Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” is nominated for Best Lyrics at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards
Ariana Grande continues to dominate the music industry, not only with her powerhouse vocals and chart-topping singles but also with her deeply emotional and introspective songwriting. One of her standout tracks from 2024, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” has received a nomination for Best Lyrics in the socially voted category at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
This nomination is a testament to the song’s impact on fans and critics alike, highlighting Ariana’s ability to craft meaningful lyrics that resonate with listeners worldwide. As anticipation builds for the awards ceremony, let’s take a deep dive into the song’s themes, lyrical depth, commercial success, and why it has earned a place among the most lyrically compelling tracks of the year.
The Story Behind “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)”
Released as the second single from Ariana Grande’s seventh studio album, Eternal Sunshine, on March 8, 2024, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” quickly captured the attention of fans and music critics. The song showcases a unique fusion of synth-pop, electropop, power pop, and Europop, blending nostalgic influences with Ariana’s signature sound.
Co-written and co-produced by Ariana Grande, Max Martin, and Ilya Salmanzadeh, the track reflects Ariana’s evolving artistry. Her ability to combine heartfelt storytelling with infectious melodies has made this song one of the standout releases of the year.
Analyzing the Lyrics: Why the Nomination Matters
The Best Lyrics category at the iHeartRadio Music Awards is one of the most competitive, as it recognizes songs that deeply connect with listeners on an emotional level. Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” is a perfect example of powerful lyricism, touching on themes of heartbreak, longing, and the painful reality of moving on.
Themes and Emotional Depth
At its core, the song captures the complicated emotions that follow a breakup, particularly when one person is struggling to let go. The lyrics express the desire to remain close to an ex-partner, even when both parties know that being “just friends” isn’t possible.
Some of the most striking lines include:
“We can’t be friends, but I’d like to just pretend.”
This line alone encapsulates the internal conflict of wanting to hold onto the past while knowing that moving forward is inevitable.
Ariana’s lyricism also plays with nostalgia, bittersweet emotions, and the passage of time, themes that have resonated with fans who have gone through similar heartbreaks.
A Deeper Interpretation: A Message to the Media?
Many fans believe that “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” is not just about a romantic relationship but also a reflection on Ariana’s complex relationship with the media.
The press has followed Ariana’s personal life extensively, often making it difficult for her to maintain privacy. Some interpret the lyrics as her way of expressing frustration with the constant scrutiny, portraying the media as an “ex-lover” she wishes she could distance herself from.
This double meaning adds another layer to the song’s depth, making it even more deserving of its nomination for Best Lyrics.
Critical and Commercial Success
Chart Performance
From the moment it dropped, “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” dominated the charts, proving that its emotional depth resonated with a global audience.
- Debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking Ariana’s ninth career chart-topper.
- Topped the Billboard Global 200, proving its massive international success.
- Reached #1 in multiple countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and the UAE.
- Entered the Top 10 in 22 other countries, including Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Its streaming numbers and radio play remained strong, demonstrating its staying power in the pop music landscape.
Critical Reception
The song received widespread critical acclaim, with music journalists praising its lyricism, emotional delivery, and production.
- The Guardian compared the song to Robyn’s “Call Your Girlfriend,” highlighting its juddering synths and nostalgic tones.
- Elle Magazine described it as a coming-of-age pop anthem, capturing the emotions of heartbreak and moving forward.
With such overwhelming praise, it’s no surprise that the song has now earned a major nomination at the iHeartRadio Music Awards.
The Music Video: A Cinematic Experience
The music video for “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” directed by Christian Breslauer, brings the song’s emotional depth to life.
Taking inspiration from the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the video follows Ariana as she undergoes a memory-erasing procedure to forget an ex-partner, played by actor Evan Peters. The visual storytelling enhances the song’s themes of love, loss, and the difficulty of letting go.
The video’s cinematic quality and powerful imagery earned it five nominations at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards, where it won Best Cinematography.
Live Performances and Promotion
To promote the single, Ariana delivered stunning live performances that showcased the song’s raw emotion.
- March 9, 2024: Saturday Night Live: Performed “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” along with “Imperfect for You.”
- 2024 Met Gala Surprise Performance: sang a medley that included “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” “Yes, And?,” and “The Boy Is Mine.”
These performances solidified the song’s place as one of the most powerful ballads of the year.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards Nomination and Fan Reactions
The iHeartRadio Music Awards recognize the biggest and most influential songs of the year, with several categories being socially voted.
The Best Lyrics category is a fan-driven award, meaning Ariana’s dedicated fanbase—also known as the Arianators—can directly influence the outcome.
Following the nomination announcement, fans flooded social media with excitement, using hashtags like #WeCantBeFriends and #ArianaBestLyrics to show their support.
This overwhelming response proves that the song has struck an emotional chord with millions worldwide.
What This Nomination Means for Ariana Grande
While Ariana Grande is no stranger to awards and accolades, this nomination for Best Lyrics is particularly significant because it highlights her evolution as a songwriter.
From early hits like “Problem” to introspective tracks like “No Tears Left to Cry” and “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love),” Ariana has consistently proven her ability to connect with audiences through deeply personal lyrics.
With the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards approaching, all eyes will be on whether Ariana Grande will take home the award for Best Lyrics.
Conclusion: A Deserving Nomination for a Powerful Song
Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” is more than just a hit song—it’s an emotional journey.
With its poignant lyrics, commercial success, critical acclaim, and heartfelt performances, it’s no surprise that it has been nominated for Best Lyrics at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
As voting continues, fans are rallying behind Ariana, ensuring that her beautifully crafted lyrics receive the recognition they deserve.
Will Ariana take home the award? Only time will tell—but one thing is for sure: “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait for Your Love)” has already cemented itself as one of her most powerful songs to date.
