The Story Behind 'Thank U, Next' Memes and Trends

The Viral Sensation of Ariana Grande's 'Thank U, Next'

Ariana Grande's hit song 'Thank U, Next' has become a cultural phenomenon, spawning numerous memes and trends across social media platforms. The song's lyrics, which detail Grande's experiences with past relationships and exes, struck a chord with listeners and sparked a wave of creativity.

'One Taught Me Love, One Taught Me Patience, and One Taught Me Pain'

One of the most popular memes emerged from the pre-chorus lyrics: 'One taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain.' Twitter users began sharing three images representing individuals or characters who taught them these valuable lessons, often using pop culture references for a humorous twist.

Examples and Variations

• The male leads from Mamma Mia! 2
• Characters from Shrek films
• Characters from TV shows like The Office, Gossip Girl, Sex and the City, and Friends

The 'Her Name is Ari/Aubrey' Misheard Lyric

Another viral meme stemmed from a misheard lyric in the song. When Grande sings, 'But this one gon' last / 'Cause her name is Ari,' referring to herself, many fans misheard it as 'her name is Aubrey,' implying a same-sex relationship. This led to jokes and memes about Grande entering a fictional relationship with someone named Aubrey.

Misheard Lyric Shenanigans

• Apple Music initially provided the misheard lyric on their streaming service
• Grande clarified on Twitter that she was referring to herself
• The Jenners mocked their inability to understand the lyric in a meme

Kris Jenner's Appearance in the Music Video

When the 'Thank U, Next' music video was released, Kris Jenner's cameo as a Mean Girls character garnered attention and sparked further memes. Social media users compared her appearance to the popular 'You're Doing Amazing' meme, adding to the viral success of the song and its associated content.

The Impact of 'Thank U, Next'

From its release on November 3rd, 2018, to the present day, 'Thank U, Next' has maintained its cultural relevance and influence, with memes and trends continuing to emerge. The song's message of self-love and moving on from past relationships resonated with listeners, making it a standout hit and a breeding ground for viral content.