True Story (song)

Last updated

"True Story"
Song by Ariana Grande
from the album Eternal Sunshine
ReleasedMarch 8, 2024 (2024-03-08)
Genre
Length2:43
Label Republic
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Lyric visualizer
"True Story" on YouTube

"True Story" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande from her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine (2024).

Contents

Composition

"True Story" is two minutes and 43 seconds long. [1] The song is described by Grande to be "an untrue story based on all untrue events" and features writing and production from Max Martin. [2] Sonically, it's a slinky, "solid R&B bounce" [3] featuring a catchy, "candy floss" chorus, [4] metal bass lines, [5] and some elements of G-funk in its instrumentation. [6] Lyrically, the song has Grande being self-referential to the image the media and tabloids put upon her regarding stories about her personal and dating life. [6] In the album's track list, the song is intended by Grande to set up and precede "The Boy Is Mine", letting her play the "bad girl". [7] [8]

Critical reception

Upon release, the song received positive reviews from music critics. Kyle Denis of Billboard ranked the song at number one, in a ranking of the album. In the ranking, Denis called the song "the smartest song Grande has ever made", noting the self-awareness in its lyrics and its similarities of "the 90s pop & R&B bounce" of "Fantasize". [3] Nick Levine, a writer at NME deemed the song an album highlight, calling it "cleverly self-referential" and applauding Grande's vocal performance over the "G-funk" inspired beat. [6] In a review of the parent album, Rolling Stone likened the song to something created by Timbaland for American singer Aaliyah. [9]

Credits

Recording

Personnel

Charts

Chart performance for "True Story"
Chart (2024)Peak
position
Australia (ARIA) [10] 39
Brazil (Brasil Hot 100) [11] 73
Canada (Canadian Hot 100) [12] 30
France (SNEP) [13] 62
Global 200 ( Billboard ) [14] 18
Greece (IFPI) [15] 15
Lithuania (AGATA) [16] 100
New Zealand (Recorded Music NZ) [17] 35
Poland (Polish Streaming Top 100) [18] 85
Portugal (AFP) [19] 32
Sweden Heatseeker (Sverigetopplistan) [20] 14
UAE (IFPI) [21] 20
UK Streaming (OCC) [22] 30
US Billboard Hot 100 [23] 30

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References

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  4. Brown, Helen (March 8, 2024). "Ariana Grande, Eternal Sunshine review: Clues and confessions bubble up from the slow-fizz pop". The Independent . Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024. The solid R&B; bounce of "True Story" sees her apparently addressing Jay's version of events: "I'll play the villain if you want me to… I'll play the bad girl if it makes you feel better." But its candyfloss chorus, which makes breezy use of Grande's effortless whistle register, finds her hitting back and sighing that's not what she wants.
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