Ariana Grande’s ‘Bye’ Is a Breakup Song That Makes You Want To Dance
On her new album Eternal Sunshine, Ariana Grande offers a breakup anthem that sounds straight out of the disco. “Bye,” about the struggles of ending a relationship you tried to save and gathering the strength to move on with love, is laid over sweeping strings, bouncy synths, and angelic harmonies. The disco themes aren’t ironic but intentional; Grande likens a relationship to a dance and tells her partner to turn the music up solo.
While the pop star has noted that Eternal Sunshine is a concept album, there are some truths to the lyrics. (She even mentions her real-life best friend Courtney Chipolone pulling up in the driveway.) It could be read as an earnest parting goodbye from her ex-husband Dalton Gomez. The former couple married in 2021 and finalized their divorced last October.
She told Zach Sang about the song in an interview ahead of the album release: “The loss and grief that you hear some of the album, some of the heartbreak stuff, there was so much love and transparency. That was something I really wanted to make sure was captured, wasn’t like a ‘fuck you’ at all and ever. Even track number 2 [“Bye”], I tried to make sure it was kind and giving credit for trying and for the goodness that there was. So, that was a tricky balance for me because I definitely had some sessions where I was writing more emotionally and reactively but that’s also very human so I didn’t want to erase all of it.”
Listen to “Bye” and read the full lyrics below.
Bye bye, boy bye
Bye bye, boy bye
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
This ain’t the first time I’ve been hostage to these tears
I can’t believe I’m finally moving through my fears
At least I know how hard we tried both you and me
Didn’t we, didn’t we?
So I grab my stuff
Courtney just pulled up in the driveway
It’s time
Bye bye, boy bye
Bye bye, boy bye
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Bye bye, I’m taking what’s mine
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Ya know? I’m stronger than I think
Usually I’d join you on the floor
But this dance ain’t for me
Boy, just turn the music up
Maybe someday we’ll look back with love
Didn’t think you’d lose me
Now it's just too late to choose me
So I grab my stuff
Courtney just pulled up in the driveway
It’s time
Bye bye, boy bye
Bye bye, boy bye
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Bye bye, I’m taking what’s mine
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Now it's certainly bittersweet
This hook feels too hard to sing
But it's better than repeat
Bye bye, boy bye
Bye bye, boy bye
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Bye bye, I’m taking what’s mine
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Bye bye, boy bye
Bye bye, boy bye
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
Bye bye, I’m taking what’s mine
It’s over, it’s over, oh yeah
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