[Ariana Grande (Nicki Minaj):]
I’ve been here all night (Ariana)
I’ve been here all day (Nicki Minaj)
And boy, got me walkin’ side to side (Let them hoes know)
[Ariana Grande:]
I’m talkin’ to ya
See you standing over there with your body
Feeling like I wanna rock with your body
And we don’t gotta think ’bout nothin’ (‘Bout nothin’)
I’m comin’ at ya
‘Cause I know you got a bad reputation
Doesn’t matter, ’cause you give me temptation
And we don’t gotta think ’bout nothin’ (‘Bout nothin’)
These friends keep talkin’ way too much
Say I should give you up
Can’t hear them, no, ’cause I
I’ve been here all night
I’ve been here all day
And boy, got me walkin’ side to side
I’ve been here all night
I’ve been here all day
And boy, got me walkin’ side to side (Side to side)
Been tryna hide it
Baby, what’s it gonna hurt if they don’t know?
Makin’ everybody think that we solo
Just as long as you know you got me (You got me)
And boy, I got ya
‘Cause tonight I’m making deals with the devil
And I know it’s gonna get me in trouble
Just as long as you know you got me
These friends keep talkin’ way too much
Say I should give you up
Can’t hear them, no, ’cause I
I’ve been here all night
I’ve been here all day
And boy, got me walkin’ side to side (Side to side)
I’ve been here all night (Been here all night, baby)
I’ve been here all day (Been here all day, baby)
And boy, got me walkin’ side to side (Side to side)
[Nicki Minaj:]
Uh, yo
This the new style with the fresh type of flow
Wrist icicle, ride dick bicycle
Come through yo, get you this type of blow
If you want a ménage, I got a tricycle
All these bitches’ flows is my mini-me
Body smoking, so they call me Young Nicki Chimney
Rappers in they feelings ’cause they feelin’ me (Murder)
Uh, I-I give zero fucks and I got zero chill in me
Kissing me, copped the blue box that say Tiffany
Curry with the shot, just tell ’em to call me Stephanie
Gun pop, then I make my gum pop
I’m the queen of rap, young Ariana run pop, uh
[Ariana Grande:]
These friends keep talkin’ way too much (Way too much)
Say I should give him up (Give him up)
Can’t hear them, no, ’cause I
I’ve been here all night (Been here all night, baby)
I’ve been here all day (Been here all night, baby)
And boy (Boy), got me walkin’ side to side (Side to side)
I’ve been here all night (Been here all night, baby)
I’ve been here all day (Been here all day, baby) (Ooh, baby)
And boy (No), got me walkin’ side to side (Side to side)
(Yeah-eh, yeah, yeah, yeah)
[Nicki Minaj (Ariana Grande):]
Uh, yo
This the new style with the fresh type of flow (Nah, nah, baby)
Wrist icicle, ride dick bicycle
Come through yo, get you this type of blow
If you want a ménage, I got a tricycle (No, eh, hey, eh, eh)
Empowerment and Desire: Breaking Down “Side To Side”
“Side To Side” by Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj is a playful and confident anthem about desire, temptation, and the thrill of forbidden romance. Ariana sings about being drawn to someone with a wild reputation, dismissing the opinions of others and embracing her attraction. The repeated phrase “walkin’ side to side” cleverly hints at the physical effects of passion and spending time with a lover, while Nicki Minaj’s fierce verse adds a layer of boldness and self-assurance. The song celebrates owning one’s choices and the fun of not caring what others think, all wrapped in a catchy reggae-pop beat.
Song Credits
- Artists: Ariana Grande feat. Nicki Minaj
- Songwriters: Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, Nicki Minaj, Ilya Salmanzadeh
- Release Year: 2016
- Label: Republic Records