Songfacts®:

• Here, Ariana Grande sings about a possible romance, but questions whether the intentions of her potential lover are pure. She admits to be excited about the prospect but warns the guy he needs to be honest with her.
• Doja Cat jumps in halfway through on the seductive cut, contributing background vocals and a rap verse. She too wonders if the potential lover is going to be supportive or consider her to be his "trophy girlfriend."
• Grande and Doja Cat recorded "Motive" towards the end of 2019. The "Thank U, Next" singer recalled to Apple Music's Zane Lowe when she first wrote the tune and sent it to the rapper, Doja was in the shower. She told her she loved it and was going to write her verse straight away. Grande said there wasn't a rush, as she had no plans to release any record in the immediate future.
  
  The next day an excited Doja called back with a completed verse. She asked Grande, "How many bars can I take? Because this is mad inspiring and I want to just go." Grande replied: "Take as many bars as you want. Do it. If you're inspired to say stuff, let's go."
• Ariana Grande and Doja Cat wrote the song with:
  
  Grande's go-to collaborators, Victoria Monét and Mr. Franks.
  
  Los Angeles-based songwriter Nija Charles, who previously worked with Grande on her Lady Gaga collaboration "Rain On Me." Charles also contributed towards two other Positions songs: the title track and "Obvious."
  
  Toronto producer Joseph L'Étranger, whose other credits include Quavo's "Workin Me" and Chris Brown and Young Thug's "Say You Love Me."
• Canadian rap producer Murda Beatz helmed the disco-pop-trap track with Grande's right-hand producer Tommy "TBHits" Brown. Mr. Franks and Joseph L'Étranger supplied additional production. This the first time Murda Beatz, who is known for his work with Migos ("MotorSport") and Drake ("Nice For What"), has collaborated with either Ariana Grande or Doja Cat.
• "Motive" has a similar theme to Grande's Charlie's Angels soundtrack song "How I Look On You." On that tune the singer questions whether a lover has true intentions or is using the star for her fame and fortune.
• The bulk of the Positions album seems to be about Grant's real estate mogul boyfriend Dalton Gomez, whom she first dated in early 2020. There is a school of thought that the record takes fans through their love story. She starts with this song, which describes their early days together when Grande was still unsure if Gomez had genuine motives for being with her. The songstress later describes the moment she started falling for him ("Obvious") and then reaches the most comfortable zone of a relationship ("My Hair").