Breaking Down Ariana Grande’s ‘Eternal Sunshine’ Album Meaning: Lyrics for ‘Imperfect for You’ & More

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Image Credit: Robin Marchant/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Ariana Grande stopped the world from turning when she released “Yes, And?” earlier this year, but her full 2024 album, Eternal Sunshine, is an even bigger bombshell. Upon releasing the album on March 8, 2024, fans pointed to multiple tracks and speculated over their meanings. Many believe that songs such as the title track, “Eternal Sunshine,” point to a cheating ex. The only former lover fans can think of is Ariana’s ex-husband, Dalton Gomez, whom she divorced amid her relationship with new boyfriend Ethan Slater.

Find out the meaning behind the lyrics of some of Ari’s newest songs, below!

‘Eternal Sunshine’

In the album’s title track, Ariana sings about an unfaithful partner who lied to her.

“I’ve never seen someone lie like you do / So much, even you start to think it’s true,” the she sings in one part of the song. “So now we play our separate scenes / Now, now she’s in my bed, mm-mm, layin’ on your chest / Now I’m in my head, wonderin’ how it ends.”

In the chorus, Ari admits, “I’ll be the first to say, ‘I’m sorry’ / Now you got me feelin’ sorry / I showed you all my demons, all my lies / Yet you played me like Atari / Now it’s like I’m lookin’ in the mirror.”

She then seemingly references a new man in her life, whom many think is Ethan. “Hope you feel alright when you’re in her,” Ariana sings in the chorus. “I found a good boy and he’s on my side / You’re just my eternal sunshine, sunshine.”

‘We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)’

después del vídeo de eternal sunshine estaría necesitando una comedia romántica protagonista por ariana grande y evan peters porque son estéticamente perfectos juntospic.twitter.com/DIQanChuWy

— xime (@hsoftbaby) March 8, 2024

In the “We Can’t be Friends” music video, Ariana co-stars with Evan Peters as two lovers. As a reference to the Kate Winslet and Jim Carrey-starring film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Ariana has all memories of her ex erased, and she revisits her favorite moments with him. The lyrics describe a relationship that Ariana feels conflicted about.

“We can’t be friends / But I’d like to just pretend,” she sings in the chorus. “You cling to your papers and pens / Wait until you like me again.”

my heart broke here pic.twitter.com/XabiXsIF2A

— Ariana Grande Today ☀️ (@ArianaToday) March 8, 2024

‘Bye’

As the title suggests, Ariana is saying “bye” to a relationship that had been struggling for a while.

“This ain’t the first time I’ve been hostage to these tears,” she sings in the first verse. “I can’t believe I’m finally movin’ through my fears / At least, I know how hard we tried, both you and me / Didn’t we? Didn’t we?”

‘Wish I Hated You’

Throughout this track, Ariana is parting ways with an ex, whom she holds no ill will toward.

“Hung all my clothes in the closet you made,” she sings in the first verse. “Your shoes still in boxes, I send them your way / Hoping life brings you no new pain.”

‘Imperfect for You’

Many of Ari’s fans are convinced “Imperfect for You” is all about her relationship with Ethan, since they sparked controversy over the timeline of their romance when she split from Dalton and he split from his estranged wife, Lilly Jay.

“How could we know / We’d rearrange all the cosmos? Mm We crashed, and we burned / Now I just can’t go where you don’t go,” she sings at the beginning.

‘Intro (End of the World)’

Ariana opens up about a relationship she’s unsure but passionate about in “Intro (End of the World). Fans think the lyrics point to how her romance with Ethan started.

“How can I tell if I’m in the right relationship? / Aren’t you really s’posed to know that s**t?” she asks at the beginning of the track. “Feel it in your bones and own that s**t? / I don’t know / Then I had this interaction I’ve been thinkin’ ’bout for like five weeks / Wonder if he’s thinkin’ ’bout it too and smiling / Wonder if he knows that that’s been what’s inspirin’ me / Wonder if he’s judgin’ me like I am right now.”