“34+35” by Ariana Grande is a playful, cheeky, and overtly sexual pop and R&B track about enthusiastically desiring an all-night marathon of lovemaking with a partner. The song’s entire meaning is cleverly constructed as a humorous riddle, with its title being a simple math problem (34 + 35 = 69) that cheekily alludes to the famous sexual position.
It is an unapologetic and joyful celebration of female carnal desire, stamina, and the fun of a passionate physical connection.
Introduction to the Song
Released on October 30, 2020, “34+35” was an immediate standout as the second track on Ariana Grande’s sixth studio album, Positions. The song perfectly encapsulated the album’s overall theme of domestic bliss and romantic intimacy, but did so with a mischievous and explicit sense of humor that delighted fans. Musically, the track is a quintessential example of the Positions sound, blending a bouncy, trap-influenced beat with lush, orchestral strings and Grande’s signature layered, airy vocals.
While it was already a fan-favorite, the song’s popularity exploded when it was released as a single and later bolstered by a massively successful remix featuring Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. Accompanied by a campy, sci-fi-themed music video, “34+35” became a major global hit, celebrated for its witty wordplay, infectious beat, and its confident, sex-positive message.
Central Theme & Message
The central theme of “34+35” is enthusiastic and unapologetic female sexual desire. The song completely subverts any outdated notion of female passivity in the bedroom, instead presenting a narrator who is not only a willing participant but the confident and demanding initiator of a sexual encounter. She is clear about her desires, her stamina, and her expectations, framing the night of passion as a fun, athletic event she has been preparing for.
The primary message of the song is a joyful and confident statement about the fun of sex and the power of female agency. It’s a celebration of being so comfortable and in sync with a partner that you can be openly and humorously demanding about your carnal desires. By cloaking its explicit subject matter in a clever math pun, the song maintains a playful and witty tone, making its message of sexual liberation feel accessible, fun, and empowering rather than shocking or crude.
Lyrical Meaning, Section by Section
The First Verse
The song opens with the narrator admitting that her level of craving might seem “crazy,” but she gets straight to the point with a humorous, almost primal demand for “them babies,” a clear and playful expression of her intense desire. She then sets the scene for a night in, asking her partner his plans and immediately providing the only acceptable answer: that he will be “doin’ you right.”
She continues by mentioning that they will be “watchin’ movies,” but cheekily adds that they won’t actually see a thing. This classic line establishes that the movie is just a pretext for the real main event: a night of uninterrupted intimacy. This verse perfectly sets a tone that is both direct in its desire and playful in its execution.
The Pre-Chorus
The pre-chorus functions as the narrator’s preparation for the long night ahead, framed as a playful challenge to her partner. She asks him if he can “keep it up,” a direct question about his sexual stamina. This is immediately followed by a confident assertion that if he can, she will have to keep him up, suggesting the night will be a marathon.
She then details her own preparations, which are humorously compared to training for an athletic event. She’s been “drinkin’ coffee” for energy and “eatin’ healthy” for stamina. She also mentions keeping things “squeaky” clean, a playful nod to hygiene, before concluding that she’s been “savin’ up my energy” specifically for this occasion. This section brilliantly portrays her as a determined and well-prepared participant.
The Chorus
The chorus is the song’s direct and explicit proposition. The narrator lays out the challenge in the clearest possible terms, asking her partner if he can “stay up all night” and “fuck me ’til the daylight.” This is the central demand of the song, a call for an all-night session of lovemaking.
This explicit request is immediately followed by the song’s titular, numerical phrase: “thirty-four, thirty-five.” At this point in the song, it is presented as a playful mystery, a piece of the riddle that will only be solved later. The chorus is a perfect blend of a direct, lustful challenge and a clever, intriguing pun.
The Second Verse
The second verse shifts focus to her partner’s enthusiastic enjoyment of the experience. The narrator uses sensual, food-related imagery to describe his pleasure, noting that he drinks her in “like water” and says she “tastes like candy.” These lines are classic, effective metaphors for intense physical pleasure and his deep appreciation for her. This verse serves to confirm that the desire and enjoyment in their encounter are entirely mutual.
The Third Verse
This verse is a detailed and confident boast about the narrator’s own sexual prowess, filled with vivid and humorous imagery. She playfully warns her partner that he might need a “seat belt” when she “rides it” and describes herself as an open door, inviting him to “come inside.” She adds a line about being a “wifey” but still being able to be “hit like a side chick,” a clever statement about her ability to maintain intense passion and excitement within a committed relationship.
