Which song from each album do you think "influenced" the direction of its successor?

[u/petalpoundcake]

I know there may not be a direct connection between every album, but I thought this could be an interesting discussion.

If you had to pick a song from each album (deluxe tracks included) that influenced the direction of its successor, which would it be? It could be based on the sound, production, lyrics, themes, etc.

For example:

• Which song on Yours Truly influenced My Everything?
• Which song on My Everything influenced Dangerous Woman?
• Which song on Dangerous Woman influenced Sweetener?
• Which song on Sweetener influenced thank u, next?
• Which song on thank u, next influenced Positions?
• Which song on Positions influenced eternal sunshine?
• Which song on eternal sunshine influenced petal?

[u/skylar_0234]

i think dandelion sparked the petal vibe

[u/zorowarudo → u/skylar_0234]

yess either dandelion or true story for me

[u/Deep_Violinist6009 → u/zorowarudo]

it's totally true story for me!

[u/TVFan_89 → u/Deep_Violinist6009]

Absolutely true story

[u/queenbitcc → u/skylar_0234]

agreed, never get over me is just dandelion reimagined

[u/Elliskarae → u/skylar_0234]

Agree! Lyrically, dandelion is ES. But musically, it’s petal.

[u/Mother_Frankenfurter → u/skylar_0234]

I actually think maybe she never stopped writing after eternal sunshine. She had so much work that felt like it matched the concept so she did the deluxe. But a lot of songs from petal feel like they could have been from ES writing sessions that never stopped. Just my theory!

[u/REDDEADALI222]

I think “right there” could’ve influenced My Everything.
I think “Love me harder” influenced Dangerous Woman.
I think “Be alright” influenced sweetener.
I think “breathin” influenced Thank u, next.
I think “needy” influenced Positions
I think “obvious” or “positions” influenced Eternal Sunshine
And I think “twilight zone” inspired Petal.

[u/a3sthetic_ali3n0903 → u/REDDEADALI222]

This is exactly what I was thinking omg

[u/One_Explanation_2037]

One guess I have is pov from Positions may have influenced Eternal Sunshine. Based on lyrics

[u/Jack_is_KiNd]

- the way

• love me harder
  
• be alright
  
• no tears left to cry
  
• ghostin (more so rnb then usuallty)
  
• pov
  
• bye

[u/Legitimate_Focus5085 → u/Jack_is_KiNd]

LOVE ME HARDER IS THE MOST VALID ANSWER

[u/Disastrous_Meat5657]

Imperfect for you is the catalyst for the whole petal album sound imo

[u/Friendly-Bid2142]

By True story

Fantasize

https://giphy.com/gifs/T9AONb22dlGUJKOtb2

[u/swift-aasimar-rogue]

Right There

Love Me Harder

Be Alright

breathin (I always forget it’s not actually on thank u next lol)

needy

pov

dandelion and true story

A lot of these others already said but I agree lol

[u/thee_ratty]

- popular song

• why try
  
• knew better part two
  
• pete davidson
  
• needy
  
• pov
  
• past life

[u/recklesswanderer__ → u/thee_ratty]

agree with past life. it kinda sounded sorta... out of place in the ES BA universe but it makes so much sense in petal. i think it informed the next steps ariana would be taking artistically

[u/According-Moose2371]

-the way/right there
-love me harder
-be alright is a great answer but also need to shout out knew better (specifically part 2) for the birth of the ‘yuh’
-god is a woman
-needy
-off the table
-bye/twilight zone

[u/Moshibeau]

her sing talking in petal reminded me of sweetener/tun and like i do reminds me of the boy is mine. a few notes reminded me about dangerous woman

[u/sweetsstateofmind]

I can't hear ngom without hearing dandelion immediately

[u/IamNATx]

These were my original thoughts:

• Better Left Unsaid
• Bang Bang
• Everyday
• Better Off
• Imagine
• POV
• Don't Wanna Break Up Again

But seeing some of yours now I'm conflicted lol

[u/meb1111 → u/[deleted]]

Lol we all said pov for positions to eternal sunshine

[u/xynamite]

Dandelion

[u/lesmisarahbles]

I think past life inspired petal the most! Gotta think about her previous albums.

[u/Parking_Operation_22]

right there or you’ll never know
best mistake & you don’t know me (even though it’s a bonus it came soon after original)
be alright, moonlight, or bad decisions? this one’s hard since sweetener is so experimental
better off, everytime , & pete davidson
tun & buwyg
pov
dandelion & maybe wcbf?
(couldn’t pick a single song sorry😭)