Best song?

KingofSweden,

Thank-you for your thoughts. I also consider myself a solid fan. My choices differ slightly from yours, mainly because I lean toward more of Ariana's R&B material.

Best from Yours Truly
1)Honeymoon Avenue (she sounds most like herself with small Tamia influences)
2)Right There (I love the Mariah Carey sound, lots of fun)
3)Tattooed Heart (this song brought the house down at her concert)
4)You'll Never Know
5)Baby I (love the Babyface trademark sound; great vocal gymnastics)
6)Lovin' It (love her confidence in this song)

I'm not as big a fan from the more pop sounding My Everything. In fact, outside of "Problem", I'm not a huge fan of her singles; some of the big time producers on this album limited her strong vocals from her debut, toning her down a bit; but here are what I think are the best from the Deluxe Edition:

1)Be My Baby (very sassy vocal, and the Cashmere Cat remix is even better)
2)Only One (mature song, lots of emotion in her voice)
3)Best Mistake (good song, I wish she added another verse for her part)
4)Hands on Me (this song is like a cool roller coaster and has a great breakdown)
5)Too Close (nice upbeat track)

Honorable mentions go to "Almost is Never Enough", "Piano", and "Cadillac Song".
I feel Ariana sounds the most genuine when she is part of the songwriting process.

Best Miscellaneous songs:"Adore" with Cashmere Cat and "Research" with Big Sean.

The best songs overall:

"Only One" is beautiful with a high range only Ariana can sustain with a heartfelt sincerity; "Baby I" and "Right There" for great 90s fun, "Tattooed Heart", for a powerhouse vocal, and "Honeymoon Avenue" for the song that best represents Ariana as an artist.

You have great taste! It's nice to see another listener who takes Ariana seriously as an artist.

Admittedly, what gives much of the stars their lasting success is their producer(s), people with good ears who know how best to utilize their artists' vocals for commercial and hopefully critical success. I think Ariana has chosen good producers for notability, but I agree with you that My Everything is a step down of sorts to Yours Truly. The standout tracks on her freshman album really force you to take notice of Ariana's incredible talent, whereas with her sophomore effort, many of the tracks are forgettable.

What feel do you think her third album will have? I hope it leans closer to her first album than her second.

The world looks to Sweden. 

You also have great taste! It's hard to find people on these boards who want to discuss Ariana as a artist.

Now on to the all important 3rd album. If her record company gives Ariana the freedom she had on Yours Truly, then I believe she will lean closer to the R&B theme she had on her debut. After all, she did state she came to L.A. to go into music to make a great R&B album.

If her record company wants her to compete with the Katy Perrys' and Rihannas' of the world, then we will get more music like My Everything. Its not a bad album, but like you said, the tracks are more forgettable and the album was not a cohesive effort. It was all over the place. As one reviewer wrote, she sometimes felt like a guest star on her own album, which is a shame.

An executive at Republic records stated that Ariana had to give up control on My Everything so they could direct her career more. I can't deny the results: for what she lacks in album sales she makes up for in more exposure, saturated radio airplay, notable collaborations and singles, and two Grammy nominations.

I really hope she can take full control again and get more of the songs she writes released. She knows music and what she is doing in the studio. If there is anyone left at her label and on her team who cares about cultivating a singer, an actual true artist, and let her golden vocals soar, then I think her 3rd effort will be amazing.

R&B music is considered old school and no way to sustain success and global domination. But Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson did it. So can Ariana.

I say Honeymoon Avenue and Why Try.

That was such a great post; comprehensive and insightful. While I do agree the sound of her first album is best, I want to see Ms. Grande go on and win a solid number of Grammys. She has the voice and the talent; she needs the career validation to back it up and ensure she'll keep making music.

I want to see Ms. Grande go on and win a solid number of Grammys

I sure hope so, too. She definitely has the potential. 

Meanwhile, my faves?

Put Your Hearts Up
Popular Song (w/MIKA)
Honeymoon Avenue
Problem (either with or without Ke$ha part II....er....Iggy Azalea. )
Break Free
One Last Time

In fact, on my summer mixes, I have included an Ariana song on each compilation. I intend to put One Last Time on this year's mix. 

Joker's Wilde

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Anyone here like the Human League?

Honeymoon Avenue
Right There
Lovin' It
You'll Never Know
Almost is Never Enough
Best Mistake
Be My Baby
Break Your Heart Right Back
Love Me Harder
Just a Little Bit of Your Heart

 Don't eva let nobody tell you you ain't strong enough 

I like your list rmcrae_deluxe. Looks like Honeymoon Avenue is a personal favorite of most fans.