Released: 2019
“7 rings” by Ariana Grande is a brazen empowerment anthem that unabashedly embraces material wealth and self-determination. The song discusses Grande’s journey from overcoming strife to emerging as a financially empowered, independent woman who indulges in her own desires. It’s a modern-day manifestation of retail therapy intertwined with themes of self-confidence and resilience.
She starts with a reference to “breakfast at Tiffany’s”, an iconic symbol of luxury and romance from Truman Capote’s novella and the subsequent Audrey Hepburn film. To Ari, it signifies the ability to relish extravagance. The phrase “bottles of bubbles” streams into the narrative of splendor, aligning with the high-life that champagne often symbolizes.
The lyrics “girls with tattoos who like getting in trouble” drips a rebellious undertone, implying a fondness for rule-breaking femme fatales. Then, she flaunts her independence, stating, “buy myself all of my favorite things”. Ariana doesn’t wait for someone else to gratify her desires; she does it herself.
“Been through some bad shit, I should be a sad bitch / Who woulda thought it’d turn me to a savage?” Here, Ariana references her past struggles, but instead of lamenting, she morphs her adversities into strengthening experiences that shape her into a ‘savage’, a force to be reckoned with.
We see an unabashed indulgence in opulence in “My wrist, stop watchin’, my neck is flossy” which talks about her love for glistening jewelry. The repeated lines, “I want it, I got it” indicate her assertiveness, financial stability, and the ability to instantly gratify her desires.
“Wearing a ring, but ain’t gon’ be no “Mrs.””, asserts her stand on independence and autonomy. She’s not looking to settle down traditionally. The assertion is further amplified when she sings about buying diamonds for her female friends, prioritizing their happiness over conventional expectations.
“Happiness is the same price as red-bottoms” associates joy with material wealth, specifically Christian Louboutin shoes known for their red soles and expensive price tag. However, “My smile is beamin’, my skin is gleamin'” suggests an inner glow, a sense of contentment derived from embracing independence and wealth.
Finally, “Yeah, my receipts be lookin’ like phone numbers” and “Black card is my business card” emphasize her wealth, a testament to her hard work and success. “7 Rings” is a testament to a woman enjoying her hard-earned wealth, asserting her independence, and being unapologetic about it.
