Open Arm
SZA Lyrics


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When you do your best you ca-, I done told you
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
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)

Overall Meaning

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
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@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



All comments from YouTube:

@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.

23 More Replies...

@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

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