Honestly, music history is full of "comeback" tracks. Most of them are just loud, shiny distractions. But then there’s no tears left to cry, the lead single from Ariana Grande’s 2018 album Sweetener. It didn't just climb the charts; it basically redefined how a pop star handles unimaginable trauma in the public eye.
When it dropped, everyone expected a ballad. People wanted a "Praying" moment—something slow, heavy, and drenched in the sorrow of the Manchester Arena bombing. Instead, Ariana gave us a UK garage-inspired beat that felt like a deep breath after a long panic attack.
It was a total curveball.
The Night Everything Changed (and the Song That Followed)
To understand why this track is so heavy, you've gotta remember where Ariana was mentally. After May 2017, she went dark. She stayed with family. She didn't want to record. The emotional weight of the Manchester attack, where 22 people lost their lives, was something no 24-year-old is prepared to carry.
When she finally got back into the studio with Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, she was clear about one thing: she didn't want to dwell on the darkness. She told them she wanted to talk about love and positivity. The lyrics "ain't got no tears in my body / i ran out, but boy i like it" aren't just catchy. They’re a literal description of emotional exhaustion turning into a choice to survive.
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Interestingly, the song starts with a slow, melodic intro that tricks you into thinking you're getting that somber ballad. Then, the beat drops. It's a shift from 4/4 time into a syncopated rhythm that feels like someone finally getting their heart rate under control.
That Mind-Bending Music Video
If the song sounds like finding your footing, the video looks like trying to find the floor. Directed by Dave Meyers, the visuals for no tears left to cry are famous for that "Inception-style" disorientation.
They didn't just use green screens for everything, either. To get those shots of Ariana walking on the walls and ceiling, they actually built a massive spinning hallway. The camera moved with the room while she stayed "upright," creating that eerie, gravity-defying effect.
- The Manchester Bee: At the very end of the video, a small bee flies toward the camera. It’s a subtle, heartbreaking nod to the worker bee symbol of Manchester.
- The Disorientation: Meyers said the goal was to represent the "complexities and disillusionment" of the world after a tragedy.
- The Fashion: The grey hair and the voluminous gowns marked a huge departure from the "Dangerous Woman" latex ears era.
Breaking Records Like It’s Nothing
Ariana has always been a chart monster, but this release was special. It debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100. By doing that, she became the first artist in history to have the lead single from each of her first four albums debut in the top ten.
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Think about that. Consistency at that level is rare.
In the UK, it peaked at number two, and it hit number one in countries like Australia and Norway. Fast forward to 2026, and the song has officially crossed the 1.5 billion stream mark on Spotify. It's her 10th song to reach that milestone. People aren't just listening to it for nostalgia; it’s become a staple in "resilience" playlists across the globe.
Why the Production Still Sounds Fresh
Max Martin is a legend, but Ilya Salmanzadeh really brought the "weirdness" that made this track stick. They used different keys for the verses and the chorus, which is part of why it feels a bit "off" in a good way. It keeps your brain engaged.
Savan Kotecha, who co-wrote it, mentioned they kept the lyrics simple on purpose. Since the music itself was so complex with its chord shifts and garage-influenced percussion, they wanted the message to be "digestible."
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You don't need a PhD in music theory to feel the relief when she hits that high note in the bridge. It’s pure catharsis.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a common misconception that the song is "fake happy." Some critics initially thought it was a bit too "pop-tastic" for the subject matter. But if you look at Ariana’s later work, especially on thank u, next, you see that this was the start of her "healing out loud" phase.
She wasn't pretending the pain was gone. She was just saying she was done letting it drown her.
How to Apply the "Sweetener" Mentality
If you're looking for a takeaway from this era of Ariana's career, it’s basically about the power of the "pivot." She could have leaned into the "victim" narrative—and nobody would have blamed her. Instead, she pivoted toward light.
- Acknowledge the weight: The song doesn't ignore the "rainin' down," it just chooses to come out anyway.
- Change the scenery: Just like the video's rotating rooms, sometimes you have to change your perspective to find the "ground" again.
- Focus on the "Mentality": She explicitly sings about being on "another mentality." It’s a conscious decision to move forward.
If you want to dive deeper into the technical side of her vocals, try listening to the "No Tears Left to Cry" acapella version. You can hear the layers of her own harmonies—there are dozens of them stacked to create that "choir" effect in the chorus. It’s a masterclass in vocal production that still stands up years later.
Next Steps for You:
Listen to the transition from the "No Tears" intro to the first verse again, but this time, pay attention to the bassline. It’s a classic UK Garage shuffle that most US pop songs at the time were too afraid to touch. If you’re a creator, use that as inspiration to take a risk with your next project’s "vibe" even if it doesn't match the "expected" tone of the subject matter.