"True Story" is a song by American singer-songwriter Ariana Grande from her seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine (2024). It was released on March 8, 2024, through Republic Records, as the seventh track from the album. It was written and produced by Grande and Max Martin, with Ilya receiving production credits as well. An a cappella version was included on the "Slightly Deluxe" edition of Eternal Sunshine. However, this version is not included on the "Slight Deluxe and Also Live" version of the album, being replaced by the remix of "The Boy Is Mine" with Brandy and Monica.
Composition
"True Story" is two minutes and 43 seconds long.[1] The song is described by Grande to be "an untrue story based on all untrue events" and features writing and production from Max Martin.[2] Sonically, it's a slinky, "solid R&B bounce"[3] featuring a catchy, "candy floss" chorus,[4] metal bass lines,[5] and some elements of G-funk in its instrumentation.[6] Lyrically, the song has Grande being self-referential to the image the media and tabloids put upon her regarding stories about her personal and dating life.[6] In the album's track list, the song is intended by Grande to set up and precede "The Boy Is Mine", letting her play the "bad girl".[7][8]
Critical reception
Upon release, the song received positive reviews from music critics. Kyle Denis of Billboard ranked the song at number one, in a ranking of the album. In the ranking, Denis called the song "the smartest song Grande has ever made", noting the self-awareness in its lyrics and its similarities of "the 90s pop & R&B bounce" of "Fantasize".[3] Nick Levine, a writer at NME deemed the song an album highlight, calling it "cleverly self-referential" and applauding Grande's vocal performance over the "G-funk" inspired beat.[6] In a review of the parent album, Rolling Stone likened the song to something created by Timbaland for American singer Aaliyah.[9]
^Brown, Helen (March 8, 2024). "Ariana Grande, Eternal Sunshine review: Clues and confessions bubble up from the slow-fizz pop". The Independent. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024. The solid R&B; bounce of "True Story" sees her apparently addressing Jay's version of events: "I'll play the villain if you want me to… I'll play the bad girl if it makes you feel better." But its candyfloss chorus, which makes breezy use of Grande's effortless whistle register, finds her hitting back and sighing that's not what she wants.
