |
Poland (ZPAV) [65] | Gold | 25,000‡ |
Portugal (AFP) [66] | Gold | 5,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [67] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
United States | March 23, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | Republic | [68] [69] |
April 19, 2021 | [70] |
The discography of American singer, songwriter, and actress Ariana Grande consists of seven studio albums, two compilation albums, one live album, two extended plays (EPs), fifty-four singles, and fifteen promotional singles. Throughout her career thus far, Grande has sold over 90 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. According to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), she has sold over 100 million units, across albums, singles, and features, and 10 million albums and 73.5 million digital singles units as a lead artist. In the U.S., Grande has moved 22.4 million album units, and garnered over 23.6 billion streams across lead artist credits, according to Luminate. Having amassed over 105 billion consumed streams thus far, Grande is the most streamed female artist ever. She is also the most streamed female artist of the 2010s on Spotify and Apple Music. She has amassed 73 chart entries on the Billboard Hot 100—the fourth most entries for a female artist—including seven number ones and 20 top-10 hits so far. Grande was named the sixth top female artist of the 2010s decade, and was ranked among Billboard's Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Artists, at number 78. Grande is also one of the most certified female artists in the UK, with nearly 25 million units.
"Problem" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring Australian rapper Iggy Azalea. It was written by both alongside Savan Kotecha, Ilya and Max Martin, being produced by the latter two with Shellback, with Peter Carlsson serving as a vocal producer. The song was released by Republic Records on April 28, 2014, as the lead single from Grande's second studio album My Everything (2014). "Problem" is an uptempo dance-pop and R&B with influences of funk music, which comprises a melody based on drums, saxophone loops, and trumpets. The chorus features uncredited background vocals from American hip-hop artist Big Sean. Lyrically, Grande has stated that the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour – but you want to more than anything."
"Love Me Harder" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande and Canadian singer the Weeknd from Grande's second studio album, My Everything (2014). It was written by the Weeknd, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Peter Svensson, Ali Payami and Belly. The song was produced by Payami and Peter Carlsson, with Svensson serving as a vocal producer. It was released by Republic Records on September 30, 2014, as the fourth single from the album. "Love Me Harder" is a pop, synthwave, synth-pop, R&B ballad with a "throbbing, electro-heavy chorus", a guitar riff and "big vacuum-esque synths". Lyrically, the song features double entendres about rough sex.
"Santa Tell Me" is a Christmas song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande. The song was released worldwide by Republic Records on November 24, 2014, via iTunes Store. It was included on the Japanese exclusive reissue of Grande's first EP Christmas Kisses (2013), and a "naughty version" with suggestive lyrics was included on Grande's second EP Christmas & Chill (2015). The song was written by Grande, Savan Kotecha, and Ilya Salmanzadeh, who also served as its producer.
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"Into You" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande from her third studio album Dangerous Woman (2016). Grande co-wrote the song with Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and its producers Max Martin and Ilya. The song was made available for digital download on May 6, 2016, via pre-order of the album, and was later serviced to US contemporary hit and rhythmic radio stations on June 28 as the album's second single. It is a dance-pop, house, electro, and EDM song that features a club beat, synths, and sharp clicks. The song is about Grande's desire for her partner to show more affection in their relationship. The song received widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised the production and the lyrics of the song.
"Side to Side" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, featuring Nicki Minaj, from Grande's third studio album, Dangerous Woman (2016). Grande co-wrote the song with Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Minaj along with its producers Max Martin and Ilya. It is a reggae-pop song, featuring guest vocals from Minaj. The song was serviced to rhythmic and urban contemporary radio on August 30, 2016, serving as the third single from the album.
"No Tears Left to Cry" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande from her fourth studio album, Sweetener (2018). The song was written by Grande and Savan Kotecha with its producers Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh. The song serves as the lead single from Sweetener and was released for digital download and streaming worldwide on April 20, 2018, through Republic Records. An uptempo dance-pop song driven by a UK garage beat featuring disco and R&B elements, its lyrics reflect on Grande's efforts to move on following the attack on her concert the previous year, "celebrating rising above the world's negativity" with a "nearly spoken-word" vocalization.
"God Is a Woman" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on July 13, 2018, as the second single from her fourth studio album Sweetener (2018). The song was written by Grande, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Rickard Göransson and its producer Ilya.
"Breathin" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande and the third and final single from her fourth studio album Sweetener (2018). It was sent to contemporary hit radio stations in the United States on September 18, 2018. Produced by Ilya Salmanzadeh, "Breathin" is a dance-pop song that features synthesizers and an upbeat production incorporating disco and EDM elements. The lyrics discuss how breathing can alleviate panic attacks, based on Grande's experiences with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of a terrorist bombing that killed 22 people in one of her concerts.
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"Imagine" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande. The song was written by Grande, Jameel Roberts and Priscilla Renea alongside its producers Andrew "Pop" Wansel and Happy Perez. It was released on December 14, 2018, as the only promotional single from her fifth studio album Thank U, Next (2019).
"7 Rings" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande, from her fifth studio album Thank U, Next (2019). It was released as the album's second single on January 18, 2019, through Republic Records. The song was written by Grande, Victoria Monét, Tayla Parx, Njomza, and Kaydence, alongside its producers Tommy Brown, Charles Anderson, and Michael Foster, with additional writing credits going to Rodgers and Hammerstein for an interpolation of their showtune "My Favorite Things" from The Sound of Music.
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"Positions" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande and the lead single from Grande's sixth studio album of the same name. It was released on October 23, 2020, through Republic Records. The song was written by Grande, Angelina Barrett, Brian Vincent Bates, Nija Charles, James Jarvis, Tommy Brown, London on da Track, and Mr. Franks, and produced by the last three.
Positions is the sixth studio album by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released by Republic Records on October 30, 2020. Grande worked with numerous producers on Positions, including frequent collaborator Tommy Brown, accompanied by longtime co-writers Victoria Monét and Tayla Parx. Inspired by her "emotional healing", Grande desired to emphasize her vocals on the album.
"34+35" is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande, included as the second track on her sixth studio album, Positions (2020). It was written by Grande, Albert Stanaj, Courageous Xavier Herrera, Scott Nicholson, Steven Franks, Tayla Parx, Victoria Monét, and its producers Peter Lee Johnson and Tommy Brown. The song was released through Republic Records on November 3, 2020, serving as the second official single from Positions. The song's title and chorus reference the 69 sex position, while the rest of its lyrics feature several sexual puns, double entendres, and sex jokes.
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