View ArtistStory Behind the Song
"Monopoly" began as an inside joke. Victoria Monét has a well-documented aversion to the classic board game, regularly declining whenever Ariana Grande suggests a round — a recurring dynamic between the two friends that eventually sparked the idea for a song. The track was recorded on February 1, 2019, and written by Grande, Monét, Charles Anderson, Michael Foster, and producer Tim Suby. Its release was originally scheduled for March 28, 2019, but Republic Records pushed it back to April 1 to mark "7 Rings" eighth consecutive week at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Grande took to Twitter to frame the song's themes as "friendship, freedom, protecting your energy and staying right in your bag," while Monét described it as being about "good vibes and celebrations of life and friendship." The accompanying music video was shot just two days before release, on March 30, at Mohegan Sun in the hours before a scheduled concert, with direction from Alfredo Flores and Ricky Alvarez.
Lyrics
[Intro: Ariana Grande] Yeah [Verse 1: Victoria Monét] I've been on a roll, where you been? Real protective with my soul, where you been? Is your GPS even on, where you been? Matter of fact, I don't even care where you been [Chorus: Victoria Monét] Bad vibes, get off of me Outta here with that fuckery Treat my goals like property Collect them like Monopoly I probably won't come if there's not a fee And if they try come stoppin' me I swerve both ways, dichotomy [Post-Chorus: Victoria Monét & Ariana Grande] I like women and men (Yeah) Work so fuckin' much, need a twinny, twin, twin How you hit the club and you barely got in? Then we hit the bank, making them investments for the win, oh [Verse 2: Ariana Grande] Said, I been on a roll, where you been? (Where you been?) Real protective with my soul, where you been? (Where you been?) Is your GPS even on, where you been? (Where you been?) Matter of fact, I don't even care where you been [Chorus: Ariana Grande] Bad vibes, get off of me Outta here with that fuckery Treat my goals like property Collect them like Monopoly I probably won't come if there's not a fee And if they try come stoppin' me I show them my discography (Yeah, yeah) [Post-Chorus: Ariana Grande] I like women and men (Yeah) Work so fuckin' much, need a twinny, twin, twin (Hey) You'd be straight for life if I gave you my PIN (Yeah) Even though we gave up that 90% for the win, go [Verse 3: Victoria Monét & Ariana Grande] I've been on a roll, where you been? (Where you been?) Real protective with my soul, where you been? (Where you been?) Is your GPS even on, where you been? (Where you been?) Matter of fact, I don't even care where you been [Bridge: Ariana Grande] Yeah, hell nah I don't even care where you been (Oh, yeah) Hell nah (Oh, yeah) Said I don't even care [Verse 4: Victoria Monét, Ariana Grande & Both] Remember when we made a fuckin' album off that Clicquot? (Ooh) I never track my vocals, so shout out to Eric Vetro (I love Eric Vetro, man) This been buildin' up, I guess this friendship like Home Depot (Ooh) I'm so thankful working with my best friend, she the cheat code She the cheat code (Yeah) [Outro: Victoria Monét & Ariana Grande] Where you at? Where you been? (Oh yeah) Where you been? Where you at, ho? Hey (Where you been?) Where you at? Where you been, ho? Hey (Mmm, yeah) I don't care where you been, ho (Been) Where you been, Cletus? Yeah, who? (What?) Clevus? Who the fuck is Cletus? It's from, um Cletus? Girl Nutty Fropessor We have to wrap, five, six, seven, eight Yeah
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Meaning of "MONOPOLY" by Ariana Grande
This track opens with a dismissive question, "where you been?" that quickly pivots to a declaration of independence. The narrator, riding a wave of success, is shedding negativity and protecting their inner self. The repeated query about someone's whereabouts becomes less about seeking them out and more about highlighting their absence or irrelevance to the narrator's current trajectory. It's a clear signal that the focus has shifted inward and upward, leaving behind any lingering bad vibes or distractions. The core tension lies in the assertion of self-worth and ambition against external interference or doubt. The chorus is a powerful anthem of boundary-setting, framing personal goals as valuable assets to be protected and accumulated, much like properties in Monopoly. The line "I probably won't come if there's not a fee" underscores a new transactional approach to their time and energy, suggesting that only valuable or mutually beneficial engagements are worth pursuing. This isn't about gatekeeping; it's about prioritizing and valuing their own progress. The most striking lyrical device is the extended metaphor of collecting goals like Monopoly properties. This comparison brilliantly captures the strategic, accumulative nature of ambition and success. It implies a game being played, where each achievement is a property acquired, building an empire. The phrase "swerve both ways, dichotomy" adds another layer, suggesting adaptability and a refusal to be boxed into a single perspective or path, further reinforcing their independent agency. What makes these lyrics resonate is their directness and the vivid imagery of building an empire through personal goals. The confidence is palpable, especially in the post-chorus where the narrator mentions needing a "twinny, twin, twin" due to working so much, and the casual flex of being able to make someone "straight for life" with their PIN. It’s a celebration of hard work, financial independence, and the joy of collaborating with a trusted friend, who is described as a "cheat code," making the journey more efficient and successful.
This AI-assisted editorial analysis was reviewed, improved, and approved by the LyricsWeb editorial team.
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Credits
- Writers
- Scootie
- Michael “Mikey” Foster
- Tim Suby
- Victoria Monét
- Ariana Grande