Chart-topping pop singer Ariana Grande released a new single this week that can only be described as bizarre.
In the explicit new track titled “God Is A Woman,” she argues that having sex with a woman will make you believe that God is in fact, a woman.
Grande released the song a week in advance, much to the surprise of her fans, after teasing the lyrics on Twitter Wednesday.
The song has already caused a mass reaction, with many of Grande’s fans celebrating the sacrilegious lyrics as an anthem of women’s empowerment, and publications praising the sultry tune.
GOD IS A WOMAN IS THE BEST SONG IVE EVER HEARD OH MY GOD ARIANA GRANDE INVENTED MUSIC AJDKDKDJS
— Anthony Gargiula (@AnthonyGargiula) July 13, 2018
God is a woman more like @ArianaGrande is God 😍🙏🏼
— Hayley Williams (@hayleywi11iams) July 13, 2018
Ariana Grande's latest single is a certified bop. https://t.co/ZJiJXBO5Kl
— HuffPost (@HuffPost) July 13, 2018
You've got to hear this new Ariana Grande track! #GodIsAWomanhttps://t.co/ebCxB21zCp
— HollywoodLife (@HollywoodLife) July 13, 2018
On June 25, Grande had announced via Twitter that she would be releasing her second single from her upcoming album, describing the track as “sexual female empowerment & how women are literally everything & the universe is inside of us.”
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1011263488268951552
Grande argues that it is not intelligence, strength, determination or even love that empowers women — just sex.
Yes, you read that right.
Ariana Grande believes the single most empowering thing a woman can do for herself is to have sex.
When a fan on Twitter questioned the song’s alleged deeper meaning about empowerment, Grande replied, “sex is empowering. it’s the source of all life.” She then used a vulgarity to refer to a female body part as a “privilege.”
In an interview with Elle magazine, deputy editor Katie Connor spoke with Grande about her new single.
Connor shared that when she first heard the song title she figured it would be a “be a feel-good Women’s-March–y anthem, something along the lines of Katy Perry’s ‘Roar’ set to an R&B beat.”
But Connor could not have been more off.
“I hear it a few weeks later. Hoo boy, was I wrong,” Connor said. “Let’s just say it’s more about taking agency in the bedroom than at the office.”
A Song That Mocks God
Not only does Grande sing that “when we’re done, you’ll believe God is a woman,” but she insinuates that she herself is a God due to her sexual performance.
So far, there have been few negative reactions to Grande’s song, while publications across the country are praising her.
Forbes called “God Is A Woman” the song of the summer, while USA Today hailed it as “a dreamy song that combines spirituality and sexuality.”
Grande’s fiance, Pete Davidson, called the song “adorable” — an odd choice of adjective considering the lyrics and beats.
It’s hardly surprising that modern culture would praise a song degrading to both God and women.
What is surprising, however, is that culture still deems this type of content edgy when similar messages can be found in countless other tracks by countless other performers.
There seems to be little focus in the new album on traits that traditionally build women up, like virtue, intelligence, and meaningful and healthy relationships. Instead, however, celebrities like Grande, who broadcast their commitment to “feminism” and women’s rights while actively disrespecting women everywhere. Her new song isn’t unique, brave or empowering.