In her new single “7 Rings,” released  Jan. 18, Ariana Grande samples an innocent jazz song, “My Favorite Things”  from “The Sound of Music,” and turns it into a friendship anthem for six of her best friends. The title is an allusion to the diamond engagement rings she bought for the six and herself during a shopping spree after her breakup with Pete Davidson.

The artist is known for making songs that are about relationships, love and breakups. In her previously released “Thank U, Next,” Grande paid respect to all of her ex boyfriends and promised to focus on herself more. She stayed true to that promise with “7 Rings,” an ode to materialism, with Grande boasting about her riches and treating herself and her friends. She makes it clear: she doesn’t want relationships.  

“Wearing a ring, but ain’t gon’ be no Mrs /…  I’d rather spoil all my friends with my riches,” Grande sings. These lyrics showcase that friends come before love life, and that one should treat them accordingly.

“7 Rings” is an empowering female anthem in which Grande makes sure to point out that relationships are not the one thing that make a girl happy.

She sings “’Whoever said money can’t solve your problems? / Must not have had enough money to solve ’em.” And then adds “’Happiness is the same price as red-bottoms,” referring to Christian Louboutin shoes.

In the bridge, Grande reinforces that she is rich and there is nothing stopping her. The rap flow of this verse just points out the unbothered yet focused vibe of the song. Grande is confident in herself and she doesn’t need permission from anyone to do whatever she wants. This vibe of the song makes her audience feel as if they can conquer anything with enough will power.

“’I got my receipts, be lookin’ like phone numbers/If it ain’t money, then wrong number,” she sings. Although not many people can relate to the level of richness Grande has, as her net worth is $50 million, the vibe of the song invokes the feeling of dominance over others.

The song is mainly about financial independence, but Grande also references some of the sad events in her life and how to find a way out of them. Grande focuses on the fact that having money and good friends can help with any problem. This suggests that people should focus more on themselves and their own well-being rather than putting all the energy into others.

“Think retail therapy my new addiction,” she sings.

“7 Rings” is very different from any song Grande has put out before. It explores something other than relationships: clout. Ultimately Grande “flexes” on everybody with the repeated phrase “I see it, I like it, I want it, I got it,” which possibly reflects the attitude that she thinks everybody needs in 2019.