Yours Truly cover art

  Studio Album · No. 1

Yours Truly

2013 Republic Records 12 tracks 46 min

Produced by Harmony Samuels, Babyface, Ariel Rechtshaid

Republic Records R&BPop
42%
Authorship
Collaborator

Ariana Grande wrote 5 of 12 documented tracks

Authorship Breakdown 5 / 12 documented

Who wrote the songs?

Scored across the 12 tracks with documented writers, by whether Ariana Grande carries a lyricist or composer credit.

42%
5 trackswritten by Ariana Grande 7 tracksoutside writers
Ariana Grande's roles on this album

Share of the 12 tracks where a band member is credited, by role.

Lyricist42%
Composer42%
Producer8%
Performer100%

By the Numbers

12
Tracks
40
Lyricists
22
Producers
1 million
US Copies Sold
2013
Released
Data Insight

On her debut Yours Truly, Ariana Grande co-wrote several tracks but leaned heavily on her producers, chiefly Babyface and Harmony Samuels, for the album's throwback R&B sound. The lead single 'The Way' is one she did not write; it is credited to Harmony Samuels and his collaborators, interpolates Brenda Russell's 'A Little Bit of Love,' and includes a guest verse from Mac Miller. Her own songwriting voice was present but not yet dominant at this stage of her career.

Yours Truly, released in September 2013, was Ariana Grande's debut studio album, a deliberate throwback to 1990s R&B and doo-wop influences, channeling the vocal traditions of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. The album was produced primarily by Harmony Samuels, with contributions from Babyface and Ariel Rechtshaid, and Grande co-wrote most of its tracks alongside these producers. Her writing involvement on the debut was meaningful but not yet dominant; outside collaborators and professional songwriters still shaped much of the material. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and produced the hit 'The Way' featuring Mac Miller, co-written by Grande and Harmony Samuels, which became her commercial breakthrough. Though critics noted her vocal ability as exceptional from the outset, Yours Truly positioned her as a performer more than a writer, a balance that would shift significantly over subsequent albums.

