Motive

### Writers

Ariana Grande, Amala Dlamini, Nija Charles, Victoria Monét, James McIntyre, Shane Lindstrom, Tommy Brown, Steven Franks, Y/N

### Producers

Murda Beatz, TBHits, Mr. Franks, Joseph L'Étranger

## Audio

"**Motive**" (stylized in all lower case; originally titled **Motivate**) is the third 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. This marks the first collaboration between Grande and American rapper, Doja Cat.

## Background

The collaboration was first confirmed by Ariana Grande during a Zane Lowe interview. She revealed she worked with Doja around late 2019 to early 2020. When Ariana sent Doja the song, Doja said she was showering and would listen to it later. The next morning, Doja sent Ariana her verse and a video of herself twerking so hard that her wig fell off her head. She then asked Ariana if she could extend her verse because "it was mad inspiring", which Ariana allowed her to do.

In June 2020, Doja Cat went on Instagram Live and was considering revealing a lyric from her verse on "Motive" but decided against it due to the song pending copyright at the time. In September, rumors had spread that Ariana Grande and Doja Cat were featured on an upcoming Nicki Minaj song. Doja quickly confirmed these rumors as false but confirmed the existence of her collab with Grande alone.

During her interview with Zach Sang, Grande said "Felt it in my bones. I was like, ‘Oh, she’s gonna eat this’. It’s just such a specific space to occupy, a: it’s like vogue-y and b: it kinda is, more like slow. So, it’s kinda hard to just have a couple bars on, like, that tempo of a song and know what to do with it, but she really added so much to it. I love it" when asked about why she chose Doja as a feature.

The collaboration was confirmed as the third track of *Positions* on October 24, 2020, through Grande's social media.

## Chart performance

"Motive" debuted at #32 on the *Billboard* Hot 100 during the chart week of November 14, 2020.

## Trivia

* Visualizers of Ariana lip-syncing to every song on *Positions* during the album's photoshoot were recorded, but never released. A snippet of the visualizer for "Motive", alongside others, leaked on April 12, 2023. The full video has to leak.

## Lyrics

**[Intro]**

Mu-Mu-Mu-Murda

**[Verse 1: Ariana Grande]**

Tell me why I get this feeling

That you really wanna turn me on

Tell me why I get this feeling

That you really wanna make me yours, ah

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

'Cause I see you tryin', subliminally tryin'

To see if I'm gon' be the one to sing along

I admit it's exciting, parts of me gonna like it

But before I lead you on

**[Chorus: Ariana Grande]**

Baby, tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

So tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

**[Verse 2: Ariana Grande]**

I could call bullshit all from a mile away (Don't say)

You want me if you can't keep comin' back for me

I'd have to curve you if you just can't talk straight (Just say)

Say what you mean 'cause you might get it

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

'Cause I see you tryin', subliminally tryin'

To see if I'm gon' be the one to sing along

I admit it's exciting, parts of me gonna like it

But before I lead you on

**[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Doja Cat]**

Tell me, what's your motive?

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

So tell me, what's your motive?

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ayy, yeah, yeah, ayy, ah)

**[Verse 3: Doja Cat]**

You treat me like gold, baby

Now you wanna spoil me

Did you want a trophy or you wanna spoil me, baby?

Want me on your neck 'cause you wanted respect

'Cause you fightin' some war, baby

Well, I had to bring the fists out, had to put a wall up

I don't trust phonies, baby (Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)

You gotta tell me, what's your motive, baby?

'Cause you got your candy (Yeah) on your arm (Yeah)

No need to sugar coat our lies (Yeah)

Say what you want, I need it, I'm a bonafide G (Come on)

Can you promise me you'll bring it all tonight? (Give it to me)

'Cause I need you to be wise

Tell me everything that's on your mind, come on

**[Chorus: Ariana Grande & Doja Cat]**

Baby, tell me what's your motive? (Tell me, baby)

What's your motive? (What's your motive?)

What's your motive? (What's your motive?, ah)

Said tell me, what's your motive? (Better tell me, baby)

What's your motive? (What's your motive?; Better tell me, baby)

What's your motive? (Yeah, ayy, ah)

## Navigation

 Released

## General information

### Writers

Y/N, Ariana Grande, Nija Charles, Victoria Monét, James McIntyre, Shane Lindstrom, Tommy Brown, Steven Franks

### Producers

Murda Beatz, TBHits, Mr. Franks, Joseph L'Étranger

"**Motive**" (stylized in all lower case; originally titled **Motivate**) is the fifteenth track from Y/N's fifth studio album, *咲く花 (Blooming Flower)*. It was released on June 5, 2024 through Republic Records and Dream Records. ( listen) (If you want to download the music video press here.)

## Background

In 2023, Y/N revealed that Motive had a unreleased verse that she was planning on releasing. Y/N also revealed that she re-recorded the song and removed Doja’ verse and put the unreleased verse there.

## Chart performance

On the week ending June 18, 2024, the song debuted at number ?? on the US *Billboard*Hot 100.

## Trivia

* A Visualizer of Y/N lip-syncing to Motive during the Positions’s album photoshoot were recorded released.

## Lyrics

**[Intro]**

Mu-Mu-Mu-Murda

**[Verse 1]**

Tell me why I get this feeling

That you really wanna turn me on

Tell me why I get this feeling

That you really wanna make me yours, ah

**[Pre-Chorus]**

'Cause I see you tryin', subliminally tryin'

To see if I'm gon' be the one to sing along

I admit it's exciting, parts of me gonna like it

But before I lead you on

**[Chorus]**

Baby, tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

So tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

**[Verse 2]**

I could call bullshit all from a mile away (Don't say)

You want me if you can't keep comin' back for me

I'd have to curve you if you just can't talk straight (Just say)

Say what you mean 'cause you might get it

**[Pre-Chorus]**

'Cause I see you tryin', subliminally tryin'

To see if I'm gon' be the one to sing along

I admit it's exciting, parts of me gonna like it

But before I lead you on

**[Chorus]**

Baby, tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

So tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

**[Verse 3]**

Said it's M-A-D-O-N-N-A

I need the guys to get away

[?]

No matter what the people say

[?]

Even though that you lied (You lie)

Even though that you hold me (You hold me)

Ain't it something you mine? (You know)

[?] told me

[?] ain’t [?] doubt in my mind (You don't)

It ain't nothing you mine (Yeah)

It ain't nothing you told me

And before I lead you down, gonna, wanna, [?]

**[Pre-Chorus]**

I admit it's exciting, parts of me gonna like it

But before I lead you on

**[Chorus]**

Baby, tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

So tell me, what's your motive? (Motive)

What's your motive?

What's your motive? (Ah)

## Navigation

 Released