Ghostin

### Writers

Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Savan Kotecha, Victoria Monét, Tayla Parx, Y/N

## Audio

"**Ghostin**" (stylized in all lowercase) is the eighth track from Y/N's first studio album and Ariana Grande's fifth studio album, *Thank U, Next*. It was released on February 8, 2019 through Republic Records and Dream Records.

Lyrically, it discusses Grande's last two relationships, stating that "she should ghost the guy that still makes her cry and wants to stop hurting the person she is with now while he is being patient with her," being Mac Miller and Pete Davidson.

## Background

The song was confirmed on Instagram on January 22, 2019.

According to Grande, "Ghostin" was the first song written and recorded for the album, and took the longest to write: "we had to take lil breaks from ghostin. that was the first hook done and then we came back and did the verses like two weeks later... everything else we did in like an hour". She also stated that this was the hardest song she wrote for the album, especially the second verse.

On January 23, 2019 Grande was asked what this song is about and said that it's about "feeling badly for the person you're with because you love somebody else. Feeling badly because he can tell he can't compare... and how I [she] should be ghosting him."

After finishing the song, Grande didn't want it to be on the album and begged Scooter Braun to take it off, but he ended up convincing her to keep it on the album. Savan Kotecha, who co-wrote the song, told *Rolling Stone* of working on the track: "[When we were writing] 'Ghostin,' we were in New York... The song speaks for itself in terms of what it's about. We were with her for a week in New York witnessing that, witnessing her feelings on that."

## Chart performance

On the week ending February 23, 2019, the song debuted at number 25 on the US *Billboard* Hot 100.

## Trivia

* With the duration of 4 minutes and 31 seconds, this is the longest song on *Thank U, Next*.
* This is Joan Grande's favorite song from the album.
* Y/N said Ariana didn't want to put the song on Thank U, Next because it's too personal, but Scooter Braun wanted Ariana to put it on the album.
* Ariana said she didn't really finish the song. There was supposed to be a third verse, but Ariana kept breaking down while recording the song, so she just did harmonies instead.
* Grande revealed that she doesn't listen to this song because it's too hard for her and it was the hardest to write.
* For the same reason, she decided not to perform it on the Sweetener World Tour.
* There is a sample of Mac Miller’s ‘2009’. “*We’ll get through this/We’ll get past this*,” she sings softly at one point as a similar string arrangement to that on her ex-boyfriend’s song plays beneath.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

I know you hear me when I've cried

I try to hold it in at night

While you're sleeping next to me

But it's your arms that I need this time (This time)

Look at the cards that we've been dealt

If you were anybody else

Probably wouldn't last a day

Every tear's a rain parade from hell (From hell)

Baby, you do it so well

**[Pre-Chorus]**

You've been so understanding, you've been so good

And I'm puttin' you through more than one ever should

And I'm hatin' myself 'cause you don't want to

Admit that it hurts you

**[Chorus]**

I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again

Over him, mmm

I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again

'Stead of ghostin him

**[Post-Chorus]**

We'll get through this, we'll get past this, I'm a girl with

A whole lot of baggage

But I love you, we'll get past this, I'm a girl with

A whole lot of baggage, mmm, yeah

**[Verse 2]**

Though I wish he were here instead

Don't want that living in your head

He just comes to visit me

When I'm dreaming every now and then (And then)

And after all that we been through (And after all that we been through)

There's so much to look forward to

What was done and what was said

Leave it all here in this bed with you (With you)

Baby, you do it so well

**[Pre-Chorus]**

You've been so understanding, you've been so good

And I'm puttin' you through more than one ever should

And I'm hatin' myself 'cause you don't want to

Admit that it hurts you, baby

**[Chorus]**

I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again

Over him, mmm

I know that it breaks your heart when I cry again

'Stead of ghostin him

**[Post-Chorus]**

We'll get through this (Mmm), we'll get past this, I'm a girl with (Girl with)

A whole lot of baggage

But I love you (Love you), we'll get past this (Past this), I'm a girl with (Girl with)

A whole lot of baggage, mmm, yeah (Baggage, yeah, yeah)

## Navigation

 Released