Who is Ariana Grande's 'In My Head' about? Pete Davidson or Mac Miller?

8 February 2019, 23:02

By Katie Louise Smith

Fans are undecided over whether or not the lyrics of Ariana's new song 'In My Head' is about Mac Miller or Pete Davidson. From Gucci tennis shoes to 'angels', there's references to both.

Ariana Grande's brand new album thank u, next is by far the most personal record she's ever released. There's a lot of emotional songs on the track list that touch on her relationships and break ups with both Pete Davidson and Mac Miller (some more obvious than others), her own struggles and the importance of self care. 'In My Head' is one of them, but fans can't work out if it's about Pete or Mac.

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In her own words, Ariana says the song is about "being in love w a version of somebody you've created in your head. falling for someone that they are not."

The song starts with a voice note from Ariana's friend Doug Middlebrook on the phone telling Ari: "you're in love with a version of a person that you've created in your head, that you are trying to but cannot fix. Uh, the only thing you can fix is yourself." He goes on to tell her that she needs to start focusing on herself instead of focusing so much on other people.

Of course, given how public Ariana's dating life is and how honest and open she's been with her fans about her break ups, many are now speculating as to who she's singing about on the track.

Is Ariana Grande's 'In My Head' about Mac Miller or Pete Davidson?

Some fans think the song is about Pete Davidson...

While Ariana has confirmed that there's "no repeats or 2.0s" from Sweetener on thank u, next, fans are bringing up a lyric from 'Pete Davidson' where she sings "I thought you into my mind" and comparing it to "I thought that you were the one but it was all in my head" from the new song.

There's also one lyric that's got fans convinced it's about Pete: "Yeah, look at you, boy, I invented you // Your Gucci tennis shoes, runnin' from your issues."

Pete was definitely known in his own right as a comedian and SNL cast member before Ariana, but there's no denying that the relationship propelled him to a more mainstream platform. While Ari could be referring to the fact that she "invented" him in her mind, it could also mean that she literally "invented" him as a celebrity. Some people think it's a drag but we'll let you decide... Pete does own Gucci tennis shoes.

Others think there's references towards her and Mac's relationship.

Most of the fan speculation about Mac comes from the lyric: "They see demon, I see angel, angel, angel // Without the halo, wingless angel." Ariana refers to Mac as 'angel' on both Twitter and in the lyrics of 'thank u, next." (This lyric could also refer to Pete too, considering the backlash he often got while dating Ari.)

Fans are also taking Doug's voice note about 'trying to fix someone she cannot fix' as possible reference to Ariana's relationship with Mac and the statement she made following their break up. In the tweet, she wrote: "I have cared for him and tried to support his sobriety & prayed for his balance for years (and always will of course) but shaming/blaming women for a man’s inability to keep his s--t together is a very major problem."

There's also a lyric that fans think could refer to Mac's tragic passing: "Falling, falling but I never thought you'd leave me."

So, who is 'in my head' about? Until Ariana confirms, we guess we'll never truly know. The song could even be about both relationships, to be honest. Either way, the track is gorgeous and it serves as a reminder to us all that at the end of the day, we should always put ourselves first. Self care! It's important! Love yourself! Thank u, Ariana! Next!