Ariana Grande misses out on number one with ‘gay anthem’ No Tears Left To Cry
Ariana Grande performing. (Getty)
Ariana Grande’s new single was widely celebrated as a gay anthem by fans.
“No Tears Left to Cry” is the first track Grande has come out with since her concert in Manchester was targeted by a terrorist bombing last year.
The official video has racked up more than 57 million views in just one week since its release.
(Dave Hogan/Getty)
But the single has not made it to the number one spot, according to the Official Charts Company.
“No Tears Left to Cry” came in at number two, behind Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa, who also has a vast gay fanbase, who have retain the chart top spot for another week.
The lead single from her upcoming fourth album was streamed 7.3 million times this week and earns the US star her sixth UK Top 10 single.
Dua Lipa and Calvin Harris (Official Charts)
In the video for the song, the 24-year-old singer can be seen releasing a bee, a symbol of defiance and unity celebrated by many following the Manchester attack.
Ariana paid tribute to her fans and Manchester in her new song, in which she sings: “Don’t matter how, what, where, who tries it / We’re out here vibin’.”
(Ariana Grande/YouTube)
Whether it made number one or not, Arianators have also decided that the song – which contains lyrics like “Comin’ out, even when it’s rainin’ down” – is a gay anthem.
Before it dropped, the track’s art – which sees Ariana’s face illuminated with a rainbow – led fans to wonder if their hero was making an LGBT statement.
As one Arianator put it, “look, i KNOW we queers don’t OWN the rainbow, but my girl ariana grande is giving some sIgNaLs here.”
(mollypriddy/Twitter)
And when the track – the first from Ariana’s as-yet-not-announced fourth album, which fans have labelled “ag4” – came out on Friday, Arianators were all over it.
Many proclaimed it as the latest gay anthem to grace 2018, after pro-LGBT hits from the likes of Hayley Kiyoko and Harry Styles.
One fan wrote: “The colouring of the No Tears Left To Cry photos is very interesting.
(sanajunipero/Twitter)
“The rainbow lighting on Ariana’s eyes symbolises how the LGBTQ community helps shape her worldview while the subdued tones indicate how she holds space for her queer fans: steely, unflinching.
“In this essay I wi…” they continued, making fun of their own enthusiasm with a common meme.
Another said: “Ariana releasing No Tears Left To Cry, a gay anthem, with a legendary video, a discount in the US and now at #1 on TTH.
(JTCC2013/Twitter)
“The devil works hard, but Ariana works harder! I’m just so happy .”
Another said: “Ariana sent a message of love and happiness she even started the song slow and sad just so we can see that she [hasn’t] forgotten about what happened in Manchester but now its time to move on PLUS THE SONG IS A GAY ANTHEM I’M LIVING FOR THAT.”
Watch the video for No Tears Left To Cry here:
