Best Mistake

"Best Mistake" delves into the complex and often contradictory emotions of being in a flawed but deeply cherished relationship. The song's central theme is the acceptance of a love that defies logic. The lyrics portray a couple stuck in a cycle of breaking up and making up, a situation the narrator consciously labels a "total waste of time." However, this logical assessment is overshadowed by a powerful emotional attachment. The phrase "you're the best mistake I've ever made" serves as the core thesis, encapsulating the idea that some experiences, even if they are imperfect or destined to fail, are worth having because of the genuine feelings and connection involved. The song explores the vulnerability and hope inherent in such a bond, acknowledging that their pursuit may not lead to a perfect ending ("There's no pot of gold in the rainbows we chase") but choosing to "hold on" regardless. It’s a mature reflection on love's gray areas, where right and wrong are blurred, and the value of a relationship is measured by its emotional impact rather than its stability or outcome.

The song narrates the story of a couple caught in a turbulent and cyclical relationship. The protagonist reflects on the emotional rollercoaster they've been on, acknowledging a pattern of breaking up only to make up again, which feels like a significant waste of time. There's a deep awareness of the relationship's instability and the unresolved emotions that linger between them. They are both active participants in this game of love, playing the hand they were dealt, and she admits that perhaps they are equally to blame for their problems. Despite the constant back-and-forth and the logical conclusion that it might be healthier to part ways, there's an unbreakable pull. The core conflict lies in this very paradox: the relationship is logically a 'mistake,' filled with issues and uncertainty about the future. Yet, the emotional connection and the depth of feeling are so profound that it's a mistake she cherishes above all others, unwilling to let it go. It's a conscious decision to 'hold on' even when they know they are chasing a dream, like a rainbow, that may not have a tangible reward or a 'pot of gold' at the end.

The featured artist, Big Sean, offers his perspective, echoing the themes of complexity and deep connection. He questions how they can preserve the freshness of their feelings, using the metaphor of trying to 'Ziploc' their love to keep it from spoiling. He delves into the history of their bond, noting that starting as friends makes it incredibly difficult to ever fully walk away. His verse is a candid admission of their imperfections as a couple, calling them the 'oddest couple' and acknowledging his own faults and temper. He expresses a desire for her happiness and dreams of a future with a family tree. He elevates her to the status of a 'goddess' while grounding their relationship in the reality of being human. He concludes with the powerful acknowledgment that even if he isn't 'the one' for her in the grand scheme of things, their time together represents the 'best mistake' she's ever had, reinforcing the song's central theme of finding profound value in a perfectly imperfect love.

"Best Mistake" was written by Ariana Grande, Sean Anderson (Big Sean), and Dwane Weir II, who is professionally known as Key Wane. Key Wane also handled the production, programming, and instrumentation for the track. The song was recorded in 2014 at DOE Studios in Los Angeles, California. Vocal production was managed by Curtis "Sauce" Wilson, and Big Sean's vocals were engineered by Gregg Rominiecki. The track was mixed by Serban Ghenea and mastered by Aya Merrill and Tom Coyne. Grande first confirmed the song's title on June 28, 2014, and released a 15-second snippet on her Instagram on July 8, 2014. It was officially released as a promotional single on August 12, 2014, for those who pre-ordered her second studio album, "My Everything". The release fueled media and public speculation about the romantic relationship between Grande and Big Sean at the time. Grande has stated that "Best Mistake" was her favorite track on the album, expressing deep admiration for Big Sean's writing on the song in particular.

The rhyme scheme in "Best Mistake" is relatively straightforward, typical of pop and R&B ballads, often using AABB or ABCB patterns within its verses to create a smooth, lyrical flow. For instance, in the first verse, "felt" and "dealt" create a perfect rhyme that provides a sense of cohesion. The song relies heavily on end rhymes to structure its lyrical phrases.

Rhythmically, the song is a slow-tempo ballad. The foundation is a deliberate and steady hip-hop influenced beat from a drum machine, which provides a modern framework for the classical feel of the piano melody. Ariana Grande's vocal rhythm is fluid and melodic, often syncopated against the beat, which adds to the emotional, heartfelt delivery. This contrasts with Big Sean's verse, where the rhythm becomes more complex and percussive. His rap flow is characterized by a conversational cadence with intricate internal rhymes and rhythmic variations that add texture and a different energy to the track. The interplay between Grande's legato, sung phrases and Sean's staccato, spoken-word rhythm is a key component of the song's dynamic structure.

