The Anonymous Ones
SZA Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ever look at all the people
Seem to know exactly how to be
(How to be, how to be now, how to be)
You think they don't need piles
Of prescriptions to function naturally?
(Functioning natural)

Take a look and you might just catch it
Stay a minute more
(Minute more, minute more now, minute more)
There's a little moment after the sunny smile
Their eyes fall to the floor
(To the floor, to the floor now, to the floor)

And then truth starts peaking through
They're a lot like me and you
They can fake a smile too

The anonymous ones
Who never let you see the hate they carry
(They carry, they carry, they carry)
All those anonymous ones
Never named the quiet pain they bury
(They bury, they bury, they bur-)
Keep on keeping secrets
That they think they have to hide
What if everybody's secret is
They have that secret side?

And to know, to know we're not alone
Is all we're hoping for
I don't wanna be anonymous
I ain't gotta be anonymous
I don't wanna be anonymous anymore




(Anymore)

Spot the girl who stays in motion
Spins so fast so she won't fall
(World moving so fast, too fast)
She has built a wall of her redeemers
Keep out the question
Without it, is she worth anything at all?

Then truth starts peaking through
They're a lot like me and you
They can fake a smile too

The anonymous ones
Never let you see the hate they carry
(They carry, they carry, they carry)
All those anonymous ones
Never named the quiet pain they bury
(They bury, they bury, they bur-)

I don't wanna be anonymous
I ain't gotta be anonymous
I don't wanna be anonymous anymore

The parts you can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not, heavy, heavy

Anonymous ones
Never let you see the hate they carry
(They carry, they carry, they carry)
All those anonymous ones
Never named the quiet pain they bury

Keep on keeping secrets
That they think they have to hide
What if everybody's secret is
They have that secret side?

And to know, to know we're not alone
Is all we're hoping for
I don't wanna be anonymous
I ain't gotta be anonymous
I don't wanna be anonymous anymore

Overall Meaning

In "The Anonymous Ones," SZA explores the hidden struggles and vulnerabilities that individuals carry beneath their outward appearance and personas. The song suggests that despite the facade people may present to the world, many are dealing with pain, secrets, and a desire to be seen and understood.


The opening lines reflect on the observation of others who seem to effortlessly navigate life and maintain a sense of confidence and stability. SZA questions if these individuals actually need medication or external substances to function naturally. However, she invites us to look closer and notice the brief moments where their smiles falter, revealing hidden truths and insecurities. This implies that even those who seem to have it all together can also experience pain and put on a facade to cope with it.


SZA then delves into the idea of the "anonymous ones," describing those who silently carry hate and bury their quiet pain without ever revealing it to the world. There is a sense of isolation in keeping these secrets, as many believe they must hide their true selves. However, she poses the notion that perhaps everyone has their own secret side, and by recognizing and acknowledging this, we can find solace in the knowledge that we are not alone in our struggles.


The song ultimately expresses a desire to break free from anonymity, to no longer hide behind a facade, and to be seen and understood for who we truly are. There is a yearning for connection and a recognition that everyone carries their own burdens and secrets, despite appearances.


Line by Line Meaning

Ever look at all the people
Have you ever observed all the individuals around you


Seem to know exactly how to be
Appearing to have a thorough understanding of how to exist


(How to be, how to be now, how to be)
(Knowing how to be, at this moment, knowing how to be)


You think they don't need piles
You believe they do not require large quantities


Of prescriptions to function naturally?
Of prescribed medications to function in a natural manner?


(Functioning natural)
(Functioning in a natural way)


Take a look and you might just catch it
Observe closely and you might just notice


Stay a minute more
Remain for a little while longer


(Minute more, minute more now, minute more)
(Just a few more minutes, a few more minutes now, a few more minutes)


There's a little moment after the sunny smile
After the cheerful expression, there exists a brief period


Their eyes fall to the floor
Their gaze shifts downwards towards the ground


(To the floor, to the floor now, to the floor)
(Towards the floor, towards the floor now, towards the floor)


And then truth starts peaking through
Subsequently, the truth begins to become visible


They're a lot like me and you
They share many similarities with you and me


They can fake a smile too
They are also capable of feigning a smile


The anonymous ones
Those who remain unidentified


Who never let you see the hate they carry
Who never expose the anger they bear


(They carry, they carry, they carry)
(They endure, they endure, they endure)


All those anonymous ones
All of those hidden individuals


Never named the quiet pain they bury
Never explicitly acknowledged the silent agony they conceal


(They bury, they bury, they bur-)
(They conceal, they conceal, they bur...)


Keep on keeping secrets
Continue to withhold secrets


That they think they have to hide
Which they believe they must conceal


What if everybody's secret is
Consider the possibility that everyone's secret is


They have that secret side?
They possess a hidden aspect?


