Problem

"Problem" by Ariana Grande, featuring Iggy Azalea, is a song that delves into the complex and often contradictory emotions of ending a bad relationship. Lyrically, Grande has explained that the song is about "the feeling of being absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour – but you want to more than anything." It captures the internal battle between the logical mind, which knows that breaking up is the right decision, and the heart, which still feels a strong pull towards the person. The central theme revolves around the liberation and relief that comes from removing a toxic person from one's life, encapsulated in the recurring hook, "I got one less, one less problem." While the verses express the struggle and the lingering desire ("even though I hate ya, I wanna love ya"), the chorus serves as a powerful affirmation of self-worth and independence. It suggests that despite the difficulty of letting go, life becomes demonstrably simpler and better without the source of the turmoil. The song portrays a universal experience of post-breakup conflict, where freedom feels both exhilarating and frightening.

The song narrates the internal conflict of a young woman grappling with the aftermath of a toxic relationship. She is caught in a push-and-pull dynamic, acknowledging the pain and frustration the person has caused her, yet still feeling an irresistible pull towards them. The lyrics open with this very contradiction: "Hey, baby even though I hate ya, I wanna love ya." This sets the stage for a story of emotional turmoil, where logic and desire are at odds. She knows she should move on and can't forgive the past, but the magnetic attraction remains a powerful force. The pre-chorus, with lines like "Head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders," introduces a sense of liberation and relief. This is the feeling she experiences when she imagines a life free from the drama and emotional baggage of the relationship. It's a moment of clarity where she realizes her own well-being and wisdom should take precedence.

The chorus is the song's ultimate declaration of independence and the central theme of the track. The repeated phrase, whispered by Big Sean, "I got one less problem without ya," serves as a powerful, self-affirming mantra. It's the logical conclusion she reaches, the resolution to her internal debate. This repeated line reinforces the idea that despite any lingering feelings, her life is quantifiably better and less complicated without her former partner. It's a triumphant statement of self-worth and moving forward. The second verse delves deeper into her struggle, admitting her weakness for this person. She knows she shouldn't answer their calls or let them back into her life, recognizing it as a recurring, destructive pattern. Yet, she confesses, "Every time you touch me and say you love me, I get a little bit breathless." This highlights the physical and emotional hold the person still has over her, making it incredibly difficult to break free completely.

Iggy Azalea's rap verse provides an external, assertive voice that reinforces the song's message of empowerment. She acts as the supportive friend, offering a no-nonsense perspective. Lines like "Smart money bettin', I'll be better off without you" and "In no time, I'll be forgettin' all about you" are direct and dismissive of the ex's power. She points out the ex's insincerity ("You saying that you know, but I really really doubt you") and emphasizes how much easier life is without the stress he brings. The rap culminates in a clever reference to a famous Jay-Z track with the line, "I got 99 problems but you won't be one," definitively putting the ex in his place and solidifying the theme of leaving the "problem" behind. The song's structure, moving from Grande's conflicted verses to the definitive, whispered chorus and Azalea's sharp rap, mirrors the journey from emotional confusion to empowered resolution.

"Problem" was released on April 28, 2014, as the lead single from Ariana Grande's second studio album, My Everything. The track was written by a powerhouse team including Grande, Iggy Azalea (Amethyst Kelly), Savan Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Max Martin, with production handled by Martin, Shellback, and Ilya. Savan Kotecha conceived the whisper hook, "One less problem without you," inspired by a Cosmopolitan article, and initially gave the track the working title "The Whisper Song."

The collaboration with Iggy Azalea was something Grande had wanted for a while, seeing her as the perfect fit for a "girl-power duo" on the track. Azalea wrote her own verse with Max Martin's assistance. The whispered hook in the chorus is performed by Big Sean, who was uncredited on the official track listing but had previously collaborated with Grande. Initially, Grande wasn't sure about the song and even considered leaving it off the album due to its unconventional structure—a powerful, belted verse leading into a minimalistic, whispered chorus. However, after playing it for her management and record label, she realized its potential and decided to keep it. The song was recorded in 2013 at Conway Studios in Los Angeles and Wolf Cousins Studios in Stockholm.

The central metaphor in "Problem" is the title itself, where the ex-partner is explicitly and repeatedly referred to as a "problem." This isn't a nuanced, hidden metaphor but a direct and powerful statement of the song's theme. By reducing the source of her emotional conflict to a single, solvable issue, the lyrics frame the breakup as a logical step towards a better, less complicated life. The recurring phrase "I got one less problem without ya" functions as a mantra of self-liberation.

The lyric "Head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulders" serves as a potent metaphor for the feeling of freedom and relief she experiences post-breakup. It symbolizes the lifting of an emotional burden, the stress and responsibility that came with the toxic relationship. Iggy Azalea's rap verse builds on this by referencing the Jay-Z classic "99 Problems," with the line "I got 99 problems but you won't be one." This is both a clever pop culture allusion and a symbolic dismissal, signifying that out of all of life's potential issues, the ex-partner will no longer be counted among them.

