When 24-year old super-star Ariana Grande opened the Billboard Music Awards two weeks age with her hit “No Tears Left To Cry,” she bowled us over with her vocal range and soulful sensitivity that brought the song’s lyrics to life.
Naturally, our thoughts turned to a pre-diva 20-something Mariah Carey and her 1991 #1 hit, “I Don’t Want to Cry,” which bowled us over with HER vocal range and soulful sensitivity that also brought lyrics to life. Carey’s “Tears” are slow and torchy–Grande’s are faster and more “modern,” but both sing of the same emotionally fraught moment, when a good love starts going bad.
Ariana Grande is as much a pop culture sensation as Mariah Carey was back in her day; Grande sings and acts and is a social media superstar with millions of fans; she’s the third most followed person on Instagram.
“No Tears Left To Cry” is in heavy radio rotation and charting near the top 10 on Top 40 and Adult Top 40 formats.
Grande releases her 4th album this summer; her previous three have been certified platinum.