And to know, to know we're not alone
Acknowledging, understanding that we are not solitary


Is all we're hoping for
Is the only thing we are desiring


I don't wanna be anonymous
I do not wish to remain unidentified


I ain't gotta be anonymous
I do not have to be anonymous


I don't wanna be anonymous anymore
I no longer desire to be unidentified


(Anymore)
(No longer)


Spot the girl who stays in motion
Observe the girl who constantly stays active


Spins so fast so she won't fall
Rotates rapidly in order to avoid stumbling


(World moving so fast, too fast)
(The world is moving so rapidly, excessively fast)


She has built a wall of her redeemers
She has constructed a barrier of her saviors


Keep out the question
To prevent the intrusion of inquiries


Without it, is she worth anything at all?
Without it, does she possess any value whatsoever?


The parts you can't tell, we carry them well
The aspects you are unable to discern, we bear them skillfully


But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
However, that does not imply that they are not burdensome


The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
The aspects we are unable to reveal, we bear them skillfully


But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
However, that does not imply that they are not burdensome


The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
The aspects we are unable to disclose, we bear them skillfully


But that doesn't mean they're not, heavy, heavy
However, that does not mean they are not, arduous, arduous


Anonymous ones
Unidentified individuals


Never let you see the hate they carry
Never allow you to witness the anger they harbor


(They carry, they carry, they carry)
(They endure, they endure, they endure)


All those anonymous ones
All of those hidden individuals


Never named the quiet pain they bury
Never explicitly acknowledged the silent anguish they conceal


(They bury, they bury, they bur-)
(They conceal, they conceal, they bur...)


I don't wanna be anonymous
I do not wish to remain unidentified


I ain't gotta be anonymous
I do not have to be anonymous


I don't wanna be anonymous anymore
I no longer desire to be unidentified




Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Amandla Stenberg, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@johnfran3218

When things were at their very worst:
2 Suns, Cross in the sky, 2 comets will collide = don`t be afraid – repent, accept Lord`s Hand of Mercy.
Scientists will say it was a global illusion.
Beware – Jesus will never walk in flesh again.
After WW3 – rise of the “ man of peace“ from the East = Antichrist – the most powerful, popular, charismatic and influential leader of all time. Many miracles will be attributed to him. He will imitate Jesus in every conceivable way.
Don`t trust „pope“ Francis = the False Prophet
- will seem to rise from the dead
- will unite all Christian Churches and all Religions as one.
One World Religion = the seat of the Antichrist.
Benedict XVI is the last true pope - will be accused of a crime of which he is totally innocent.

"Arab uprising will spark global unrest – Italy will trigger fall out"

"Many events, including ecological upheavals, wars, the schism in My Church on Earth, the dictatorships in each of your nations – bound as one, at its very core – will all take place at the same time."

The Book of Truth.



@OrianeVansy

Lyrics

Ever look at all the people
Who seem to know exactly how to be?
How to be, how to be, no
How to be
You think they don't need piles
Of prescriptions to function naturally?
Functioning natural

Take a look and you might catch it
Stay a minute more
Minute more, minute more now
Minute more
There's a little moment after the sunny smile
Their eyes fall to the floor
To the floor, to the floor, now
To the floor

And then truth starts peaking through
They're a lot like me and you
They can fake a smile too

The anonymous ones
Who never let you see the ache they carry
They carry, they carry, they carry
All those anonymous ones
Never name the quiet pain they bury
They bury, they bury, they bear
Keep on keeping secrets
That they think they have to hide
What if everybody's secret is
They have that secret side?

And to know, to know we're not alone
Is all we're hoping for
I don't wanna be anonymous
I ain't gotta be anonymous
I don't wanna be anonymous anymore
Anymore

Spot the girl who stays in motion
Spins so fast so she won't fall
World spinning so fast, too fast
She's built a wall of her achievements
To keep out the question
Without it, is she worth anything at all?

Then truth starts peaking through
They're a lot like me and you
They can fake a smile too

The anonymous ones
Never let you see the weight they carry
They carry, they carry, they carry
All those anonymous ones
No one named the quiet pain they bury
They bury, they bury, they bear

I don't wanna be anonymous
I ain't gotta be anonymous
I don't wanna be anonymous anymore

The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not heavy
The parts we can't tell, we carry them well
But that doesn't mean they're not... heavy, heavy

The anonymous ones
Never let you see the weight they carry
They carry, they carry, they carry
All those anonymous ones
No one named the quiet pain they bury

Keep on keeping secrets
That they think they have to hide
What if everybody's secret is
They have that secret side?

And to know, to know we're not alone
Is all we're hoping for
I don't wanna be anonymous
I ain't gotta be anonymous
I don't wanna be anonymous anymore



All comments from YouTube:

@scottiejr888

Sza is like that beautiful girl you meet a house party…that’s shy but cool asf. She’ll give you good conversation, then once you come back from using the restroom, she’ll be gone. Having you asking everyone who she is and wondering how can you see her again.

@haxlyna255

THIS WTF 😭😭😭😭

@sweetcaramel4750

YES

@lari13s

This is so specific😂 but I’m here for it

@aliciabyul9550

Damn😃

@domotemujin7780

Extremely specific but the accuracy 😭😭😭

38 More Replies...

@JzonAzari

SZA is such a beautiful being and her music matches that.

@aaronarnold5608

All of my lyrics people understand how much she is saying.

@emmaxuelhemmero2-past626

She's a 7.

@TerryBrightlife

Well said !!!

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