Ariana Grande is known for investing her heart and soul into every performance, but there are certain emotional tracks she simply cannot perform live. Remarkably, there exists one song that she contemplated removing entirely from her discography. This phenomenon isn’t rare among artists; for instance, Slash of Guns N’ Roses almost chose not to include their iconic hit on their debut album. Similarly, other musicians also find songs too personal or painful to share in a live setting. The band Korn, for instance, decided to retire one of their tracks, preserving its essence as a studio piece rather than a live performance.
As an accomplished artist with a career that took off with Nickelodeon in 2010, Grande has well-earned the freedom to shape her musical journey. Since the release of her debut album in 2013, she has consistently infused her work with deep emotional resonance, drawing from her life experiences. Her lyrics often delve into personal territory, a quality that can yield both meaningful connections and complications as her life and sentiments evolve over time.
Ariana Grande’s “I Wish I Hated You”Will Never Be Performed Live
She Probably Won’t Even Listen To It
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5k2-0yRzKc
Set for release in March 2024, Eternal Sunshine marks Ariana Grande’s seventh studio album and arrives more than a decade after her debut. The album features standout tracks like “Yes, And?,””We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),”and a new interpretation of “The Boy Is Mine”by Monica and Brandy. However, one standout track that piqued interest is “I Wish I Hated You,”which features compelling lines like “I wish you were worse to me,” prompting listeners to speculate about the song’s deeper meanings.
During an appearance on the Zach Sang Show, Grande shared the song’s profound implications, stating, “I don’t need to pretend you’re a monster to make peace with this ending.”This insight offers clarity into the track’s raw narrative. Although “I Wish I Hated You”completes her emotional portfolio of breakup songs, Grande is adamant that it will not grace her live performances. She even candidly mentioned that it’s a song she is unlikely to ever revisit, reflecting the emotional weight of the piece.
Grande’s “Ghostin”Will Never Be Performed Live for a Similar Reason
It Almost Didn’t Make The Album
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1pmpDRrQhU
In the realm of music production, it’s common for artists to exclude certain tracks from an album due to constraints. This was the case with “Ghostin,”featured on Grande’s 2019 album Thank U, Next. During an interview with the Zach Sang Show, she revealed the track faced deletion until her manager, Scooter Braun, intervened, persuading her that it was a unique piece that deserved a spot on the record. She admitted to having disputes about other songs but ultimately decided to retain most of her work.
Ghostin [Verse 2]
Though I wish he were here instead
Don’t want that living in your head
He just comes to visit me
When I’m dreaming every now and then (And then)
And after all that we’ve been through
There’s so much to look forward to
What was done and what was said
Leave it all here in this bed with you
Grande has expressed a strong connection to every lyric, particularly the poignant second verse, leading fans to speculate that it addresses her feelings regarding former partners, Mac Miller and Pete Davidson. She described the emotional turmoil of loving one person while still holding onto feelings for another, a sentiment that resonates deeply with her. Yet, she has chosen not to clarify whom the song directly references. As stated in her chat with Zach Sang, she listens to all her tracks except for “Ghostin.”
Some Songs Are Just Too Difficult to Perform Live
Some Tracks Are Just Meant for the Record
Performing live demands intense focus and emotional energy, which explains why some artists opt to skip songs that might further amplify their emotions while they already give their all on stage. For Ariana Grande, “I Wish I Hated You”and “Ghostin”embody very personal emotions that go beyond mere lyrics, revealing a reluctance to share the complete backstory behind these works.
Although “Ghostin”is a favorite of her mother’s from Thank U, Next, Grande has decided to keep it as a studio piece, choosing to safeguard her emotional journey. Having been open about her life for years, she is now prioritizing her privacy and emotional well-being. The bright side is that Grande possesses a robust catalog of songs she is excited to share with her audience.
Statistics from her concert performances indicate that her most-played songs include “Break Free,””Love Me Harder,”and “Dangerous Woman,”showcasing her ability to blend hits from different stages of her career. With a staggering 77 million monthly listeners on Spotify and eight tracks exceeding one billion streams, Grande continues to gain support from fans worldwide. As she moves forward, it’s reassuring for her fans to understand that should she choose to omit certain songs from her setlist, they will still cherish her heartfelt performances.