“Side To Side” by Ariana Grande, featuring Nicki Minaj, is a confident and playful reggae-pop anthem whose core meaning is a clever and cheeky celebration of the physical after-effects of a marathon session of passionate sex. The song’s central phrase, “walkin’ side to side,” is a now-iconic euphemism for being sore from intense sexual activity.
Far from being a complaint, the song frames this feeling as a badge of honor, unapologetically celebrating female desire, pleasure, and sexual stamina.
Introduction to the Song
Released on May 20, 2016, “Side To Side” was the third single from Ariana Grande’s critically acclaimed third studio album, Dangerous Woman. The track immediately stood out with its unique and infectious blend of reggae-pop and R&B, a laid-back, summery sound that was a fresh direction for the pop superstar. The song also marked the third major collaboration between Grande and rap queen Nicki Minaj, a creative partnership that had already proven to be a recipe for success.
The song was a massive global hit, propelled by its irresistible groove, a memorable performance at the 2016 MTV VMAs, and an iconic, stylized music video. However, it was the track’s not-so-secret, risqué meaning that truly cemented its place in pop culture history. “Side To Side” became a masterclass in using clever euphemism to broadcast a bold message of sexual liberation to a massive mainstream audience, perfectly encapsulating the confident and unapologetic spirit of the Dangerous Woman era.
Central Theme & Message
The central theme of “Side To Side” is unapologetic female sexual desire and satisfaction. The song is a confident and joyful exploration of a woman who is not only actively seeking out pleasure but is celebrating the physical proof of her satisfying encounters. It completely subverts any notion of female passivity in the bedroom, instead portraying a woman who is an equal, energetic, and enthusiastic participant.
The primary message is a bold and empowering statement about owning one’s sexuality without shame or apology. By using a clever, coded phrase to describe a very specific physical sensation, the song playfully invites listeners into an “if you know, you know” secret. The message is clear: a woman’s pleasure is something to be proud of, and the evidence of a good time is not something to hide, but something to be celebrated with a confident, side-to-side strut.
Lyrical Meaning, Section by Section
The First Verse
The song opens with the narrator, Ariana Grande, directly addressing a potential romantic partner. She sees him across the room and makes her attraction clear, stating she wants to “rock with your body” and that they don’t need to overthink the situation. She acknowledges that he has a “bad reputation,” but instead of being a deterrent, this only adds to his allure, making him a source of “temptation.” This verse establishes the song’s premise: a desire-fueled encounter where she is willing to ignore warnings for the sake of passion.
The Second Verse
The second verse introduces a layer of secrecy and forbidden excitement to their tryst. The narrator suggests that it doesn’t matter what other people think, as long as they can keep their connection private. She frames their encounter as a thrilling and rebellious act, comparing it to “making deals with the devil” and acknowledging that it might get her into “trouble.” This highlights her conscious choice to pursue this intense pleasure, even if it goes against better judgment or social norms.
The Pre-Chorus
The pre-chorus serves as the narrator’s justification for ignoring any criticism of her choice. She reveals that her “friends keep talkin’ way too much,” advising her to give up this dangerous and tempting man. However, she declares that she “can’t hear them,” not because they are wrong, but because her own desire and the intensity of her current experience are completely drowning them out. This section is a classic representation of choosing passion over practical advice.
The Chorus
The chorus is the song’s cheeky and iconic punchline, where the central euphemism is revealed. After establishing her intense, all-consuming night and day with this man, she declares the physical result: he’s “got me walkin’ side to side.” This phrase is a clever and widely understood euphemism for the soreness one feels after a particularly long and enthusiastic session of sexual activity. The repetition of this line, paired with the groovy, strutting beat, turns this physical sensation from a potential complaint into a confident, almost prideful, declaration of her sexual satisfaction.
The Third Verse (Nicki Minaj’s Feature)
Nicki Minaj’s verse enters with an explosion of her signature swagger and explicit confidence, elevating the song’s energy and doubling down on its themes. She uses a series of clever and boastful rhymes to assert her own sexual dominance and prowess. She employs her now-famous “ride dick bicycle” line and humorously offers a “tricycle” for a threesome, showcasing her unapologetic and playful approach to sex.
She also uses the verse to cement her status as the “queen of rap,” with Grande as her pop counterpart. Her feature adds a layer of hard-edged, explicit bravado that perfectly complements Grande’s smoother, more suggestive delivery. It is a masterclass in a guest verse, amplifying the song’s core message of female empowerment and sexual dominance.
