Before we’ve even had a chance to get over Ariana’s latest record-breaking single, the singer has gone and released a brand new follow-up. Thank u, next, literally.
The new single, “Imagine” became available at midnight on Twitter, Spotify and YouTube, where the moving lyric-video has already notched up 1 million views.
Earlier in the week, the pop powerhouse teased her new single on her Instagram story, alongside a countdown of the single’s release.
In the clip, you can hear Ariana singing, “Imagine a world like that. Imagine our world. ” On Twitter, she described the song as a “a simple, beautiful love that is now (and forever) unattainable. ”
While Ariana hasn’t confirmed exactly who she’s singing about in “Imagine”, many fans believe the ballad to be a tribute to her ex-boyfriend rapper Mac Miller, who died in September from an apparent drug overdose. It would make total sense, seeing as Miller had a tattoo on his arm that read “Imagine. ”
Given the song’s powerful lyrics, we’d say they might be right. As if to confirm the connection, Ariana responded to a fan’s tweet on Wednesday, who speculated about the meaning of the song.
“Kind of like… pretending it never ended. Denial. But I look forward to you hearing it and having your own experience with it. You may take away something totally different and specific to your life! Love u. ”
Over on Instagram, she provided further clues. “A lot of this album mourns failed yet important, beautiful relationships in my life (as well as celebrates growth/exploring new independence),. But for those of you asking about ‘Imagine’: I would say if ‘Thank U, Next’ = acceptance… ‘Imagine’ = denial. Hope that makes sense. ”
Whether she reveals the true inspiration behind the song or not, there’s no denying it’s a beautiful ballad that’s bound to resonate far and wide.
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