Track Listing & Credits 12 tracks

Written by the artist Written by outside writers
#TitleLyricist(s)Composer(s)Producer(s)Performers
1
Honeymoon Avenue
Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIAntonio DixonTommy BrownTravis SaylesVictoria McCantsRoahn HyltonDennis JenkinsMaurice Wade Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIAntonio DixonTommy BrownTravis SaylesVictoria McCantsRoahn HyltonDennis JenkinsMaurice Wade Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio DixonThe RascalsTommy BrownMatt SquireTravis Sayles Ariana Grande (Vocals)
2
Baby I #21
Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio DixonPatrick Smith Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio DixonPatrick Smith Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio Dixon Ariana Grande (Vocals)
3
Right There #84
Harmony SamuelsCarmen ReeceLonny BerealJames SmithAl Sherrod LambertAriana GrandeSean AndersonJeff Lorber Harmony SamuelsCarmen ReeceLonny BerealJames SmithAl Sherrod LambertAriana GrandeSean AndersonJeff Lorber Harmony SamuelsJo Blaq Ariana Grande (Vocals)Big Sean (Rap)
4
Tattooed Heart
Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIAntonio DixonMatt SquireAriana GrandeSean Foreman Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIAntonio DixonMatt SquireAriana GrandeSean Foreman Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio DixonThe RascalsMatt SquireNathaniel Motte Ariana Grande (Vocals)
5
Lovin' It
Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIRickey OffordAntonio DixonMark MoralesKirk S. RobinsonNathaniel V RobinsonMark Rooney Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIRickey OffordAntonio DixonMark MoralesKirk S. RobinsonNathaniel V RobinsonMark Rooney Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio DixonThe RascalsRickey Offord Ariana Grande (Vocals)
6
Piano
Harmony SamuelsJahmaal Noel FyffeParker IghileAnisa MoghaddamMoses Ayo SamuelsOlaniyi Michael AkinkunmiAriana Grande Harmony SamuelsJahmaal Noel FyffeParker IghileAnisa MoghaddamMoses Ayo SamuelsOlaniyi Michael AkinkunmiAriana Grande Harmony SamuelsMo-KeyzMikeyJo Blaq Ariana Grande (Vocals)
7
Daydreamin'
Matt SquireTommy BrownVictoria McCants Matt SquireTommy BrownVictoria McCants Matt SquireTommy Brown Ariana Grande (Vocals)
8
The Way #9
Harmony SamuelsAmber StreeterAl Sherrod LambertJordin SparksMalcolm McCormickBrenda Russell Harmony SamuelsAmber StreeterAl Sherrod LambertJordin SparksMalcolm McCormickBrenda Russell Harmony SamuelsSauceAriana Grande Ariana Grande (Vocals)Mac Miller (Rap)
9
You'll Never Know
Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIAntonio Dixon Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsKhristopher Riddick-TynesLeon Thomas IIIAntonio Dixon Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsAntonio DixonThe Rascals Ariana Grande (Vocals)
10
Almost Is Never Enough
Harmony SamuelsCarmen ReeceAl Sherrod LambertMoses Ayo SamuelsOlaniyi Michael AkinkunmiAriana Grande Harmony SamuelsCarmen ReeceAl Sherrod LambertMoses Ayo SamuelsOlaniyi Michael AkinkunmiAriana Grande Harmony SamuelsMo-KeyzMikeyJo BlaqCarmen ReeceTalay RileyMark Asari Ariana Grande (Vocals)Nathan Sykes (Vocals)
11
Popular Song
MikaPriscilla ReneaMathieu JompheStephen Schwartz MikaPriscilla ReneaMathieu JompheStephen Schwartz Greg WellsMikaPeter StengaardNick LittlemoreJason Nevins Ariana Grande (Vocals)Mika (Vocals)
12
Better Left Unsaid
Harmony SamuelsCourtney HarrellAl Sherrod LambertMoses Ayo SamuelsOlaniyi Michael AkinkunmiAriana Grande Harmony SamuelsCourtney HarrellAl Sherrod LambertMoses Ayo SamuelsOlaniyi Michael AkinkunmiAriana Grande Harmony SamuelsMo-KeyzMikeyJo BlaqSauce Ariana Grande (Vocals)

Songwriter & Credit Spotlight 55 contributors

More from Ariana Grande

Frequently Asked Questions Yours Truly

When did Ariana Grande release Yours Truly?
Ariana Grande released her debut studio album Yours Truly on August 30, 2013 through Republic Records. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, making her the first female artist to have a debut album enter atop the chart since January 2010.
Did Ariana Grande write Yours Truly herself?
Ariana Grande co-wrote several songs on Yours Truly but relied on her producers for much of the album. Her lead single 'The Way' was written by Harmony Samuels and his collaborators rather than by Grande.
Who wrote The Way by Ariana Grande?
'The Way' was written by Harmony Samuels, Amber Streeter, Al Sherrod Lambert, Jordin Sparks, and Mac Miller, and it interpolates Brenda Russell's 'A Little Bit of Love,' which adds Russell as a credited writer. Ariana Grande did not receive a writing credit on the song.
Who is featured on The Way by Ariana Grande?
'The Way' features rapper Mac Miller, who delivers a guest verse. The single reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Grande's first top-ten hit.
Who produced Yours Truly by Ariana Grande?
Yours Truly was produced mainly by Babyface and Harmony Samuels, with additional work from Antonio Dixon, Matt Squire, and Tommy Brown. Babyface and Samuels shaped the album's 1990s-influenced R&B sound.
How many copies did Yours Truly by Ariana Grande sell?
Yours Truly is certified Platinum by the RIAA in the United States. It debuted at number one with 138,000 first-week units.

Sources