Positions (album)

Songs

Positions opens with "Shut Up", a chamber pop song built around orchestral flourishes and pizzicato strings, establishing the music motif of the album's production.^[19][20] Described as a "jewel box of an orchestral-pop number", Grande addresses people preoccupied with her personal life and encourages them to redirect their time and energy.^[19][21] She explained that the song was intended as an invitation to reject negativity rather than coming off as aggressive.^[22] The string arrangement continues into "34+35", an uptempo pop and R&B song^[23][24] that juxtaposes sexually explicit wordplay with layered background vocals, trap-influenced percussion and orchestral instrumentation.^{[25][26][27][28]} Grande said the song began as a joke, with strings that sounded "Disney and orchestral and full and pure", prompting her and her collaborators to contrast the sound with the "dirtiest possible" lyrics they could write.^[29][30] The third track, "Motive", featuring Doja Cat, combines dance-pop, house, and trap elements as Grande questions the intentions and motive of a potential romantic partner.^[19][31] Grande had mentioned the two worked on a track together during an interview in May 2020.^[32] The two would collaborate again on the remix of "34+35" alongside American rapper Megan Thee Stallion.^[33] On the fourth track, "Just Like Magic", a downtempo R&B^[34] and trap^[35] song, Grande describes her daily routine, which includes mindful thinking, meditation, professional obligations, and recording music.^[36] Lyrically, the song centers heavily on the concept of manifestation as a means to attracting positive outcomes.^[37] Blum of Pitchfork referred to it as a sequel to "Successful" from Sweetener (2018), while observing that Grande's reference to writing "love letters to heaven" briefly introduces grief into the otherwise playful song.^[36]

The fifth track, "Off the Table", is a slow R&B ballad featuring The Weeknd built around strings and heavy drums.^[20][36] Lyrically, Grande questions whether she is capable of loving again while still healing from the loss of a previous relationship. The Weeknd responds from the perspective of a new partner, assuring her that he is willing to wait despite fearing that he may remain second to someone she has lost.^[36][38] Grande later described the song's creation as "a very intimate moment and writing process between two friends".^[39] "Six Thirty" pairs Grande's silky harmonies with an unusual, muted production. Its title refers to the downward position of a clock's hands at 6:30, which Grande uses as a metaphor to ask whether her partner is equally "down" for their relationship.^[40][41] During the bridge, Grande adopts a rap-like delivery while presenting hypothetical situations, such as playing video games, to question the limits of her partner's commitment.^[35] The central question reveals Grande's uncertainty over whether her partner is prepared to support her emotionally and whether she is ready to request that support.^[36] The uncertainty continues on "Safety Net", a duet with Ty Dolla Sign in which Grande compares falling in love to falling without anything to protect her.^[36][42] Its atmospheric production incorporates murky, sigh-like sounds as Grande debates whether to resist her feelings or surrender to them. The lyrics portray her confronting and negotiating with fear as she experiences emotions she can no longer control.^[42] Leon Thomas, one of the song's producers and co-writers, recalled that the song developed spontaneously after he visited Grande with his laptop and Ty Dolla Sign unexpectedly joined the recording session.^[43]

"My Hair" is a jazz-infused neo-soul^[44] and R&B^[45] song incorporating retro guitar, muted trumpet, steel drums, and synthesizers.^[46][47] Initially framed as a sensual double entendre, its lyrics reveal Grande inviting a lover to run their hands through her signature ponytail as an expression of vulnerability and intimacy.^[38][48] The final chorus is performed entirely in her whistle register.^[49][50] Vulture's Rachel Handler described "My Hair" as "a witty, clever little ditty about reassuring an uneasy lover and a classic horny bait and switch"^[41] “Nasty” is a lo-fi R&B song incorporating trap and bedroom-pop elements, with Grande’s layered harmonies set against hazy synthesizers.^[14][51] The song opens with whistle tones before Grande openly expresses her desire to move beyond flirtation and act upon her physical attraction.^[19] Lyrically, the song has Grande openly and explicitly expressing her desire to move past flirtation and act upon physical attraction. ^[21][52]. The tenth track, "West Side", is a "simmering" R&B song with hip-hop production and synthesizers.^[50][53] Lyrically, Grande attempts to ease pressure from a developing relationship by rejecting conventional expectations and promising her partner emotional and physical satisfaction.^[35] Reviews compared the song’s production to Aaliyah’s “One in a Million” and reported that it contained a sample; however, no sample is credited in the album’s liner notes.^[30]

