Although the pain motivates SZA to take drastic actions that presumably “ruin everything”, she feels freer than ever without her demanding man.
Seek & Destroy
SZA Lyrics
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Permission to crash, collectin' damages, boy
No reachin' or grabbin' for more clarity now
Seek and destroy, all missiles deployed
Do it to you, do it to you
I had to do it you
Do it to you, ooh-ooh
Do it to you, do it to you
I hate to do it to you
Ooh
Do what I gotta do (ooh-ah-ah)
I can't stand it, the urge
It's so demandin', the purge
So necessary
The art of war, god dammit, I'm drained
Now that I've ruined everything, I cannot complain
Now that I've ruined everything, I'm so fuckin' free
Now that I've ruined everything, keep it all for me
Now that I've ruined everything, space is all I need
Do it to you, do it to you
I had to do it to you
Do it to you, ooh-ooh
Don't make me do it to you
Do it to you, do it to you
I hate to do it to you
Ooh
Do what I gotta do (ooh-ah-ah)
Chasin' fat ass and fake connections
Chasin' facades in all directions
Chances are, I've got no directions
Beggin' my angels for protection (do it to you, oh)
Danger will rise and I'll deflect it
New dick arrives and I erect it
Beggin' my angels for protection
Make him a star, livin' reckless
Oh, oh-oh, oh-oh
Do it to you, do it to you
I had to do it you
Do it to you, ooh-ooh
Don't make me do it to you
Do it to you, do it to you
I hate to do it to you
Ooh
Do what I gotta do (ooh-ah-ah)
All the pain I know
Is used to fuel my soul
No controllin', do it to you, do it to you, oh
All the pain I know
Is used to heal my soul
No controllin', do it to you, do it to you, oh
In SZA's song "Seek & Destroy," she reflects on a toxic relationship where she has reached her breaking point. The lyrics suggest that the other person has pushed her past her limits, causing damage both physically and emotionally. She asks for permission to crash and seeks clarity by destroying everything in her path. The repeated phrase "Do it to you" implies that she has to take control and do what needs to be done, even if it hurts.
The chorus of the song is the most striking part, as it reveals that SZA does not want to hurt anyone, but she feels like she has no choice. It is as if she is warning the other person that she can cause them pain if they continue to cross her boundaries. She sees no other way to protect herself and ensure her survival than by being ruthless.
Overall, "Seek & Destroy" is a powerful song about self-preservation and survival. It shows the darker side of relationships and provides a glimpse into the mind of someone who has reached their breaking point.
Line by Line Meaning
You push me past my own capacity, boy
You cause me to exceed my own limits, making me feel overwhelmed, boy.
Permission to crash, collectin' damages, boy
I'm giving myself the freedom to hit rock bottom and suffer the consequences, boy.
No reachin' or grabbin' for more clarity now
I'm not trying to find any more understanding or insight, now.
Seek and destroy, all missiles deployed
I'm taking aggressive action without hesitation, deploying all resources to attack.
Do it to you, do it to you
I'm going to make things difficult for you, repeatedly.
I had to do it you
I have no choice but to cause you harm.
Do it to you, ooh-ooh
I'm warning you not to push me, or else I'll take action.
Don't make me do it to you
Please avoid provoking me, otherwise I'll proceed to harm you.
Do it to you, do it to you
Again, I will make things tough for you.
I hate to do it to you
I don't want to cause you harm, but I may have to.
Ooh
I'm exasperated by the situation.
Do what I gotta do (ooh-ah-ah)
I will do what I have to do, even if it hurts.
I can't stand it, the urge
I can't resist the feeling.
It's so demandin', the purge
It's a strong, overwhelming urge that requires me to act.
So necessary
It's an imperative that I can't ignore.
The art of war, god dammit, I'm drained
My situation is similar to the complexities of warfare, and it's exhausting me emotionally, damn it.
Now that I've ruined everything, I cannot complain
I can't complain now that I've caused destruction.
Now that I've ruined everything, I'm so fuckin' free
Now that everything is destroyed, I feel a sense of freedom.
