By TYLER MUSE

“Got all this time on my hands, might as well cancel our plans,” sings Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber, which sounds just about right during these new and challenging times we are

all facing. You are not the only one feeling alone during quarantine; it is everyone across the country. It has taken a toll on all of us, but this dynamic duo have come to save us from our thoughts with their new hit, “Stuck With U.” 

On April 30, Justin Bieber took to Twitter and tweeted, “special announcement tomorrow at 10 am pst,” and fans went into a frenzy. Six hours later, Ariana Grande took to Twitter in response to Justin’s tweet, “see you there everybody.” It was announced their new collaboration, “Stuck With U” would be released the following week on Friday, May 8. The song is in partnership with the First Responders Children’s Foundation, where all proceeds from the song will go to fund grants and scholarships for children of first responders who have been impacted by COVID-19. Accompanied with the announcement of the song, the two released an instrumental bit asking for fans to help the two create the music video. Ariana posted out asking fans to, “please use this instrumental & send us videos of u being your beautiful selves, dancing with your loved ones, pets, whatever / whoever brings u comfort during this quarantine (even if it’s just u alone. that’s beautiful too.) to be a part of #StuckWithU.” 

When May 8 came, the world was blessed with a beautiful ballad describing the current situation the whole world is facing regarding COVID-19 and quarantine. With lyrics like, “there is no where we need to be,” and “got all this time on my hands,” the song is describing everyone’s lives right now. Ariana said in an interview with Apple Music, “we just wanted to make something fun that also helps and makes people feel, I think, less alone, or be hopefully somewhat uplifting.” The song is not the typical love song that is heard on the radio, it really focuses on the hidden beauty quarantine has brought us. The duo sing about, yes, being, “stuck with you,” but also sing about how we can grow closer with the people we are with and to focus and cherish the time we are having with them during these unprecedented times. The video really brings together the message behind the song. With the help of the public, we see a mashup of all people – couples, families, singles, people with pets – dancing to the song. The people in the video are enjoying their time with each other, as we are all going through the same thing. 

This quarantine-inspired ballad became an instant hit, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on May 23. The song is becoming Ariana’s third number one and Justin’s sixth, but is the third number one debut for both artists. The duo are also the third male-female duo to top the chart within a year, following Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s, “Senorita,” and Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s, “Shallow.”