“Love Language” shifts the album's sound into an effervescent, uptempo blend of disco and new jack swing,^[30][54] incorporating string stabs and distorted vocals.^[35] Lyrically, Grande uses the concept of speaking and learning a partner’s love language to explore emotional communication, sexual compatibility, and unlearning unhealthy relationship habits.^[55] The song concludes with a brief outro taken Grande initially intended to develop into a separate song. She explained that she retained it as an outro after being unable to expand the idea.^[56] In It, she expresses commitment to her lover, wanting to make him her home.^[19] The title track and lead single, “Positions”, is a midtempo, “slinky” pop-R&B song^[36][54] built around trap percussion, violin, plucked guitar, and intricately layered background vocals.^[57][58][59] Lyrically, Grande expresses her devotion to her lover and willingness to embrace unfamiliar roles and experiences for the relationship.^[59][60][61] The title refers both to the different roles Grande is willing to occupy within the relationship and to the song’s sexual innuendos.^[62] Grande performed and arranged the layered background vocals heard throughout the track, with behind-the-scenes footage documenting her process of stacking harmonies and ad-libs during the bridge.^[63][64] The thirteenth track, "Obvious”, continues the album’s exploration of new love, with lyrics expressing certainty and commitment in her feelings while hoping that the relationship will not have the same outcomes as previous relationships.^[19][35] The song combines string-heavy production with burbling synthesizers and "classic R&B" melodies.^[35][50] The album closes with “POV”, an R&B ballad that opens with rainfall sounds and features a quiet arrangement of cello and viola.^[36][65] Grande expresses wanting to see herself and all of her imperfections through her partner’s perspective, desiring to hold the same love, trust, and acceptance they extend toward her.^[35][65] The song is characterized as "a plea for self-love that brings the album’s underlying anxiety back into focus."^[36][66]

Singles

The title track, "Positions", accompanied by its music video, was released on October 23, 2020, as the album's lead single.^[72][73][74] "Positions" debuted atop the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Grande's fifth number-one single and extending her record of having the most number one debuts of any artist in history.^[75] Spending 17 weeks in the top 10 of the Hot 100, it tied "Thank U, Next" as Grande's longest-running top 10 single in the United States. The track also peaked at number one on the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart in December 2020, becoming Grande's seventh number one single and 17th top ten single on the chart. It remained at the top position for seven consecutive weeks there, becoming Grande's longest running number one single on the pop airplay chart, surpassing "7 Rings".^[76] Internationally, "Positions" was a similar commercial success, topping record charts in 11 countries and reaching the top ten in 30 other countries. In April 2021, "Positions" was certified double platinum by the RIAA, for shipments of over 2 million units in the United States.^[77]

"34+35" was released on October 30, 2020, serving as the second single from the album.^[78][79] Its debut at number eight on the Hot 100 marked Grande's 18th career top ten single, tying her with Beyoncé for the eighth-most top ten entries among women.^[80] Following the release of its remix, "34+35" reached a peak of number two on the chart dated January 30, 2021, becoming Grande's 12th top five hit in the United States.^[81] The track also peaked at number one on the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart in February 2021, becoming Grande's eighth number one single and second number one single from Positions. It unseated the title track, which was atop the chart for seven consecutive weeks, making Grande the first artist to replace herself at number one with two solo songs.^[82] It remained at the top position for three consecutive weeks.^[83] The track also peaked at number one on the U.S. Rhythmic Top 40 airplay chart, becoming Grande's third number one single there.^[84] In April 2021, "34+35" was certified double platinum by the RIAA, for moving over 2 million units in the United States.^[85]

"POV" was sent to American adult contemporary radio stations on April 19, 2021, as the album's third single.^[86] Following the release of the album, "POV" debuted at number 40 on the Hot 100, later peaking at number 27.^[80] "POV" entered the top ten of the US Mainstream Top 40 airplay chart at number ten on the issue dated May 15, 2021. It became the third consecutive top ten hit from Positions and Grande's 19th top ten single. The same week, Grande yielded three songs in the top ten of pop airplay chart; the title track, "34+35" and "POV", making her the first artist to post three concurrent top ten hits in the survey's history.^[87][88]

Year-end lists

Several publications listed Positions in their rankings of best albums of 2020. Additionally, some of its tracks were also named amongst best songs of 2020: "Positions",^[101] "34+35",^[102] "POV",^[103] "Just like Magic",^[104] "Nasty",^[105] "My Hair",^[106] "Motive",^[106] "Love Language",^[106] "Six Thirty",^[107] and "Off the Table".^[107]