The emotional landscape of "Problem" is a complex mix of defiance, confidence, and underlying vulnerability. The predominant tone is one of empowerment and jubilant release. This is conveyed through the song's upbeat tempo, the bold saxophone riff, and the triumphant declaration of the chorus. However, this confidence is tempered by the lyrical content of the verses, where Grande admits to her struggle and lingering feelings for her ex. She describes being "absolutely terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour," which introduces a layer of tension and emotional honesty. This creates a dynamic emotional journey for the listener, moving from the relatable conflict and heartache of the verses to the cathartic, self-assured joy of the chorus. Iggy Azalea's verse amplifies the song's defiant and confident side, tipping the overall emotional balance towards strength and resolution.

"Problem" was a massive commercial success that cemented Ariana Grande's status as a global pop superstar. Upon its release, it made history by becoming one of the fastest #1 debuts ever on iTunes, reaching the top spot in under 40 minutes. The song debuted at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 with 438,000 first-week sales and later peaked at number two. It remained in the top ten for 16 consecutive weeks. In the UK, it was the first single to top the charts based on a combination of both sales and streaming data. The song won "Best Pop Video" at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and "Best Song" at the 2014 MTV Europe Music Awards. The 1960s-inspired music video, directed by Nev Todorovic, has amassed over 1.4 billion views on YouTube. The song was a lead single from the multi-platinum album My Everything and was one of four top-10 hits for Grande in 2014, making her the only artist to achieve this that year. Its success demonstrated Grande's ability to blend pop with R&B and funk influences, a sound that would continue to shape her artistic identity.

"Problem" is characterized by its upbeat, danceable rhythm, set at a tempo of approximately 103 beats per minute. The song's foundation is a strong drum beat combined with a driving saxophone riff, creating a feel that is both funky and firmly rooted in pop. The interplay between the rhythmic, percussive nature of the verses and the sparser, whisper-led chorus creates a dynamic sonic landscape. The lyrical rhythm in Grande's verses often follows the melodic contour closely, with a conversational flow that builds into the more emphatic pre-chorus. Iggy Azalea's rap verse employs a more complex rhythmic flow with internal rhymes and a steady cadence. A clear example of her rhyming is: "Smart money bettin', I'll be better off without you / In no time, I'll be forgettin' all about you." She also uses couplets like, "Either you want it or you just playin' / I'm listenin' to you knowin' I can't believe what you're sayin'." This creates a satisfying, flowing structure within her section that contrasts with the sung melodies.

Musically, "Problem" is a high-energy, uptempo blend of dance-pop and R&B, with notable influences from 90s R&B, funk, and jazz. Its most distinctive feature is the prominent saxophone loop, performed by Leon Silva, which drives the track and gives it a retro, funky vibe. The song's structure is unconventional, deliberately subverting pop norms by featuring loud, belted verses that contrast sharply with a minimalistic, whispered chorus. This dynamic choice, initially a point of concern for Grande, creates a unique tension and release, making the hook more memorable. Ariana Grande's vocal performance showcases her range, moving from powerful belts in the verses to a more breathless, vulnerable delivery. The inclusion of Iggy Azalea's rap verse adds another stylistic layer, providing a confident and assertive counterpoint to Grande's more conflicted perspective. Big Sean's whispered, uncredited vocals on the chorus hook are another key stylistic element, creating an intimate and catchy motif that became one of the song's signatures.

What is the song 'Problem' by Ariana Grande about?

'Problem' is about the conflicting feeling of wanting to get back into a relationship that you know is bad for you. Ariana Grande described it as being 'terrified to re-approach a relationship that's gone sour — but you want to more than anything.' The core message is realizing you're better off and have 'one less problem' without that person.

Who is the whisper voice in Ariana Grande's 'Problem'?

The uncredited whisper vocals on the chorus hook, 'I got one less problem without ya,' are performed by American rapper Big Sean. He had previously collaborated with Grande on her song 'Right There' and also appears in the music video for 'Problem'.

When was 'Problem' by Ariana Grande released?

'Problem' was released on April 28, 2014. It served as the lead single from her second studio album, 'My Everything'.

Who wrote the song 'Problem'?

The song was co-written by Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea (Amethyst Kelly), Savan Kotecha, Ilya Salmanzadeh, and Max Martin. The production was handled by Max Martin, Shellback, and Ilya.

What genres does 'Problem' by Ariana Grande fall into?

'Problem' is primarily a dance-pop and R&B song. It incorporates strong elements of funk music, 90s R&B, and jazz, which is most notable in its prominent use of a saxophone riff, drums, and trumpets.

What is the meaning behind Iggy Azalea's '99 problems' line?

In her rap verse, Iggy Azalea says, 'I got 99 problems but you won't be one.' This is a direct reference to the famous 2004 song '99 Problems' by Jay-Z, where the hook is 'I got 99 problems but a b*tch ain't one.' Azalea cleverly flips the line to dismiss the ex-boyfriend as a problem she no longer has to deal with.

What instrument is featured so prominently in 'Problem'?

The memorable and catchy riff that drives the song is played on a saxophone. The part was performed by musician Leon Silva and is a key component of the track's funky, retro-inspired sound.