Her boasts become even more dramatic and humorous as she claims their lovemaking causes an “earthquake” that registers a “4.5” on the Richter scale. She describes their marathon session lasting from midnight to sunrise, and proudly notes that they finish at the same time. The verse concludes with a tender moment, calling him a “dream come true” and joking that he makes her want to hit the snooze button, implying a desire to stay in their blissful bubble forever.
The Outro
The song’s outro serves as the final, hilarious punchline that solves the entire riddle. After the final chorus, where she teases, “Do you know what that means?”, she drops the pretense entirely. In a spoken-word, almost conversational, tone, she reveals the solution to the math problem.
She plainly states that “thirty-four, thirty-five” means she wants to “69” with him, directly naming the famous sexual position. She then comically adds, “Math class / Never was good,” a self-deprecating joke that perfectly caps off the song’s witty, playful, and slightly nerdy humor.
Emotional Tone & Mood
- Tone: The emotional tone of “34+35” is playful, cheeky, humorous, and supremely confident. It is an openly lustful song, but its delivery is so witty and charming that it feels fun and celebratory rather than crude. Grande’s vocal performance is airy and flirtatious, perfectly matching the song’s clever and slightly mischievous nature.
- Mood: The mood is fun, flirty, and energetic. The bouncy trap-pop beat, combined with the lush, romantic orchestral strings that are a signature of the Positions album, creates an atmosphere that is both sophisticated and incredibly playful. It’s a song that makes you want to smile and dance, a perfect soundtrack for feeling confident and desired. 😉
Artist’s Perspective & Backstory
The album Positions was largely inspired by the beginning of Ariana Grande’s relationship with her now ex-husband, Dalton Gomez. The record is her most thematically focused on romance and intimacy, and “34+35” is the project’s most direct and humorous exploration of the physical side of that love.
In interviews, Grande has described the song as “ridiculous,” “fun,” and “a little naughty,” fully embracing its playful and lighthearted nature. She has noted that it was a favorite for her and her team during the album’s creation precisely because of its funny and clever concept. The song was her way of showcasing a more grown-up and openly sexual side of her personality, but doing so with the witty charm and humor that has become her trademark.
Real-Life Events or Facts Related to the Song
- The All-Star Remix: The song’s popularity was significantly boosted by an official remix released in January 2021, which featured two of the biggest female rappers in the world: Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. Their explicit and confident verses perfectly matched the song’s theme of female sexual empowerment and helped the remix climb to a peak of #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
- The Sci-Fi Music Video: The music video, directed by Director X, features a campy, sci-fi/retro-futuristic theme. In the video, Grande plays a scientist who is diligently working to bring a fembot version of herself to life. The video culminates with the newly-awakened fembots breaking into a dance routine reminiscent of the 1960s TV show Bewitched and the Austin Powers films, perfectly capturing the song’s fun and slightly ridiculous energy.
- Commercial Success: Driven by its popularity on the album and the success of the remix, “34+35” became one of the biggest hits from the Positions era. It was a top 10 hit in numerous countries around the world and was certified multi-platinum in the United States.
Metaphors & Symbolism
While much of the song is direct, it uses a central pun and several clever symbols to convey its message.
- 34+35 = 69: The song’s title and central hook is a numerical pun for the “69” mutual oral sex position. The entire song is cleverly structured as a riddle that hides this explicit meaning in plain sight, with the hilarious solution being revealed only in the final moments. It’s a symbol of the song’s witty and playful approach to a risqué topic. ➕
- Coffee and Healthy Eating: The narrator’s mention of her pre-date routine is symbolic of her treating the upcoming sexual encounter like a marathon or an athletic event. She is preparing her body for a night of intense physical activity, which frames her as a serious and dedicated participant in her own pleasure.
- The Earthquake / 4.5 Richter Scale: This is a humorous hyperbole and a symbol for the intense and earth-shattering power of her lovemaking. It’s a playful boast that their physical connection is so powerful it can literally shake the room, reinforcing the song’s theme of incredible sexual chemistry.
- The Fembot (from the Music Video): The fembot that Grande creates in the music video can be seen as a symbol of perfected femininity and sexuality. The humorous, campy visuals of the video use this sci-fi trope to add to the song’s fun and slightly surreal nature, moving it away from a purely realistic depiction of sex and into a more playful fantasy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1: What is the main meaning of “34+35”? Answer 1: The song is a playful and direct anthem about wanting to have sex with a partner all night long. Its title is a math pun, as 34 + 35 equals 69, a reference to the sexual position.
