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Karlie Hopping

Prof. Loudermilk

English 1201

16 February 2020

What makes you happy?

“7 Rings” by Ariana Grande and “My Favorite Things” from ​The Sound of Music​ have

similar background music, yet they both have very different meanings. The lyrics for both songs

mention what makes them happy and what fulfills them in life. Although the lyrics mention

similar things, each song conveys something different. These two songs are so different, yet so

similar. Although Ariana Grande’s song “7 Rings” was inspired by “My Favorite Things” by

Julie Andrews, they are very different in the aspect of claiming what makes a person happy. “7

Rings” focuses on material things, stating that money and items make a person happy, while

“My Favorite Things” focuses on the simple things in life that make a person happy.

The​ ​Sound of Music​ is an American musical drama film telling a story about how a nanny

named Maria falls in love with the von Trapp children and their widowed father, Captain von

Trapp. Julie Andrews acts as the nanny, Maria, who takes a job as a governess, or nanny, of the

von Trapp children while she decides whether to become a nun. One night, during a

thunderstorm, the von Trapp children go to her room because they are frightened by the storm.

To comfort them, she sings the song “My Favorite Things”. She sings this song to distract the

children from the scary thunderstorm, and to help them think of all of their favorite things, so

they don’t “feel so bad”. The innocent, short, and sweet tune make the children happy, so they
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begin naming some of their favorite things, bringing joy to the room, allowing them to forget all

about the storm.

In the music video for “7 Rings” by Ariana Grande, Grande made a more hip hop style

song inspired by the classic song, “My Favorite Things” sung by Julie Andrews. The song “7

Rings” mentions some of the things she has been through in her life, and mentions throughout

the song that life is better when you have money and nice things. In the lyrics, she also makes

several references to spending a lot of money on nice things for not only her but for her friends

as well. In the music video, it shows her and her friends dancing at a house party, having a great

time while wearing diamonds, and more, showing off her money. Due to everything being shown

in the video, you can assume that she and her friends are happy because of the money they have

as well as the items they possess. Ariana Grande made this song to prove that she could be

successful despite what anyone else thought or said.

At the beginning of the hit song “7 Rings”, Grande immediately appeals to the emotions

of whoever is listening. The beginning tune gives the listener a sense of familiarity while

hooking them on the memories they may have if they have seen ​The Sound of Music​, or if they

have heard the song “My Favorite Things”. This method is a form of ethos that appeals to the

emotions of the listener. However, “7 Rings” differs in the way that instead of singing about the

innocent things that make a person happy, Grande takes a more materialistic approach. In ​The

Sound of Music,​ they mention “raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, bright copper kettles

and warm woolen mittens”, which are arguably very innocent and simple things that can bring

happiness. Meanwhile, Grande brings very expensive materialistic items into her lyrics by

mentioning, “lashes and diamonds, ATM machines”. She also mentions afterward the line, “Buy
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myself all of my favorite things”, which allows the listener to understand that Grande is trying to

convey that she doesn’t need anyone to buy things for her.

By listening to the lyrics in each song very closely and by viewing each music video, you

can easily see that although the tunes of these two songs are very similar, they convey different

meanings of what brings a person joy. Each song brings in a different audience as well because

of the meaning behind their lyrics. Ariana Grande’s song “7 Rings” true meaning is not just that

money and materialistic items will bring a person joy, but what those things can prove. She

flaunts everything she has in the lyrics because she is showing off her triumphs to the people that

didn’t think she would succeed. This song is very empowering because anyone can relate to this

song if they have ever felt underestimated, or if they are just feeling very confident, independent,

or successful with where they are at in life. The song “My Favorite Things” from ​The Sound of

Music​ encompasses musical and classical lovers, but it is not limited to just that. Based on the

events that occur in the music video, we know that the song was sung to distract the children

from the scary thunderstorm, and to help them think of all of their favorite things, so they don’t

“feel so bad”, therefore, this song is meant for everyone because anyone can think about the

things they are most grateful for to feel better.

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Works Cited

Grande , Ariana. “7 Rings .” ​YouTube​, Republic Records, 17 Jan. 2019,

youtu.be/QYh6mYIJG2Y.

“My Favorite Things from The Sound of Music.” ​YouTube,​ 11 Dec. 2013,

youtu.be/0IagRZBvLtw.