You remember that pink exercise bike? Of course you do. In 2016, you couldn’t walk into a gym or scroll through Instagram without seeing Ariana Grande in a high-pony and a visor, pedaling away while hitting notes that shouldn't be humanly possible. Side to Side wasn't just another pop song on the radio; it was a cultural reset for Ariana’s career. It shifted her from the "teen idol" lane firmly into the "unapologetic adult" lane.
But honestly, most people totally missed what the song was actually about for months. While parents were humming along to the catchy reggae-pop beat, the internet was slowly realizing that the lyrics weren't exactly about a heavy cardio session at SoulCycle.
Why Side to Side is Still a Masterclass in Subversive Pop
Most pop songs are pretty transparent. You get the hook, you get the vibe, and you move on. Side to Side is different because it uses a "Trojan Horse" strategy. It sounds like a breezy, tropical-inspired summer anthem. Produced by the legendary Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh, it borrows that "ska upstrumming" style that Rihanna really popularized in the early 2010s. It’s laid back. It’s fun.
Then you actually listen to the words.
When Ariana sings, "I've been here all night, I've been here all day / And boy, got me walkin' side to side," she isn't talking about a 24-hour gym marathon. In a now-famous interview with MTV News, Ariana finally pulled the curtain back. She admitted, "That whole song is about riding leading to soreness."
The "Bicycle" Lyric That Broke the Internet
We have to talk about Nicki Minaj’s verse. Nicki has a way of being incredibly literal while using metaphors that make you do a double-take. Her line about the "dick bicycle" became an instant meme, but it also served a purpose. It grounded the song’s flirtatious energy in something much more explicit.
Interestingly, there’s an even more "NSFW" version of the verse that never made the final cut. According to fan-site lore and confirmed interviews, Nicki originally had lines about "screaming oh sh*t" that were swapped out to keep the track slightly more radio-friendly.
The VMA Performance and the Birth of a Theme
Usually, a music video follows the song. With Side to Side, the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards performance actually acted as the world's introduction to the visual world of the song. Ariana and her "cycling squad" performed on stationary bikes.
It looked effortless, which is wild because if you’ve ever tried to sing even a nursery rhyme while on a spin bike, you know you’re usually gasping for air within thirty seconds. Ariana was hitting F5 notes while pedaling. This performance cemented the "fitness" theme, which Hannah Lux Davis then took to the extreme in the official music video.
The video wasn't just a workout clip; it featured:
- A high-fashion spinning class in coordinated outfits.
- A boxing ring scene where Ariana proves she can hold her own.
- The iconic sauna scene with Nicki Minaj and a group of "mannequin-like" shirtless male models.
The Chart Success Nobody Saw Coming
At first, Side to Side wasn't the "main" focus of the Dangerous Woman album. Songs like "Focus" and "Into You" were the initial heavy hitters. But Side to Side had a slow-burn energy. It eventually climbed to number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
It stayed in the top ten for weeks, eventually becoming her highest-charting single from that era. Internationally, it was a monster. It hit number two in New Zealand and number three in Australia. It’s currently certified 6x Platinum in the US. That’s not just a "hit"—that’s a career-defining staple.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Meaning
There’s a common misconception that the song is "anti-feminist" because it’s about a girl ignoring her friends' advice to stay away from a "bad boy." People pointed to the lyrics "These friends keep talkin' way too much / Say I should give him up."
But if you look closer, the song is actually about agency. It’s about a woman choosing her own pleasure and experiences over the "rational" advice of outsiders. It’s about the thrill of a connection that is physically exhausting and mentally consuming. It’s not a song about being a victim; it’s a song about being in control of one's own desires, even if they’re "dangerous."
The Enduring Legacy of the Ariana-Nicki Duo
You can't talk about this track without acknowledging the chemistry between Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj. This was their third major collaboration after "Bang Bang" and "Get On Your Knees." They have a specific frequency—Ariana provides the melodic, ethereal sweetness, and Nicki provides the sharp, grounded reality.
They’ve performed it everywhere from the AMAs to the NBA All-Star Game. Even when they aren't together, the song feels like a joint effort. It’s one of those rare collaborations where neither artist feels like a "guest." They both own the space.
Why It Still Matters Today
In 2026, looking back at the mid-2010s pop landscape, Side to Side stands out because it wasn't afraid to be a bit "dirty" while looking perfectly polished. It paved the way for the even more explicit themes in Ariana’s later work, like the Positions album.
It’s a reminder that pop music can be multi-layered. It can be a workout anthem, a club banger, and a cheeky confession all at once.
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How to Experience Side to Side Like a Pro
If you’re revisiting this track or discovering it for the first time, don't just listen to the radio edit. Look for the live VMA version to appreciate the sheer vocal athleticism.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch the Choreography: The bike routine in the video was actually nominated for Best Choreography at the 2017 VMAs. It’s harder than it looks.
- Listen for the Reggae Roots: Pay attention to the "upstrum" on the guitar. It’s a classic reggae technique that gives the song its "bouncy" feel.
- Check the Credits: Notice the production by Max Martin. He’s the guy behind almost every major pop hit of the last 20 years. Studying his production on this track is like a mini-lesson in how to build a perfect pop bridge.
Side to Side remains a definitive moment in Ariana Grande's evolution from a Nickelodeon star to a global powerhouse who isn't afraid to tell her own story, one "bicycle" ride at a time.