In April 2013, SZA released her S EP to good critical reviews— in July of that same year, it was announced she was signed to Top Dawg Entertainment and began working on her Z EP, which would eventually become a full-fledged album. Z was released in April 2014.
Her debut album, CTRL was released on June 9, 2017 through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, James Fauntleroy, and Isaiah Rashad. Upon release, CTRL was a massive critical and commercial success, and catapulted SZA into fame. The record debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200. The album then received acclaim from music critics, many praised its cohesiveness and production, as well as SZA's vocal delivery. In 2018, CTRL received 4 Grammy nominations. She was then nominated Best New Artist. The album was ranked at 472 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, her first to do so.
After a 5 year hiatus from music, SZA released her second studio album, SOS on December 9, 2022 through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records.The album features guest appearances from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. Six singles were released between 2020 and 2023 to promote SOS, five were top-ten hits on the US Billboard Hot 100. The fifth, "Kill Bill", was SZA's first song to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, SZA's first to do so, and also broke the record for the largest streaming week for an R&B album in the US alone. Several media publications ranked it as one of the best albums of 2022 and 2023. In 2023, it was ranked number 351 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, joining her debut album CTRL on the list.
To continue to promote the album, SZA had embarked on a North American, European, and Australian arena tour, the SOS Tour, from February 2023 to April 2024.
At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, the album and its tracks received a total of nine nominations, including Album of the Year, and won Best Progressive R&B Album. The record was a total commercial success.
“LANA" is the upcoming third studio album/deluxe of SZAs second studio album “SOS" released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. “Saturn" was released as the album's lead single on February 22, 2024, and was teased and performed at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards. SZA said herself that this deluxe became a whole other album. The album will be approximately 15 songs, and will include leaked songs from SOS. The deluxe was hinted at on December 10, 2023 through various photos posted on her Instagram captioned “LANA”.
Although there is no release date set, SZA did confirm the record will be released sometime in 2024.
Open Arm
SZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you do your best, hell, that's all you can do
You, me and anybody else
So they always start talkin'
Ooh
Runnin' away from where I'm from
Never can stay with no one
When no ones around me, you lost and found me
I was surrounded
With open, open, open, open arms (ooh)
Open arms, you keep me open
I'm so devoted
You keep me open, open arms
I'm so devoted to you, to you, to you
Spent your life bein' hopeless
Chokin' on insecurity
I know all this is bad
But, please, put a leash on me anyway
Who needs self-esteem anyway?
I hate myself to make you stay
Push me away, I'll be right here
With open, open, open, open arms (ooh)
Open arms, you keep me open
I'm so devoted
You keep me open, open arms
I'm so devoted to you, to you, to you
No matter what come between us, yeah, I decided (ayy)
I'm forever ridin' (whoa), you're forever guidin' (ayy)
Pull up on an opp, hit his curb up, slide it (brr)
Notice when you mad, ain't no words, just silence (ooh)
You my favorite color, now you seein' every shade of me
You say that I'm trippin', I hit back like, "Where you takin' me?"
Locked in for life, on God, no replacin' me
Consequences, repercussions, karma keep on changin' me
For you I try, face card valid, ID
C'est la vie, go to Paris, it ain't five-star, it ain't me
Over-solid, keep it concrete, I'ma bet it on your whole fee
Just don't switch sides, I could fire piece your wrist, AP
Through the ups and downs and all the heat
Take a turn and tell you what it be
Backshots make you feel relief, anything, just don't you ever leave
I guess I gotta go
I guess it's time to go
I gotta let you go
(I'm so devoted)
You keep me open
Gotta let you go, gotta let you go
I gotta let you go, I must
You're the only one that's holdin' me down
(You're the only one holdin' me down)
('Cause I'm the only one that's holdin' me down)
In SZA's song "Open Arms," she seems to be expressing her deep devotion to a loved one. She starts off by saying that one should always try their best, and that's all they can do. She then talks about how the person she loves keeps her open and devoted to them, even when she feels hopeless and insecure. She is willing to hate herself just to make the person stay, and despite the ups and downs, she is steadfastly committed to them. Towards the end of the song, SZA seems to be accepting that she has to let go of this person, but they will forever hold a special place in her heart.
The lyrics of "Open Arms" are quite emotional and raw, and seem to touch on themes of love, devotion, and self-sacrifice. SZA's hauntingly beautiful voice adds to the intensity of these emotions, making the listener feel the intense pain and longing that she expresses.
Line by Line Meaning
When you do your best you ca-, I done told you
Even when you try your hardest, sometimes it may not be enough, but that's okay
When you do your best, hell, that's all you can do
Giving your best effort is all that can truly be asked of you
You and me and anybody else
This applies to everyone, not just us
So they always start talkin'
People always gossip and have something to say regardless of the situation
Runnin' away from where I'm from
Trying to escape from the place where I grew up
Never can stay with no one
It's difficult for me to form a lasting relationship with anyone
Loving you almost feels like something
Being close to you feels almost like having something tangible
When no ones around me, you lost and found me
When I felt lost and alone, you were there to offer support
I was surrounded
Despite feeling lost and alone, I had you with me
Open arms, you keep me open
Being close to you allows me to be vulnerable and open
I'm so devoted to you, to you, to you
I have a strong loyalty and commitment to you as a person
Spent your life bein' hopeless
Feeling hopeless has been a recurring theme in my life
Chokin' on insecurity
My insecurity has been suffocating and all-consuming
I know all this is bad
I'm aware that my negative thoughts and emotions can be harmful
But, please, put a leash on me anyway
Although I know it's not healthy, I need you to hold me accountable
Who needs self-esteem anyway?
