Songfacts®:

• "Positions" is a sensual slow-burner which focuses on Ariana Grande's romantic dexterity.
  
  Cookin' in the kitchen and I'm in the bedroom
  I'm in the Olympics, way I'm jumpin' through hoops
  Know my love infinite, nothin' I wouldn't do
  That I won't do, switchin' for you
  
  Grande is showing her commitment to her man by switching positions between domestic goddess and lovemaker.
• Grande is probably singing about her relationship with luxury home realtor Dalton Gomez. The pair first started dating in early 2020 and quarantined together during the COVID lockdown. This would have given the songstress plenty of opportunity to impress him with her kitchen and bedroom skills.
• Grande wrote the song with:
  
  Tinashe collaborator Killah B. He co-produced three tracks on the LA singer's 2019 Songs For You album, including the 6lack collaboration "Touch & Go."
  
  Newcomers James Jarvis and Angelina Barrett. Jarvis also plays guitar on the track.
  
  Nija Charles, who previously worked with Ariana Grande on her Lady Gaga collaboration "Rain On Me." The Los Angeles-based songwriter has also worked with Jason DeRulo ("Colors"), Cardi B ("I Do") and Chris Brown ("No Guidance").
• This guitar-laced pop song was produced by:
  
  Atlanta beatmaker London on da Track, who is best known as the producer for the likes of Drake ("Sneakin"), Saweetie ("My Type") and his girlfriend, Summer Walker ("Playing Games").
  
  Los Angeles-based producer Tommy "TBHits" Brown, who has worked with Grande since her 2013 debut, Yours Truly. He contributed towards five of the tracks on Thank U Next, including the title track and "7 Rings."
  
  Another frequent Grande collaborator, Mr. Franks. He co-produced four of her Dangerous Woman tracks and later worked with TBHits on Grande's BlackPink collaboration "Ice Cream."
• Dave Meyers directed the video, which depicts Grande as the President of the United States. It features cameos from two of her frequent collaborators: Tayla Parx plays her right-hand man in the Oval Office, and Victoria Monét shows up in a staff conference. Grande's mom, Joan, appears as a presidential advisor.
  
  Grande's decision to drop the video on October 23, 2020 tied in with the final presidential debate between Republican candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic rival Joe Biden, which took place hours before.
• Ariana Grande started dating comedian and actor Pete Davidson in May 2018. They got engaged the following month, but the pair split up in October of that year. She may be throwing some shade at her ex-fiancé at the start of "Positions."
  
  Heaven sent you to me
  I'm just hopin' I don't repeat history
  
  Soon after the release of the song, fans noticed that Grande splits the word "repeat," making it sound as she's singing "Re-Pete," alluding to their past relationship.
• The song entered the Hot 100 chart at #1. It's was Grande's fifth #1 debut, extending her record for most bows at the top. Grande previously held the record of four #1 debuts, which she achieved in May 2020 when her Lady Gaga team-up "Rain On Me" launched at the summit.