Emotional Tone & Mood
- Tone: The emotional tone of “Side To Side” is confident, flirty, and playfully mischievous. The song is delivered with a cool, laid-back swagger that makes its risqué subject matter feel charming and fun rather than overly explicit. Both Grande’s smooth vocals and Minaj’s sharp-witted rhymes exude a sense of unapologetic self-assurance.
- Mood: The mood is hypnotic, groovy, and undeniably sensual. The mid-tempo, reggae-infused pop beat creates a relaxed but incredibly danceable vibe that feels like the perfect soundtrack for a hot, humid summer night. It’s a song that makes you want to move your hips, embodying the confident, side-to-side strut it describes. 💃
Artist’s Perspective & Backstory
The Dangerous Woman era was a pivotal moment for Ariana Grande, as she fully embraced a more mature and confident artistic identity. “Side To Side” was a key pillar of this era, showcasing her willingness to explore her sexuality in her music in a more direct and unapologetic way.
The song’s hidden meaning became a famous talking point, and Grande herself memorably (and coyly) confirmed it during an interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. When pressed by Ellen about the song’s true subject matter, a blushing Grande eventually admitted, “It’s about riding a bicycle… a SoulCycle bike.” This playful, tongue-in-cheek confirmation officially let the mainstream audience in on the joke, cementing the song’s legacy as a clever and iconic piece of pop innuendo. The song perfectly represented the album’s theme: celebrating the strength and complexity of womanhood, including a confident embrace of sexuality.
Real-Life Events or Facts Related to the Song
- The Iconic Music Video: The music video, directed by Hannah Lux Davis, is one of the most memorable of her career. The entire video is set in a stylized, pink-lit gymnasium and SoulCycle studio, visually representing the song’s central “workout” metaphor. The video features Grande leading a spin class, working out with weights in a locker room, and a steamy finale in a sauna with male models, making the song’s sensual theme visually explicit.
- The 2016 VMA Performance: Grande and Minaj delivered a now-legendary performance of “Side To Side” at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards. The performance recreated the music video’s gym theme, starting with Grande on a stationary bike before moving to a pommel horse. The high-energy, perfectly choreographed performance was a major promotional moment that helped catapult the song to the top of the charts.
- Massive Commercial Success: “Side To Side” was a global smash hit. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified 6x Platinum in the United States. It remains one of the most successful and beloved collaborations of both artists’ careers.
Metaphors & Symbolism
“Side To Side” is a masterwork of a single, sustained metaphor, supported by clever imagery and wordplay.
- “Walkin’ Side to Side”: This is the song’s central and most important symbol and euphemism. It is a metaphor for the physical soreness and specific gait that can result from a long and intense session of sexual activity. By using this clever, coded phrase, the song was able to pass radio censorship while still delivering a clear and risqué message to those “in the know.”
- The Gym / SoulCycle (from the Music Video): The entire setting of the music video is a brilliant and elaborate metaphor for sex as a physical workout. The intense “exercise” on the spin bikes, the weightlifting, and the sweaty bodies all symbolize the physical exertion and stamina of a passionate sexual encounter. 🚲
- “Making deals with the devil”: This is a classic metaphor for knowingly engaging in something that is forbidden, risky, or goes against better judgment for the sake of intense pleasure or desire. It perfectly captures the thrilling and rebellious nature of the narrator’s tryst.
- “Ride dick bicycle” / “Tricycle” (from Nicki’s Verse): These are explicit and humorous symbols of sexual prowess and adventurousness. The “bicycle” is a direct metaphor for sex, while the “tricycle” is a witty way of signaling openness to a threesome, reinforcing the song’s theme of unapologetic female desire and control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Question 1: What is the real meaning of “Side To Side”?Answer 1: The real meaning, confirmed by Ariana Grande, is that the song is about being sore from having so much sex that it makes you walk with a side-to-side gait.
Question 2: What does the phrase “walkin’ side to side” actually mean?Answer 2: It’s a clever euphemism for the physical soreness one might feel in their legs and thighs after a particularly enthusiastic and lengthy sexual encounter.
Question 3: How did Ariana Grande confirm the song’s meaning?Answer 3: She confirmed it during a 2016 interview on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. While she was initially coy, she eventually explained that the soreness was from riding a “SoulCycle bike,” a playful, tongue-in-cheek confirmation that everyone understood.