"Best Mistake" employs a combination of musical and literary techniques to create its intimate and melancholic atmosphere.

Musical Techniques:

• Minimalist Production: The song is built on a sparse arrangement featuring a prominent, somber piano line, subtle strings, and a minimal hip-hop drum machine beat. This stripped-down production, credited to Key Wane, allows the vocals and lyrical content to be the central focus, enhancing the song's introspective feel.
• Vocal Delivery: Ariana Grande utilizes a restrained, breathy, and gentle vocal style, primarily staying in her lower and mid-range. This is a departure from the powerful belts she is known for and contributes to the track's moody and mature tone. Big Sean's rap verse provides a stylistic contrast with his rhythmic, conversational flow, offering a different perspective within the same emotional landscape.
• Harmonic Language: The song uses a simple, repetitive chord progression that creates a hypnotic and slightly somber mood, reflecting the cyclical nature of the relationship described in the lyrics.

Literary Techniques:

• Oxymoron: The title and central hook, "Best Mistake," is a clear oxymoron that captures the song's core theme of finding value in a flawed situation.
• Repetition: The recurring phrase "hold on, hold on" emphasizes the couple's conscious decision to persevere despite the difficulties. The repetition of "You're, you're, you're, you're" leading into the chorus builds anticipation and reinforces the focus on her partner.
• Rhetorical Questions: The lyrics contain questions like "Why we pointing fingers, anyway? When we're the same?" which serve to highlight the couple's shared responsibility and the futility of blame.

"Best Mistake" was released as a promotional single from Ariana Grande's highly successful second studio album, "My Everything" (2014). Upon its release, the song achieved significant commercial success, debuting at number six on the US Billboard Digital Songs chart with 104,000 downloads in its first week. This achievement made Grande the first female artist to have three songs in that chart's top ten simultaneously, following Michael Jackson. The song peaked at number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and charted in numerous other countries, including Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe. Critically, the song was generally well-received for its mature sound and a departure from Grande's more upbeat pop singles, with many critics praising the minimalist production and her restrained vocal performance. The collaboration itself drew considerable attention due to the ongoing rumors of a real-life romance between Grande and Big Sean, adding a layer of public intrigue to the song's lyrical content. The song was performed live by the duo on several occasions, including at the iHeartRadio theater and during "A Very Grammy Christmas" in 2014.

The song's primary metaphor is encapsulated in its title, "Best Mistake." This oxymoronic phrase symbolizes a relationship that is understood to be flawed, problematic, or logically unsound, yet is cherished for the happiness and emotional depth it provides. It represents the choice to embrace an imperfect love because the positive aspects outweigh the rational arguments against it.

• Chasing Rainbows: The lyric, "There's no pot of gold in the rainbows we chase," is a powerful metaphor for their relationship's uncertain future. It signifies that they are aware that their pursuit might be futile and may not lead to a fairytale ending, but they find value and beauty in the chase itself.
• Ziploc It: In his verse, Big Sean asks, "How can we keep the feelings fresh? How do we Ziploc it?" This metaphor humorously and poignantly illustrates the desire to preserve the passion and excitement of a relationship, as one would preserve food, acknowledging the difficulty of preventing love from fading or becoming stale over time.
• Goddess Imagery: Big Sean refers to his partner as a "goddess," which juxtaposes her divine perfection in his eyes with the acknowledgment that they are "only human." This highlights the way people in love can idealize their partners, seeing them as flawless even while being fully aware of the messy, human reality of their relationship.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is its title and central hook: "'Cause you're the best mistake I've ever made." This line is repeated in each chorus and serves as the song's core message, encapsulating the entire theme of embracing a beautiful but flawed relationship. Its repetition drills home the central paradox that defines the couple's connection.

Another important recurring motif is the idea of a cyclical, unstable relationship, expressed in the line: "Break up, make up, total waste of time." This phrase appears in both Grande's verse and Big Sean's rap, highlighting that this on-again, off-again dynamic is a shared and acknowledged part of their history. It establishes the central conflict of the narrative—the awareness of the relationship's dysfunction.

The phrase "But we hold on, hold on" acts as a direct response to the acknowledgment of their problems. It's a recurring declaration of their commitment to persevere, repeated after each admission of the relationship's faults, such as calling it a "mistake" or acknowledging they're chasing rainbows with no "pot of gold." This repetition emphasizes their resilience and conscious choice to stay together.