ordinary things

Album

Eternal Sunshine

Label

Republic Records

Genre

Rhythm & Blues

Entered Chart

Mar 23, 2024

Peak Date

Mar 23, 2024

Ariana Grande's Eternal Sunshine album concludes with "Ordinary Things," a track that celebrates finding magic in the mundane. Forget chasing dragons or scaling mountains for excitement – Grande revels in the simple joys shared with a loved one. It's a sentiment that hits home even harder after wading through the album's emotional turmoil. With a heartwarming twist, the album's exploration of love ends with the wisdom of the pop star's grandmother, Marjorie Grande (affectionately called Nonna). Her voice recording offers a direct answer to the question posed in the album's opening track: "How can I tell if I'm in the right relationship?" Grande explained to Apple Music's Zane Lowe that she captured Nonna's wisdom during a casual conversation. A simple line spoken by Nonna – "Never go to bed without kissing goodnight" – becomes a powerful message. It emphasizes the importance of small gestures and the significance of nurturing connection within a relationship. While the album explores the complexities of love, Nonna's reminder underscores the importance of cherishing the simple acts that solidify a bond. "Honestly, I didn't realize it until I found the voice note," said Grande. "I knew 'Ordinary Things' was the end of the album, I was like, 'This is the last song, but I wonder how I can put that button on it and have it land emotionally the way that I feel it can, and how can I answer the question?' I always record my Nonna when I'm with her because you never know what she's going to say, and she's the most hilarious person in the world. I had this 30-minute voice note of her and her friend, Shirley, talking. It was just right smack in the middle of it, and I said, 'Oh my God, that's the answer.'" Grande isn't alone in the creative kitchen for "Ordinary Things." She teamed up with Nick Lee and Luka Kloser to craft the song. Lee, a Juilliard-trained musician with a knack for catchy hooks, has already racked up Grammy nominations for his work on Lil Nas X's 2021 hit "Industry Baby." Kloser also boasts an impressive resumé, contributing to songs by Tate McRae and Benee. The song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at #42, making 98-year-old Marjorie "Nonna" Grande the oldest credited artist to appear on the chart. She surpassed the previous record held by Fred Stobaugh, who at 96 was featured on Green Shoe Studio's "Oh Sweet Lorraine," which peaked at #42 in 2013.

We could go pop all the champagne in California
We could have omakase in Tokyo if you wanna
Hypothetically we could do anything that we like
We could hit up all the slopes in matching snowsuits
We could hang out at the louvre all night if you want to
We could spend every dime
But I don't want anything but more time

No matter what we do
There's never gonna be an ordinary thing
No ordinary things with you
It's funny but it's true
There's never gonna be an ordinary thing
As long as I'm with you

You hit just like the first sip of wine after a long day
You hit like my biggest fan when I hear what the critiques say
You hit just like a green light when I'm stuck runnin' real late
I don't need no diamonds, just your time

No matter what we do
There's never gonna be an ordinary thing
No ordinary things with you
It's funny but it's true
There's never gonna be an ordinary thing
As long as I'm with you

Ordinary thing, ordinary things with you
Ordinary thing, as long as I'm with you

And when he'd come home and I'd see him, when he first gets off that train
It was like God almighty arrived
It was like seeing daylight
I mean, I could've packed up and left a million times, you know, it's not that we never fought
You can overcome that, you know? it-it's very easy, and as I told her
Never go to bed without kissin' goodnight
That's the worst thing to do, don't ever, ever do that
And if you can't, and if you don't feel comfortable doing it
You're in the wrong place, get out