Material Girl Meets Self-Love: Ariana Grande’s ‘7 rings’
Ariana Grande’s ‘7 rings’ is a weaved masterpiece, released under Universal Records, that unabashedly celebrates materialism while simultaneously promoting self-love and independence. Drawing on a rich theme that intertwines the notion of luxury with self-reliance, Grande’s lyrics are far from shallow. They provide an introspective look into a mind that has wrestled with hardships, and emerged — rather savagely — victorious.
The opening lines capture the very essence of this indulgent offering. ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s and bottles of bubbles.’ This line exudes a Breakfast at Tiffany’s luxury, and elicits a certain Holly Golightly freedom—a woman making her own rules in a world that loves to tell women how they should behave.
When Grande croons ‘buy myself all of my favourite things,’ she is not merely batheing in riches. She is purposely reclaiming her narrative from the age-old viewpoint that women need men to attain luxurious possessions, much akin to the words ‘Rather be tied up with calls and not strings; Write my own checks like I write what I sing.’
The splurge on luxury doesn’t deviate into vanity either. Grande is clear when she says ‘Happiness is the same price as red-bottoms’, striking a balance between consumerism and inner peace. She uses her affluence as a tool, not as a result of her journey, but as the means to it.
Her lyrics are laden with the idea of treating yourself well – be it buying oneself diamonds, or even hair. The repetitive ‘I want it, I got it’ refrain reinforces the idea that it’s okay to desire things and to go after them, especially when you have the means.
In essence, Ariana Grande fashions ‘7 rings’ as a self-love anthem layered with pop luxury. The lyrics decode as a woman’s unabashed take on living a life untamed by societal expectations. It’s not just a rhapsody about wealth or appearance, it’s about the freedom of being able to affix a price tag to one’s desires and not relying on anyone else to foot the bill.