I have a low opinion of myself and don't prioritize building self-esteem
I hate myself to make you stay
My self-hatred causes me to believe that I don't deserve your love and must do more to keep it
Push me away, I'll be right here
Even if you try to distance yourself from me, I'll still be present and devoted to you
No matter what come between us, yeah, I decided (ayy)
Despite any obstacles or challenges we may face, I'm committed to you
I'm forever ridin' (whoa), you're forever guidin' (ayy)
I will always support you and be there for you, while you lead and guide me
Pull up on an opp, hit his curb up, slide it (brr)
I'm willing to go to extreme lengths to protect and defend you, even if it means resorting to violence
Locked in for life, on God, no replacin' me
Our bond is unbreakable and I know that I am irreplaceable in your life
Consequences, repercussions, karma keep on changin' me
The negative consequences of my actions have forced me to change and grow as a person
For you I try, face card valid, ID
I'm willing to do anything for you, even if it means putting myself in danger
C'est la vie, go to Paris, it ain't five-star, it ain't me
I'm content with the simple things as long as I'm with you, even if it means not living a luxurious lifestyle
Over-solid, keep it concrete, I'ma bet it on your whole fee
I'm loyal and devoted to you, and will do anything to ensure your safety and wellbeing
Just don't switch sides, I could fire piece your wrist, AP
I'm fiercely protective of our relationship and will retaliate if anyone tries to come between us
Through the ups and downs and all the heat
Being with you has brought both good and bad times, but I'm willing to weather it all
Take a turn and tell you what it be
I'm always willing to be open and honest with you about my thoughts and feelings
Backshots make you feel relief, anything, just don't you ever leave
Although my love may be flawed, I'm willing to do anything to prevent you from leaving me
I guess I gotta go
Our relationship has come to an end
I guess it's time to go
It's time for us to part ways
I gotta let you go
I need to release my hold on you
Gotta let you go, gotta let you go
I must let you go, for both our sakes
You're the only one that's holdin' me down
You're the only person who has truly supported and held me up during difficult times
('Cause I'm the only one that's holdin' me down)
I'm the only person who has my back, but I still need to let you go
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Douglas Ford, Jacques Webster, Michael Uzowuru, Robert Clark Bisel, Solana Rowe, Teo Lucas Halm
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@thewiser845
Runnin' away from where I'm from
Never can stay with no one
Loving you almost feels like something
When no ones around me, you lost and found me
I was surrounded
With open, open, open, open arms (ooh)
Open arms, you keep me open
I'm so devoted
You keep me open, open arms
I'm so devoted to you, to you, to you
Spent your life bein' hopeless
Chokin' on insecurity
I know all this is bad
But, please, put a leash on me anyway
Who needs self-esteem anyway?
I hate myself to make you stay
Push me away, I'll be right here
With open, open, open, open arms (ooh)
Open arms, you keep me open
I'm so devoted
You keep me open, open arms
I'm so devoted to you, to you, to you
No matter what come between us, yeah, I decided (ayy)
I'm forever ridin' (whoa), you're forever guidin' (ayy)
Pull up on an opp, hit his curb up, slide it (brr)
Notice when you mad, ain't no words, just silence (ooh)
You my favorite color, now you seein' every shade of me
You say that I'm trippin', I hit back like, "Where you takin' me?"
Locked in for life, on God, no replacin' me
Consequences, repercussions, karma keep on changin' me
For you I try, face card valid, ID
C'est la vie, go to Paris, it ain't five-star, it ain't me
Over-solid, keep it concrete, I'ma bet it on your whole fee
Just don't switch sides, I could fire piece your wrist, AP
Through the ups and downs and all the heat
Take a turn and tell you what it be
Backshots make you feel relief, anything, just don't you ever leave
I guess I gotta go
I guess it's time to go
I gotta let you go
(I'm so devoted)
You keep me open
Gotta let you go, gotta let you go
I gotta let you go, I must
You're the only one that's holdin' me down
(You're the only one holdin' me down)
('Cause I'm the only one that's holdin' me down
@thelonetravelr
I lost my grandmother this year and hearing SZA’s grandmother’s voice in the intro brings tears to my eyes 😢 It’s such a bittersweet feeling.
@brucewayne6582
Sames. Lost My grandmother in July. In a way I listen to this everytime for her 😢.
@liptontea9405
I wish you the best for theses Dark Times my Friend I lost my mom pretty early in my life I know how it feels but Keep Going no matter what might come your way Your Grandmother is watching you... and one Day you will see her again ❤❤
@kyojurorengoku9540
😢oh no I’m sorry 😢 I Lost my grandma 👵🏾 too 😢 ❤my god bless you and your grandma ❤
@brokendreqms
rip
@sundixin1146
I lost my grandma last year, and I didn't even have a chance to see her one last time. The day before I returned to U.S for study in 2019, she cried like a baby while I was about to leave. It was the first time in my life that I had seen her cry like that. I think she knew that it would be the last time she saw me. RIP, I really miss her.
@ItsBunnieKat
That last chorus and “you’re the only one that’s holding me down…” That hit too close to home. 2:45 ❤💔
@nogayelayethiaw3064
Ja
@firefirefly
She said “I’m the only one holding me down” lol
@StephGarcia1
she said both lol@@firefirefly