[Ariana Grande (Pharrell):]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
I like the way you lick the bowl (You lick the bowl, sheesh)
Somehow your method touches (Sheesh!) my soul (Sheesh, touches my soul, yeah)
It lifts me up to heights unknown (Ayy, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener)
So when they ask, “How’s life?” (Sheesh!) I go (Sheesh!)
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
[Ariana Grande {Pharrell}:]
Your mama sent us horoscopes (Us horoscopes, {sheesh})
Had so much fun watching them unfold ({Sheesh}, watching them unfold, {yeah})
You said she like me, I smile {Ayy}, I know {Sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweetener}
So when they ask, “How’s life?” {Sheesh!} I go {Sheesh!}
[Ariana Grande (Pharrell):]
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Ayy, ooh, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Then you come through like the sweetener you are (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
And then we lay it back, talk the rest of the night
Things that we can light make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
Talking ’bout what you wanna do, whether it’s wrong or right
I am followin’ you ’cause you make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
(Hey) Said I don’t know what I’d do without you in my life (ayy), it’d be so sour (Sweetener, ayy)
I’m hoping that everybody can experience what we have in ours (Sweetener, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy, sweetener, ayy, ayy, ayy)
When life deals us cards (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy)
Make everything taste like it is salt (Sheesh, sheesh!)
Then you come through like the sweetener (Ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy, ayy) you are
To bring the bitter taste to a halt (Sheesh, sheesh!)
And then you get it, get it, get it, get it (Ayy)
Hit it, hit it, hit it, hit it (Ayy)
Flip it, flip it, flip it
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
Twist it, twist it, twist it, twist it
Mix it and mix it and mix it and mix it
Kiss it, kiss it, kiss it (Sweetener, sweetener, sweetener, sweet)
You make me say oh (Sheesh!), oh (Sheesh!)
You make me say oh, babe!
Hey, ayy, oh yeah
Finding Sweetness in Life’s Bitterness
“Sweetener” by Ariana Grande is a heartfelt ode to the transformative power of love. The song uses playful culinary metaphors—like turning salt to sweetness—to express how a special person can make even the toughest times bearable. Lines such as “you come through like the sweetener you are” highlight how love brings relief and joy in moments of hardship, offering emotional balance and happiness. The energetic, repetitive phrases and playful ad-libs mirror the uplifting feelings that come from being with someone who makes life better, while the references to daily rituals and personal connections add an intimate, relatable touch.
Song Credits
- Artist: Ariana Grande
- Songwriters: Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande
- Release Year: 2018
- Label: Republic Records