It only dropped a few days ago, but it’s indisputable that Ariana Grande’s latest single “thank u, next,” has taken the internet by storm. In just one track, Grande has created both a powerful anthem about self-love and growth—and a powerful incubator for memes. The song has already inspired a misheard lyric meme, and now people across all kinds of fandoms are interpreting the song in a more literal way.
“Thank u, next” is Grande’s breakup anthem to Pete Davidson after calling off their engagement, but in the song she acknowledges all her other ex-boyfriends and what they taught her. The first pre-chorus goes like this: “One taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain.”
One taught me love (Big Sean)
— Amy 🐝 (@AmySwagJB) November 4, 2018
One taught me patience (Ricky)
And one taught me pain (Mac Miller)
Thank u, next (Pete)
Sorry I had to 😂 #ThankUNext pic.twitter.com/35uvdCq3Vk
The memes, naturally, correlate to trios that have taught people love, patience, or pain. Take the three dads from Mamma Mia, for example.
One taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain. Now I’m so amazing. pic.twitter.com/Sz19khGZjm
— Ryan Bloomquist (@ryanbloomquist) November 4, 2018
Or childhood staples that came in threes.
https://twitter.com/ayoedebiri/status/1059446249961730049
one taught me love. one taught me patience. one taught me pain. pic.twitter.com/C7EhICwpUB
— . (@jaboukie) November 5, 2018
We can’t forget about the Jonas Brothers.
one taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain pic.twitter.com/ELvFUwiyfv
— aí é que tá (@carolmarconi) November 5, 2018
And, of course, Michael from The Office had to be part of the conversation.
One taught me love, one taught me patience, and one taught me pain pic.twitter.com/yOJYuPobkf
— The Office on Peacock (@theofficetv) November 5, 2018
It’s not hard to think of heroes through time who taught us those important lessons.
One taught me love
— Danny Peter Smith (@dannypetersmith) November 5, 2018
One taught me patience
And one taught me pain
And one still won’t agree to film the 3rd movie pic.twitter.com/URaGxD1LSC
https://twitter.com/PatchNavillus/status/1059486943170478080
Then there’s Aang and Katara’s love story in Avatar: The Last Airbender.
ONE TAUGHT ME LOVE, ONE TAUGHT ME PATIENCE, ONE TAUGHT ME PAIN, NOW IM SO AMAZING pic.twitter.com/J38Tj1fANH
— morgan sung (@morgan_sung) November 5, 2018
It’s not just people who teach us lessons about love, patience, or pain.
One taught me love.
— Brit (@bsmartbme) November 5, 2018
One taught me patience.
One taught me pain. pic.twitter.com/LFe801zEZg
But it takes a true star like Lady Gaga or RuPaul to teach you all three.
One taught me love, one taught me patience and one taught me pain. pic.twitter.com/PTD6k24xJj
— Alex Goldschmidt (@alexandergold) November 5, 2018
one taught me love
— fem top (@gayandold) November 5, 2018
one taught me patience
one taught me pain pic.twitter.com/IXVsVWVXJV
