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"Jason's Song (Gave It Away)" (commonly referred to as either "Jason's Song" or "Gave It Away") is a song recorded by Ariana Grande for her third studio album, Dangerous Woman, released through Republic Records on May 20, 2016. Grande co-wrote the track with Jason Robert Brown, with whom she previously worked with eight years prior on the musical 13. Both sonically and lyrically different from the rest of the album, "Gave It Away" utilizes real drum kits and piano stabs accumpanied by sparse snaps and a backing choir, offering a jazzy, show tune-esque flavor. The song is about Grande's then-manager, Scooter Braun.

Upon Dangerous Woman's release, "Gave It Away" was only available as a bonus track via Target exclusive CDs, as well as Japanese deluxe editions of the album. The song would see its streaming debut on September 16, 2016, when it was released as the third promotional single from the album. To celebrate Dangerous Woman's fifth anniversary, "Gave It Away" and "Step on Up" were both added to Dangerous Woman all streaming services on May 20, 2021.

Background[]

"Jason's Song (Gave It Away)" is named after Jason Robert Brown, an American musical theatre composer, lyricist, and playwright. Grande became acquainted with Brown in 2008 during her time portraying Charlotte in the Broadway musical 13. The two eventually became very close, with Brown becoming somewhat of a mentor for Grande. Over the following years, the two would continue to stay in touch.

"Gave It Away" was released as the seventeenth track on both Target and Japanese deluxe editions of the album.[1][2] The song was eventually released onto streaming services as a standalone single on September 16, 2016, following "Be Alright" (March, 2016) and "Let Me Love You" (April, 2016), becoming the third and final promotional single to be released off Dangerous Woman.[3] Prior to release, Grande stated that this was "one of the most different" songs on the album.[4]

On May 20, 2021, "Step on Up" and "Gave It Away" were both added to Dangerous Woman on all streaming services to celebrate the album's fifth anniversary. Though "Gave It Away" had already been available on streaming prior, having been released in September, 2016, this would mark the first time "Step on Up" was released on streaming in all territories outside Japan.

On January 25, 2024, three demos of song leaked alongside the sessions and a demo acapella. Some of the song's projects were saved as "GAVE IT AWAY" while others were saved as "JASON PIANO".

The first demo is relatively similar to the final version, it features an alternate piano take but does not contain a bridge or the final chorus, instead ending with a fade-out. The second demo is drastically different, featuring an entirely reworked composition with vocal chops, guitar stabs, horns, and saxophone licks, offering a heavy 70's funk influence. An alternate mix of the second demo omitting most of the instrumentals during the chorus is also available. The third demo sounds almost identical to the final version of the song, featuring a slightly extended outro with a fade-out.

Audios[]

Composition and lyrics[]

"Jason's Song "Gave It Away") is a jazzy, Broadway showtune-inspired song produced by Jason Robert Brown, with whom the song is named after. Brown co-wrote the song with Grande. The song's soul and funk influences offer a sound reminescent of 1970's jazz.

Lyrically, the song tackles themes of independence and knowing one's self worth, having been inspired by Grande's split from then-manager Scooter Braun. Grande signed to Braun's managment company, SB Projects, sometime in early-2013. Over the years, the two would frequently interact with each other on social media, implying that they are relatively close to each other, though it was reported in February, 2016, that Grande fired Braun due to creative differences. She would later re-hire him sometime in September 2016. The two would eventually end up parting ways once again in August, 2023, though the exact reasoning is unknown.

Live Performances[]

Grande performed the song live for the first time on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon on September 19, 2016, which gained moderate recognition to the song.[5]The second, and final, time "Gave It Away" was performed was in New York City on February 24, 2017, during the interchangeable slot on the Dangerous Woman Tour.

Videos[]

Lyrics[]

[Verse 1]
Yeah, you really tried
But I was blind to all the lies you told me, boy
All the shit you've done
You can't outrun the way you undersold me

[Pre-Chorus 1]
You acted like you bought me at a bargain sale
You don't even care
You focused your frustration on a small detail
Blew it out of scale, like my ponytail

[Chorus 1]
Well, if you don't want to see the girl I want to be
Then why, then why should I listen?
If you don't want to do the things I need from you
Goodbye, goodbye
Cause I gave it away, I gave it away, I gave it away
And I'm takin' it right back, hey

[Verse 2]
I'm no blow up doll, no free-for-all
No slave to your decision, oh, babe
Gotta find a way to break the spell
To get the hell away from those who block my vision

[Pre-Chorus 2]
You used me as a fragment of your grand design, hey
And you, you don't get to put me on your bottom line
You don't get what's mine, and I'm doing fine

[Chorus 2]
Said you don't want to see the girl I want to be
Then why, then why would I listen?
If you don't want to do the things I need from you
Goodbye, goodbye
Cause I gave it away, I gave it away, I gave it away
And I'm takin' it right back, baby

[Chorus 1]
Well, if you don't want to see the girl I want to be
Then why, then why should I listen?
If you don't want to do the things I need from you
Goodbye, goodbye
Cause I gave it away, I gave it away, I gave it away, I gave it away
I'm takin' it right back, hey

[Outro]
Takin' it right back, baby
I'm takin' it right back, hey

References[]

Dangerous Woman
May 20, 2016 • 39:31 • Republic Records
Songs
Released Bad DecisionsBe AlrightDangerous WomanEverydayFocusGreedyI Don't CareInto YouJason's Song (Gave It Away)Knew Better / Forever BoyLeave Me LonelyLet Me Love YouMoonlightSide To SideSometimesStep On UpThinking Bout YouTouch It
Unreleased 1st Unknown Dangerous Woman OuttakeAll ThatAriana BeatBaby LovesControlGot Her OwnHiHourglassHow You FeelKnew Better Part TwoLeave Me Lonely (Reprise)MonsterOh, YeahOn & OnXanadu
Artists
Ariana GrandeFutureJamie FoxxLil WayneMacy GrayNicki MinajQuavoTakeoffTayla ParxVictoria Monét
Tour
Dangerous Woman Tour
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