Five years ago, pop queens Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande teamed up to gift the world a sparkling storm of emotion, glitter, and power vocals with “Rain on Me.” Released on May 22, 2020, during the height of global uncertainty, the track was more than just a chart-topper—it was a lifeline for many. As the second single off Gaga’s “Chromatica” album, the collaboration became an instant pop culture moment, blending both artists’ powerhouse energy into one unforgettable anthem.
In honor of the track’s anniversary, let’s break down 3 reasons why it still slays 5 years later:
- A return to pop for both Gaga and Ari:
While Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande are known for big pop anthems like “Bad Romance” and “Problem,” the years prior to “Chromatica” signaled a sound change for both artists. Gaga was booked and busy with “Johanne” and later with the “Star is Born” soundtrack. Both projects leaned on a more pop-rock sound, contrasting with the artists’ dance-pop previous releases. Meanwhile, Ari was all about her “Positions” album, which showcases her R&B side.
In a delightful twist, both divas came together to maximize their joint slay! In a way, “Rain on Me” is a return to pop music for both artists, who had expanded their musical horizons and delved into other genres. However, their collaboration reminded fans why they’re perfect at making dance-pop, floorfiller tracks.
- Their VMAs joint performance
The 2020 VMAs were certainly something! The event took place in an outdoor format across New York City, with most performances being pre-recorded. At the show, Gaga was presented with the MTV Tricon Award, an achievement for her feats in three or more fields of entertainment. She then presented the Tricon Award Chromatica Medley, performing tracks like “911,” “Stupid Love,” and “Rain On Me” with Ariana Grande herself.
And while this pair gave their all on stage—think belting, powerhouse vocals, gorgeous outfits, and choreo—a particular moment stole the whole thing. While ending the bridge of the song, Ari blessed viewers with her signature whistle note, as Gaga belted her part. Mid-performance, Gaga asked Ari something, and to this day, we don’t know what that was! Neither of them has revealed the mystery, and it looks like they don’t even remember it. At her recent “Little Monster Press Conference,” Gaga spilled that she doesn’t recall their exchange:
- A friendship was born:
Gaga revealed the song was a true partnership. She asked Ari what she wanted and how she would like to proceed with the song. Interestingly, the singer revealed that she kept pulling away from her collaborator. “When she came into the studio, I was still crying and she was not. And she was like, ‘You’re going to be OK. Call me; here’s my number,’” Gaga says. “And she was so persistent. She would try over and over again to be friends with me. And I was too ashamed to hang out with her because I didn’t want to project all of this negativity onto something that was healing and so beautiful. And eventually she called me on my s–t. She was, ‘You’re hiding.’ And I was … and then this friendship blossomed.”
Similarly, Ari expressed her feelings for Gaga in a post thanking her for their collaboration and friendship: “One time ….. i met a woman who knew pain the same way i did… who cried as much as i did, drank as much wine as i did, ate as much pasta as i did and who’s heart was bigger than her whole body. she immediately felt like a sister to me,” Ari wrote about Gaga. “i hope this makes u all feel as uplifted as it does for us both. i love u @ladygaga, u stunning superwoman !” She ended her note.
Happy fifth birthday to “Rain On Me!”