Question 2: What is the math problem in the song’s title? Answer 2: The math problem is 34 + 35. The answer is 69, which is the entire joke and punchline of the song, revealed in the outro.
Question 3: What is the punchline that is revealed in the song’s outro? Answer 3: In the outro, Ariana Grande explicitly states the meaning of the title, saying, “Means I wanna ’69’ with you,” before comically adding that she was never good at math class.
Question 4: What is the theme of the “34+35” music video? Answer 4: The music video has a fun, campy, sci-fi theme where Ariana plays a scientist creating a fembot version of herself. It ends with a 60s-inspired dance scene, reinforcing the song’s playful and humorous vibe.
Question 5: Who was featured on the popular remix of “34+35”? Answer 5: The remix features two major female rappers: Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion. Their verses added to the song’s theme of unapologetic female sexuality and helped it become an even bigger hit.
Question 6: How does this song fit the theme of the Positions album? Answer 6: The Positions album is largely about domestic bliss, romance, and intimacy. “34+35” is the most direct, playful, and humorous exploration of the physical and sexual side of that happy, committed relationship.
Question 7: What does she mean by drinking coffee and eating healthy in the pre-chorus? Answer 7: She is humorously describing her preparation for a long night of sex as if she were training for a marathon. The coffee is for energy and eating healthy is for stamina, which shows her enthusiastic and dedicated approach to the encounter.
Question 8: What is the emotional tone of the song? Answer 8: The tone is playful, cheeky, humorous, and supremely confident. It is a fun and lighthearted song that celebrates sexual desire with a witty and charming energy.
Question 9: What does the line “Even though I’m wifey, you can hit it like a side chick” mean? Answer 9: This line is about maintaining passion and excitement within a committed, long-term relationship. It means that even though they have the comfort and security of a “wifey” dynamic, she wants them to keep the adventurous, high-stakes energy of a more illicit affair.
Question 10: How did the remix help the song’s success? Answer 10: The remix, featuring two of the most popular artists at the time, brought a new wave of attention to the song. It added a new dimension with its rap verses and helped the song climb to its peak position of #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Question 11: What is the significance of the orchestral strings in the song’s production? Answer 11: The lush, cinematic strings are a signature of the Positions album. They create a sense of sophistication and romance that provides a humorous contrast to the song’s very direct and cheeky lyrical content.
Question 12: Is “34+35” considered a feminist song? Answer 12: Yes, it can be seen as a feminist song because it is a celebration of unapologetic female sexual desire and agency. It portrays a woman who is the clear initiator and is confident and vocal about her own pleasure.
Question 13: What does the “earthquake” metaphor refer to? Answer 13: The “earthquake” is a humorous hyperbole for the physical intensity of their lovemaking. She is playfully boasting that their sexual activity is so powerful that it literally makes the bed and the room shake.
Question 14: What was the critical reception to the song? Answer 14: The song was generally praised by critics for its clever wordplay, infectious beat, and its fun, confident energy. It was often highlighted as a standout track on the Positions album.
Question 15: Does the song have a more serious, deeper meaning? Answer 15: While the song is primarily fun and lighthearted, its deeper meaning lies in its confident portrayal of female sexuality. It’s a joyful statement that female desire is something to be celebrated openly and enthusiastically, not hidden or shamed.
Question 16: What does she mean when she jokes about asking for “them babies”? Answer 16: This is a humorous exaggeration of her intense craving for her partner. It’s not a literal request for children but a playful, over-the-top way to express the depth of her physical desire for him at that moment.
Question 17: How does this song differ from “God is a woman”? Answer 17: Both songs celebrate female sexuality, but in different ways. “God is a woman” is a grand, majestic, and almost spiritual statement on divine feminine power. “34+35” is a much more grounded, humorous, and lighthearted celebration of carnal, physical desire.
Question 18: What is the role of the ad-libs and background vocals? Answer 18: The ad-libs and layered background vocals add to the song’s playful and airy feel. They create a conversational and intimate atmosphere, as if she is sharing these fun, flirty thoughts directly with the listener.
Question 19: Why is the final reveal in the outro so effective? Answer 19: It’s effective because the entire song builds up the mystery of the title. The final, spoken-word punchline is a satisfying and funny resolution that rewards the listener for being in on the joke, and the self-deprecating “math class” line makes it even more charming.
Question 20: What is the ultimate message of “34+35”? Answer 20: The ultimate message is that sex can be fun, funny, and something to be enthusiastically and openly desired. It is a joyful and confident celebration of female libido and the simple, human pleasure of a passionate physical connection with someone you are crazy about.