Arianators, how we doing? Rehydrated after crying our eyes out? Heartbeats back in to a regular rhythm after skipping a few beats? The release of Eternal Sunshine Deluxe: Brighter Days Ahead will do those kinds of things to a person, so don’t worry. This is a completely normal reaction to new Ariana Grande music, especially songs that reference her relationship with Ethan Slater.
Ari and Ethan haven’t said much about their romance to the press, so it’s up to the fans to go digging through the sacred texts (aka Ari’s lyrics) to find crumbs of info about the couple. They started dating in the summer of 2023 while filming Wicked, just a few months after Ari divorced Dalton Gomez and a few months before Ethan’s divorce from his wife was finalized. The timing was a little sketchy, but Ari and Ethan seem just so damn happy together, it’s hard to stay mad.
So when Eternal Sunshine came out in March 2024, it was clear there were gonna be some references to Ethan hidden in the tracks. Now with the Deluxe edition’s release in March 2025, and there’s even more music for us to explore. Read on to learn which of Ariana Grande’s songs are about Ethan Slater.
“Hampstead”
This Eternal Sunshine bonus track seems to be the most blatantly about Ari’s romance with Ethan. She lived in Hampstead, London while filming Wicked, and so we know that’s where their love blossomed. It’s also where she was when all the rumors about Ari and Ethan started in the media, and Ari seems to be having none of it based on the “Hampstead” lyrics.
“I left my heart at a pub in Hampstead/ And I misplaced my mind in a good way,” she sings. “Threw away my reputation but saved us more heartache/ Yes, I know it seems fucked up and you’re right.”
She reminds the public that we still don’t know everything about her Hampstead love story: “But quite frankly you’re still wrong about everything/ So far off, your seat’s nowhere near the table/ But I find something sweet in your peculiar behavior/ ’Cause I think to be so dumb must be nice.”
“Past Life”
Another new song from Eternal Sunshine Deluxe, “Past Life” is more of a breakup song so it seems like it’s more about Dalton. But there are a few lines about moving on to a better relationship, like, “Always wondered what would happen if I let myself need more,” and “Might fuck around and elevate my expectations.” Seems like Ethan is that “more” Ari was looking for.
“Intro (End Of The World)”
“Intro” finds Ari questioning how you know when it’s true love, and she recounts what sounds like her first meeting with Ethan. “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.”
The lyrics pinpoint that new crush feelings so perfectly!
“The Boy Is Mine”
In a reference to the iconic 1998 Brandy and Monica song, Ari croons, “How can it be? You and me/ Might be meant to be, can’t unsee it/ But I don’t wanna cause no scene/ I’m usually so unproblematic,” making it clear she wasn’t expecting her romance with Ethan — or all the drama that came with it. But even amidst it all, she says, “I can’t ignore my heart, boy.”
“Yes, And?”
Ari addresses the haters again with this bop and asks “Why do you care so much whose dick I ride?” So in a way, this one is also about Ethan… or at least, a part of him.
“Dandelion”
Speaking of Ari’s more suggestive songs, “Dandelion,” gives a little insight into Ari and Ethan’s more, uh, private life together. “I got what you need/ I’m thinking you should plant this seed/ I get this sounds unserious/ But, baby boy, this is serious,” she sings.
More of the spicy lyrics include: “You like how I pray, the secret’s in me/ ‘Cause, boy, come what may, I’m here on my knees These other flowers, don’t grow the same So just leave it here with me, let’s get dirty.”
“Warm”
“Warm” is a super romantic bonus track that seems to allude to Ari and Ethan’s time making Wicked together. “Never needed anybody to stay/ I’ve been the one to slip away/ Never thought I’d find another/ Could fly here at my pace,” she sings, with allusions to flying perhaps referencing all the airborne activity that happens in Wicked.
She also sings, “Can you hold the space I require?” which seems like a direct reference to the “holding space” moment from the Wicked press tour. Only Ari could make a meme romantic.
“Imperfect For You”
A true love song, “Imperfect For You” is a clear ode to Ethan. “My boy, come take my hand/ Throw your guitar and your clothes in the back seat/ My love, they don’t understand,” sings, once again talking about ignoring the gossip. “How could we know / That this was a happy disaster?” The romance may have started as a disaster, but they seem very, very happy.