Now that I've ruined everything, keep it all for me
I want to keep everything to myself now that everything is ruined.
Now that I've ruined everything, space is all I need
All I need now is space after causing destruction.
Chasin' fat ass and fake connections
I'm pursuing meaningless and shallow relationships.
Chasin' facades in all directions
I'm searching for superficial things in various directions.
Chances are, I've got no directions
I likely have no concrete goals or plans.
Beggin' my angels for protection (do it to you, oh)
I'm asking for divine protection, while letting you know I might hurt you.
Danger will rise and I'll deflect it
If danger comes up, I'll deflect it.
New dick arrives and I erect it
If a new partner arrives, I'll pursue them passionately.
Beggin' my angels for protection
Again, I'm asking for divine protection.
Make him a star, livin' reckless
I'm making my partner into a star, living irresponsibly.
All the pain I know
I'm familiar with pain.
Is used to fuel my soul
I use that pain to motivate me.
No controllin', do it to you, do it to you, oh
I can't control myself, and as a result, I'll make things tough for you repeatedly.
All the pain I know
Again, I'm used to pain.
Is used to heal my soul
I take that pain and use it to heal myself.
No controllin', do it to you, do it to you, oh
I can't help but make things tough for you repeatedly.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carter Lang, Cody Jordan Fayne, Robert Clark Bisel, Solana I. Rowe, Tyran Levon Jr. Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@vanigglia
You push me past my own capacity, boy
Permission to crash, collectin' damages, boy
No reachin' and grabbin', far more clarity now
Seek and destroy, oh, missiles deployed
[Chorus]
Do it to you, do it to you
I had to do it to you
Do it to you, oh-oh-oh-woah-ah
Don't make me do it to you
Do it to you, do it to you
I hate to do it to you, damn
Do what I gotta do (Ooh-ah-ah-ah-ah)
[Verse 2]
I can't stand it, the urge
It's so demandin', I'm hurt
So necessary, the art of war
God damn, man, I'm dreamin'
Now that I've ruined everything, I cannot complain
Now that I've ruined everything, I'm so fuckin' free
Now that I've ruined everything, keep it all for me
Now that I've ruined everything, space is all I need
[Chorus]
Do it to you, do it to you
I had to do it to you
Do it to you, oh-oh-oh-woah-ah
Don't make me do it to you
Do it to you, do it to you (Oh-oh, ah-ah)
I hate to do it to you, damn
Do what I gotta do (Ooh-ah-ah-ah-ah)
[Bridge]
Chasin' fatter ass and fake connections
Chasin' for signs in all directions
Chances I ride, got no directions
Beggin' my angels for protection (Do it to you, oh)
Danger arise and not deflectin'
New dick arrives and I erect it
Beggin' my angels for protection
Make him a star, they directless
Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh
[Chorus]
Do it to you, do it to you
I had to do it to you
Do it to you, oh-oh-oh-woah-ah
Don't make me do it to you
Do it to you, do it to you (Oh-oh, ah-ah)
I hate to do it to you, damn
Do what I gotta do (Ooh-ah-ah-ah-ah)
[Outro]
All the hate I know
Is used to fuel my soul
No controllin'
Do it to you, do it to you, uh
All the hate I know
Is used to heal my soul
No controllin'
Do it to you, do it to you, oh
@r.e.m_maraj1
THE PRODUCTION SCRATCHES MY BRAIN SOME TYPA WAY 😩😩😩
@aura5133
Oh baby there’s more this is just 1 of many! Lol
@jaraudmorris770
Nah the production is CRAZZZZYY
@halmittens
it feels like O0rbbrr * () ()
@jaynice2208
THATS ACTUALLY WHAT I THOUGHT
@christinag1998
It’s her vulnerability, her angst, her rage, and all those emotions she poured in this track. I love it 😢!
@keschaadtarver8139
LIKE!?!?!? IT'S PALPABLE
@ParlayParri24
That's a fact.. her rage is evident on this whole album
@paolawarda3626
A❤ as-.
@Gorttheduck
Metallica did it better