Question 4: What is the theme of the “Side To Side” music video?Answer 4: The music video uses a gym and a SoulCycle studio as an elaborate metaphor for a sexual workout. The entire video visualizes the physical exertion and stamina described in the song, reinforcing its sensual and athletic themes.
Question 5: What era of Ariana Grande’s music is this song from?Answer 5: “Side To Side” is a key track from her third studio album, Dangerous Woman (2016). This era was defined by her embracing a more mature, confident, and unapologetically sensual artistic identity.
Question 6: Who is the featured artist on “Side To Side”?Answer 6: The song features a guest verse from Trinidadian-American rapper and longtime collaborator, Nicki Minaj.
Question 7: What does the pre-chorus about her friends “talkin’ way too much” mean?Answer 7: It means her friends are trying to warn her away from the man she is with, likely because he has a “bad reputation.” However, she is choosing to ignore their advice because her physical and emotional attraction to him is too strong.
Question 8: What does the line “making deals with the devil” symbolize?Answer 8: This symbolizes her conscious choice to do something she knows is risky or “bad” for the sake of intense pleasure. It’s about embracing a forbidden temptation.
Question 9: What is the musical genre of “Side To Side”?Answer 9: The song is a blend of reggae-pop and R&B, with a distinctive, laid-back, mid-tempo groove that gives it a summery and hypnotic feel.
Question 10: How does Nicki Minaj’s verse contribute to the song’s meaning?Answer 10: Nicki Minaj’s verse amplifies the song’s themes of female dominance and unapologetic sexuality. Her explicit and confident bars add a layer of hard-edged swagger that perfectly complements Ariana’s more suggestive and melodic parts.
Question 11: Was “Side To Side” a successful single?Answer 11: Yes, it was a massive global success. It peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100, was a top 10 hit in many countries, and has been certified 6x Platinum in the U.S.
Question 12: What is the significance of the 2016 MTV VMA performance?Answer 12: The VMA performance, with its full spin class and gym choreography, was a huge promotional moment for the song. It brought the music video’s concept to life and helped solidify the song’s central “workout” metaphor in the public consciousness.
Question 13: What does Nicki Minaj’s line “ride dick bicycle” mean?Answer 13: This is an explicit and humorous metaphor for sex, specifically the act of a woman being on top. It perfectly aligns with the song’s athletic and workout-themed imagery.
Question 14: Is “Side To Side” considered a feminist anthem?Answer 14: Yes, many consider it a feminist anthem because of its unapologetic celebration of female sexual desire, pleasure, and agency. It portrays women as active, enthusiastic participants who are in control of their own satisfaction.
Question 15: What is the meaning of Nicki Minaj’s line “young Ariana run pop”?Answer 15: In this line, Nicki Minaj is anointing both herself and Ariana as the rulers of their respective genres. She declares herself the “queen of rap” and states that Ariana “runs” the world of pop music, cementing their status as a powerful duo.
Question 16: How does the song fit the theme of the Dangerous Woman album?Answer 16: The album’s theme is about embracing all facets of womanhood, including strength, vulnerability, and sexuality. “Side To Side” is a perfect representation of the confident, “dangerous” woman who is not afraid to own her desires.
Question 17: What does she mean when she says they are “solo”?Answer 17: In the second verse, the line “makin’ everybody think that we solo” means they are keeping their relationship a secret. They are putting on a public facade of being single while carrying on a private affair.
Question 18: What is the role of the reggae-pop beat in the song?Answer 18: The relaxed, groovy reggae-pop beat creates a cool, laid-back, and sensual atmosphere. The mid-tempo rhythm gives the song a confident, strutting feel that perfectly matches the “walkin’ side to side” theme.
Question 19: Why was the song’s meaning considered “scandalous” at the time?Answer 19: While tame by today’s standards, its explicit-but-coded celebration of female sexual pleasure was still a bold move for a mainstream pop star like Ariana Grande in 2016, especially one who had started her career on a children’s television network.
Question 20: What is the ultimate message of “Side To Side”?Answer 20: The ultimate message is a confident and joyful celebration of female sexual liberation. It’s a statement that a woman’s pleasure is a powerful and positive force, and the physical evidence of that pleasure is not a source of shame, but a badge of honor to be worn with a proud, side-to-side swagger.