Babylon
SZA Lyrics

Crucify, cru-crucify me
The singer is pleading to be punished, possibly in a religious or metaphorical sense

I can't recall the last time I took advice from anyone
The singer does not trust others' opinions or guidance

Shaped like the figure eight, who trusts pretty girls anyway?
The singer questions the credibility and motives of those who are physically attractive

I'm sure I'll be the death of me
The artist acknowledges their own self-destructive tendencies

I can't recall the last time I took love from anyone
The artist has not willingly accepted love in a long time

I called daddy, who's got one anyway?
The singer is skeptical that anyone truly has a loving and supportive father figure

Are you hating yourself?
The singer questions if their audience is struggling with self-loathing as they are

Do you really hate me?
The artist wonders if their audience truly dislikes them or if it is a projection of self-hatred

Was it worth it?
The artist questions the value of certain actions or decisions

Would you do it again?
The artist asks if their audience would make the same mistake or choice twice

Aren't you tired of always making amends? (oh)
The singer is frustrated with constantly having to apologize or make things right

I know you hate me now (hate)
The artist is certain that their audience currently dislikes them

I bet you hate me now (hate)
The singer is making an assumption that their audience despises them

Bring on the thorny crown (here)
The singer is prepared to bear the consequences of their actions with humility or sacrifice

Cross my heart then I hope to die with a peace of mind (a peace of mind)
The singer hopes for a sense of closure or contentment before they die

Piece together my brain soon as this beat rewind (beat rewind)
The artist is planning to sort out their thoughts or emotions while listening to music

Nitrogen and propane I spike your drink at times (turn up, turn up)
The artist admits to partying or engaging in risky behavior by spiking beverages with compressed gases

I make it hard to swallow this game, you throw up every line
The singer's words or actions can be overwhelming or difficult to accept

I notice people got Napoleon complex but that's my confession
The singer admits to a tendency to belittle or underestimate others

You said that we're equal but I know
The artist believes that they are inherently better or superior to their audience

You're beyond gassing that I'm beyond desperate (yeah that)
The artist implies that their audience often flatters or exaggerates their worth, but the artist still feels unsatisfied or hopeless

6AM on a Friday morning, my darkest hours
The artist is experiencing emotional or mental turmoil during what is typically a happy or exciting time

Them heartless hours
The singer is feeling empty or despondent

My apartment is lost in a coffin
The artist's living space feels like a prison or a place of death

I'm dead to the world like I popped me a couple downers
The singer feels emotionally or mentally numb or drained

Down and out on my luck
The singer is facing misfortune or difficulties

Salt water all on my tux and I call, she don't pick up
The singer is experiencing a grim or embarrassing situation while trying unsuccessfully to contact someone

Then I fall when summer is endin'
The artist feels depressed or hopeless when good times come to an end

I mean there's no pretendin' I'm stuck in my ways and you're offended
The artist is not pretending to change or improve their behavior, even if it upsets others

That's life, that's you, this me, that's vice
The singer accepts the harsh realities of life and their identity or habits as being morally problematic

You're wrong, I'm right, that's right
The singer believes that they are correct and others are mistaken

I belong somewhere on ice
The artist feels isolated or disengaged from the rest of society

I'm colder a new blood type? Even colder
The artist is even more detached and apathetic than before

Cold shoulder, Born Sinner, you know? Cole showed us
The artist is referencing the album 'Born Sinner' by J. Cole, which explores themes of guilt, sin, and redemption

I have nothing to lose, my dark side been well in-tuned
The singer feels they have nothing to gain or lose and is very comfortable with their dark, negative emotions or personality traits

A Gemini go show them faces
The artist references their astrological sign and their ability to display multiple personalities or personas

And this here just one of my moves, Babylon
The singer implies that their current behavior or words are part of a larger strategy or game

Crucify me, crucify
The singer repeats their desire to be punished or judged

Cru-crucify me, crucify, cru-cru
The repetition emphasizes the singer's willingness to accept consequences or blame