Ariana Grande SNUBBED at the 2025 Grammy’s

Why Ariana Grande Deserved Album of the Year for Eternal Sunshine and Song of the Year for “We Can’t Be Friends”

It was obvious that we were seeing a turning point in Ariana Grande’s already remarkable career when she released Eternal Sunshine this year. The album seemed like the conclusion of everything Ariana had been working toward for more than ten years since it was full with sonic innovation, depth of emotion, and her trademark vocal prowess. However, Eternal Sunshine’s exclusion from the coveted Album of the Year (AOTY) category and “We Can’t Be Friends” from Song of the Year (SOTY) triggered contentious discussions among both fans and reviewers when the Grammy nominees were revealed. It feels like a huge oversight for an artist who has continuously pushed boundaries and redefined pop to have these absences.

Here’s why Eternal Sunshine and “We Can’t Be Friends” not only deserved nominations but could have easily walked away with wins.

The Case for Album of the Year: Eternal Sunshine

A Thematic Masterpiece 

Eternal Sunshine is fundamentally a celebration of fortitude, recovery, and self-love. Through heartache, introspection, and finally finding peace, the album’s narrative leads listeners on a journey. This is a story of rediscovering and the decision to accept life’s better moments in spite of lingering shadows; it is not just another breakup record. Ariana is unmatched in her ability to create a concept album that feels intensely personal yet has a worldwide appeal.

Given Ariana’s recent public journey, the themes of Eternal Sunshine seem particularly poignant. She uses her experiences—from dealing with personal grief to negotiating the demands of celebrity—to create a piece that does not merely tell a narrative; it lives it. The cinematic sensation created by songs like “eternal sunshine” and “dont wanna breakup again” is similar to turning through the different chapters of her life.

Sonic Brilliance 

Musically, Eternal Sunshine is Ariana at her most adventurous. The album blends her R&B roots with experimental production, orchestral arrangements, and even nods to jazz and neo-soul. Tracks like “imperfect for you” showcase her effortless vocal agility over dreamy, layered instrumentals, while “yes, and?” brings an infectious groove that demands movement. Ariana’s voice—a marvel in itself—becomes an instrument, weaving through intricate melodies and harmonies that highlight her technical mastery.

The production on the album, spearheaded by a mix of longtime collaborators like Max Martin, feels like a step forward for mainstream pop. It’s sleek yet organic, intimate yet expansive, and it sets Eternal Sunshine apart as one of the most sonically rich albums of the year.

Ariana’s Growth as a Lyricist

One of the most striking aspects of Eternal Sunshine is Ariana’s growth as a songwriter. Her lyrics are sharper, more introspective, and unafraid to explore uncomfortable truths. On “eternal sunshine,” she bares her vulnerability with lines like, “I made it so easy, spent so much on therapy, with my own co-dependency, but you didn’t even try,” she reflects on the fleeting nature of toxic relationships with a quiet poignancy that lingers long after the song ends.

These lyrics are not just poetic; they’re deeply human. They invite listeners to sit with their own emotions and find solace in shared experiences. It’s this relatability, paired with her refined craft, that makes Eternal Sunshine the album, worthy of recognition as Album of the Year.

The Case for Song of the Year: “We Can’t Be Friends”

A Universal Truth

The listener is thrust into the center of a complex relationship as soon as the first chords of “We Can not Be Friends” are played. The terrible understanding that certain relationships, no matter how strong, cannot survive the bounds of friendship after love is a universal fact that the song expresses. Anyone who has attempted—and failed—to negotiate the hazy seas of remaining close to an ex will be able to relate to this attitude.

What sets “We Can’t Be Friends” apart is its simplicity. The lyrics are straightforward yet profound, a testament to Ariana’s ability to say so much with so little. Lines like, “Every time you laugh, I remember why I stayed,” are heartbreakingly honest, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of holding onto someone you know you have to let go.

Melodic Perfection

The melody of “We Can’t Be Friends” is a masterclass in pop songwriting. It’s understated yet haunting, with a piano-driven arrangement that allows Ariana’s voice to take center stage. Her vocal delivery is tender and restrained, drawing listeners into the rawness of the moment. The chorus swells just enough to feel cathartic without tipping into melodrama—a delicate balance that only an artist of Ariana’s caliber can achieve.

Cultural Impact

Beyond its musical and lyrical brilliance, “We Can’t Be Friends” has become a cultural touchstone. The song has inspired countless TikToks, memes, and Instagram captions, cementing its place as one of the year’s most relatable anthems. More importantly, it has sparked conversations about emotional boundaries and the challenges of moving on, proving that music can be both deeply personal and universally resonant.

Why the Grammys Should Take Note

The Grammys have long been criticized for overlooking pop artists, particularly women, in major categories. Ariana is no stranger to this; despite her immense success and critical acclaim, she has often been relegated to the sidelines in favor of less impactful projects. The snubbing of Eternal Sunshine and “We Can’t Be Friends” feels like yet another instance of the Recording Academy failing to recognize pop music as the art form it is.

Albums like Eternal Sunshine deserve to be celebrated not just because they dominate the charts, but because they push boundaries and redefine what pop can be. Similarly, songs like “We Can’t Be Friends” showcase the power of simplicity in storytelling, reminding us that the best music doesn’t always need to be flashy—it just needs to be honest.

Ariana Grande: A Legacy in the Making

What makes Ariana Grande’s snub particularly frustrating is the undeniable impact she continues to have on the music industry. Few artists can claim the same level of consistency, evolution, and influence that Ariana has maintained throughout her career. With Eternal Sunshine, she delivered an album that not only stands among the best of 2024 but also adds to her legacy as one of the greatest artists of her generation.

Perhaps the Grammys will eventually catch up to what fans and critics already know: Ariana Grande is not just a pop star—she’s an artist. And Eternal Sunshine and “We Can’t Be Friends” are proof of her ability to transcend genre, resonate across demographics, and create art that stands the test of time.

In the end, while awards are nice, they’re not what define an artist’s legacy. Ariana has already won in the ways that matter most—through the hearts of her fans, the growth she’s shown, and the art she’s gifted the world. Here’s hoping the industry wakes up and gives her the flowers she’s long deserved. Until then, we’ll keep streaming Eternal Sunshine and singing along to “We Can’t Be Friends,” knowing that no award can truly measure the impact of greatness.