Awards and nominations

United States

Positions debuted at number-one on the US Billboard 200 chart, with 174,000 album-equivalent units, which included 173.54 million on-demand streams and 42,000 album sales, in its first week. This became Grande's fifth US number one debut and the fourth album by a female artist to reach number one in 2020. At the time of its release, Positions achieved the highest one-week total for an album since bundles and concert ticket offers stopped factoring into chart and sales rankings (October 9, 2020). Positions marked Grande's third number-one album in under two years and three months, which was the fastest accumulation of three number one albums by a woman at that time.^[123] It became Grande's fifth chart-topper on the Billboard Top Album Sales chart.^[124]

All 14 tracks of Positions charted simultaneously within the top 75 of the US Billboard Hot 100, issue dated November 14, 2020, becoming Grande's second consecutive album to do so, following Thank U, Next (12 songs). Grande's career Hot 100 count expanded to 66 entries, the fourth-most among women.^[80] In its second week, the album remained at number one on the chart, with a furthered 83,000 units and 99.5 million on-demand streams. It was her second consecutive album to spend its first two weeks at number one, following Thank U, Next.^[125] In its third week, the album slipped to number four on the chart, moving over 75,000 units.^[126]

Following the release of the deluxe version, Positions ascended to the second spot of the Billboard 200 on the chart dated March 6, 2021, moving 49,000 units in its seventeenth week.^[127] After its vinyl and cassette release, Positions returned to number six on the chart dated April 24, 2021, earning 54,000 units in its twenty-fourth week.^[128] The album also peaked atop the Billboard Vinyl Albums Chart in the week ending April 15, 2021, becoming Grande's first chart-topper there.^[129] Having sold around 32,000 vinyl LPs that week, it held the former record for the largest vinyl sales week by a female artist since MRC Data began tracking sales in 1991.^[130] On April 6, 2021, Positions was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for moving a million units in the US.^[131]

As of the July 2021 MRC Data report, Positions was the tenth most consumed album of 2021 thus far, having earned 707,000 album-equivalent units in the year's first six months.^[132] The sum consisted of 108,000 album sales, 133,000 song sales, 766.2 million on-demand audio streams, and 74 million on-demand video streams.^[133] Overall, Positions landed at number eight on the Billboard 200 year-end chart for 2021, while being the third-biggest album amongst female artists, behind Olivia Rodrigo's Sour and Taylor Swift's Evermore.^[134] Additionally, three Positions songs landed on the Hot 100 year-end chart of the same year, with "Positions" at number 14, "34+35" at number 21 and "POV" at number 87.^[135]

Other territories

In the United Kingdom, Positions debuted at number one on the UK Albums Chart, becoming her fourth number one album. For the second time, Grande achieved a chart double with the title track at number one as well. Grande achieved this in 2019, when her album Thank U, Next and single "Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored" topped the album and singles chart simultaneously. She is the fourth artist, and first female artist, to achieve a chart double in 2020, following Drake, Eminem, and Stormzy, and the second female to achieve this feat twice since Rihanna in 2011.^[136] In April 2021, Positions also topped the UK's Official Vinyl Albums Chart.^[137]

In Canada, Positions debuted at the top spot of Billboard Canadian Albums chart, yielding Grande her fourth Canadian number-one album and third consecutive number-one album.^[138] It remained at number one for two consecutive weeks.^[139] All 14 tracks of Positions charted on the Canadian Hot 100 simultaneously—Grande's third album to do so, after Sweetener and Thank U, Next. The title track became Grande's fifth Canadian number-one hit and "34+35" debuted at number eight and later peaked at number five, becoming Grande's eighteenth top ten hit in the country.^[140] Positions was the 11th biggest album of 2021 on the Billboard Canadian Albums chart (fourth amongst female artists).^[141]

In Ireland, Positions debuted atop the Irish Albums Chart, becoming Grande's fourth consecutive number one album in the country. It was the most downloaded and most streamed album of the week. Joining Madonna, Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, Grande became the fourth female soloist to claim at least four number-one albums on the Irish Albums Chart.^[142] The title track became Grande's seventh chart-topper on the Irish Singles Chart and spent three consecutive weeks at number one in the country, while "34+35" peaked at number four.

Aided by Positions, Grande placed at number eight on the list of best-selling artists of the world in 2020 by International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, ranking third amongst women.^[143]

Notes

• ^{^[a]} signifies a co-producer
• ^{^[b]} signifies an additional producer
• ^{^[c]} these contributors are only credited on digital releases of the album
• Physical releases of Positions credit Doja Cat and the Weeknd as featured artists instead of co-lead artists on "Motive" and "Off the Table", respectively.

Musicians

Production

Technical