Shut Up

### Writers

Ariana Grande, Tayla Parx, Tommy Brown, Peter Lee Johnson, Steven Franks, Travis Sayles, Y/N

### Producers

Tommy Brown, Peter Lee Johnson, Mr. Franks, Travis Sayles

"**Shut Up**" (stylized in all lower case) is the opening track from Ariana Grande's sixth studio album and Y/N’s second studio album , *Positions*. It was released on October 30, 2020 through Republic Records and Dream Records.

The song has been described as "a jewel box of an orchestral-pop number in which the singer tells off people too concerned with how she spends her time".

## Background

Grande confirmed the song as the opening track of *Positions* on October 24, 2020, through her social media. On the same day, she revealed that "Shut Up" was the first song written and recorded for the album.

In an interview with Zach Sang, Grande revealed the process of "Shut Up": "We just used all the notes on the scale. We were like 'how can we make something that's fun lyrically and also so musical at the same time?' so that it feels orchestral and sophisticated but lyrically it just fun and chill." She also explained "with 'Shut Up', we didn't want it to be too aggressive or preachy, it's kinda like an invite to act different and not spend so much time being negative and trying to waste your energy about people you hate."

## Critical reception

According to *NME* Hannah Mylrea, "Shut Up" sets a "precedent for the entire record." On her review of the parent album *Positions*, Alexa Camp from *Slant Magazine* highlighted Grande's and Y/N’s "cascading vocal lines propped up by plucky strings and orchestral flourishes" on the song, but she felt that it "sputters out soon after it reaches its swirling, cinematic climax." Bobby Olivier of *Spin* wrote that, despite the song being "quippy and fun", its golden-era Hollywood outro "doesn't really fit."

## Chart performance

"Shut Up" debuted at #47 on the *Billboard* Hot 100 during the chart week of November 14, 2020.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]**

My presence sweet and my aura bright

Diamonds good for my appetite

Guess it fuckin' just clicked one night

All them demons helped me see shit differently

So don't be sad for me

**[Pre-Chorus: Ariana Grande]**

How you been spending your time? (How?)

How you be using your tongue? (How?)

You be so worried 'bout mine (Mine)

Can't even get yourself none

You know you sound so dumb (So dumb, so dumb)

You know you sound so dumb (So dumb)

**[Chorus: Ariana Grande]**

So maybe you should shut up, mmm

Yeah, maybe you should shut up

Said if only you would shut up (Mmm)

Yeah, that's right, you should shut up (Ah)

**[Verse 2: Y/N]**

I vibrate high and my circle lit

We ain't really with drugs and shit

Love the game so I ain't never miss

Keep opinions muted for the hell of it

'Cause I like my shit (Mmm, yep)

**[Pre-Chorus: Y/N]**

How you been spending your time? (How?)

How you be using your tongue? (How?)

You be so worried 'bout mine (Mine)

Can't even get yourself none

You know you sound so dumb (So dumb, so dumb)

You know you sound so dumb (So dumb)

**[Chorus: Y/N]**

So maybe you should shut up, mmm

Yeah, maybe you should shut up

Said if only you would shut up (Mmm)

Yeah, that's right, you should shut up (Ah)

## Navigation

 Released