Ariana Grande is a class act.
The pop star released her fourth studio album, Sweetener, today, August 17, and the final track acts as a moving tribute to the victims of last year’s Manchester bombing.
In fact, the song, called “Get Well Soon,” pays tribute to the attack’s 22 victims in a number of subtle ways. For starters, the track clocks in at 5:22, which is a clear nod to the bombing, since it occurred on May 22.
Furthermore, the song reaches its 5:22 run time thanks to 40 seconds of silence Ari added at the end of the tune as yet another way to honor those who lost their lives. The silence also provides fans with some time to reflect on those who died.
And even though “Get Well Soon” doesn’t mention the bombing explicitly, it does allude to the trauma Ariana grappled with after the attack, with lyrics such as: “Where are you? Are you home? Call me right on the phone / I’ll be there, yeah, I’ll be there, I’ll be there / I don’t care who is gone, you shouldn’t be alone.”
In an interview with Billboard, the 25-year-old singer revealed that she cried many times while writing this album, explaining, “There’s definitely some crying-on the-dance floor stuff on this one.”
The Sam & Cat alum added that she’s still having trouble processing the tragedy. “I guess I thought with time, and therapy, and writing, and pouring my heart out, and talking to my friends and family that it would be easier to talk about, but it’s still so hard to find the words,” she said.
In addition to hundreds of overwhelmingly positive fan reactions to the entire album, many of Ariana’s fans have also praised her for how she paid tribute to the Manchester bombing victims with “Get Well Soon.”
“The fact ariana honored the Manchester victims in get well soon allowing a moment of silence until it was 5 minutes 22 seconds long, I just don’t have the words right now,” one fan wrote. “She has my entire heart.”
We couldn’t have said it better.
For more Ariana Grande-esque music, click HERE to check out our list of 10 artists to listen to if you like Ari!