Previously, SZA teased ''Tread Carefully'' , a song intended to be on her 2nd studio album album “Ctrl” by sharing a snippet. It was never released on "Ctrl". However, on September 16, 2018, after announcing that she had revived A, and is already complete, she uploaded a video of her listening to the song, on her Instagram Story.
Tread Carefully
SZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't come around like I used to
Be around like I used to
It's not you, it's me, I got a
A different set of urgencies now
Scared of watchin' my life go down the drain
Can't let it be you in my way, so I
Tread carefully, no panties
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
And now I regret comin' over here
Why you comin' over here?
You know what you're doin'
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (ahh)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
You know what you're doin'
How do you feel fightin' your feelings?
Scared of your feelings, livin' in whiteout
I can't see nothin' but you, starin' down my headlights
Gotta get my head right, damn, I been here all night now
Gotta get my ways together (get your shit together)
Gotta gather all my shit, I said I wouldn't stay all night
But it's seven A.M., I'm gonna miss my next meetin' fuckin' wit' you
Guard's down fuckin' wit' you
I'm makin' bad decisions how I'm livin' and I like it
We're stuck in the feeling (never havin' anybody)
Never feelin' nobody enough
Stuck in the feeling (never havin' anybody)
Got your hands all on me, so I
Tread carefully, no bra
Tread carefully, no panties
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
And now I
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (ahh)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (ahh)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
You know what you're doin'
In this song, SZA expresses her desires and urges while also trying to be cautious and mindful of her actions. She expresses her need to prioritize her own life and goals over romantic relationships, which may drag her down. SZA begins by explaining why she doesn't come around like she used to and mentions that it's not the other person's fault, but due to her own set of urgencies. She also reveals her fear of watching her life slip away and how she can't let anyone get in the way of her goals. Even though she wants to be with the person, she's hesitant since she knows it may not be the best decision for her.
SZA describes her physical attraction to the person and how she can't pretend anymore that she's not interested. She's well aware of the situation and their desires, which makes her feel regretful for even being there in the first place. She struggles with her emotions and the fact that she's so drawn to this person. She reveals her fear of getting too close to someone and ends up making bad decisions that could negatively impact her life. Therefore she tries to tread carefully and takes necessary precautions before making any decisions.
Overall, SZA tries to come to terms with her feelings and acknowledges that this person has as much power over her as she has over him, further complicating the situation. The song shows the importance of being mindful of our actions and emotions and how an individual's goals and desires can conflict with romantic relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
You wonderin' why I (why I)
You might be curious why I don't come around like I used to.
Don't come around like I used to
I am not as present in your life as before.
Be around like I used to
I'm not as accessible or dependable as I used to be.
It's not you, it's me, I got a
My reduced availability has nothing to do with you.
A different set of urgencies now
My priorities have shifted, my concerns are different.
Scared of watchin' my life go down the drain
I'm apprehensive about my future and don't want to waste my time.
Can't let it be you in my way, so I
You should not obstruct my goals and dreams, hence why I'm not as present.
Tread carefully, no bra
Be cautious with me, undressed.
Tread carefully, no panties
Be careful with me, partially unclothed.
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
I try to be careful and maintain control of our intimacy.
And now I regret comin' over here
I'm regretting visiting you because it conflicts with my priorities.
Why you comin' over here?
I question why I even came over since it was not in my best interest.
You know what you're doin'
You are skilled and experienced at being intimate.
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
I can't hide it, I desire you as much as you desire me.
Really want you bad as you want me too (ahh)
I precisely have a strong desire to be intimate with you.
I want you bad as you want me
I have an intense desire to be close to you.
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
I believe it will be fantastic because of your experience and skills in intimacy.
How do you feel fightin' your feelings?
Do you have conflicting feelings that make you anxious?
Scared of your feelings, livin' in whiteout
You're fearful of your emotions and living in a state of confusion.
I can't see nothin' but you, starin' down my headlights
I'm only focused on you and can't see anything else.
Gotta get my head right, damn, I been here all night now
I need to concentrate on my priorities and stop wasting time.
Gotta get my ways together (get your shit together)
I need to get myself together and be more responsible.
Gotta gather all my shit, I said I wouldn't stay all night
I have things to do and noted that I wouldn't stay for a long time.
But it's seven A.M., I'm gonna miss my next meetin' fuckin' wit' you
It's already too late, and I'll be late for my next appointment.
Guard's down fuckin' wit' you
I'm vulnerable and not paying attention to my priorities when I'm with you.
I'm makin' bad decisions how I'm livin' and I like it
I'm making poor choices about how I live my life and enjoying it.
We're stuck in the feeling (never havin' anybody)
We are trapped in an emotional state and do not have anyone to share it with.
Never feelin' nobody enough
We have not met anyone we fully connect with or understand.
Got your hands all on me, so I
You have physical contact with me, so I have to be cautious.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cody Fayne, Solana Rowe, Tyran Levon Donaldson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@donatellanole6191
[Verse 1]
You wonderin' why I (Why I)
Don’t come around like I used to
Play around like I used to
It’s not you, it’s me, I got a
A different set of urgencies now
Scared of watchin' my life go down the drain
Can’t let it be you in my way, so I
[Chorus]
Tread carefully, no bra
Tread carefully, no panties
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
And now I regret comin' over here
Why you comin' over here?
You know what you're doing
[Post-Chorus]
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (Ah)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
[Verse 2]
How do you feel fightin' your feelings?
Scared of your feelings, livin' in whiteout
I can't see nothin' but you, starin' down my headlights
Gotta get my head right, damn, I been here all night now
Gotta get my ways together (Get your shit together)
Gotta gather all my shit, I said I wouldn't stay all night
But it's 7 AM, I'm gonna miss my next meetin' fuckin' wit' you
Guard's down fuckin' wit' you
I'm makin' bad decisions how I'm livin' and I like it
We're stuck in the feeling (Never havin' anybody)
But you're feelin' nobody enough
Stuck in the feeling (Never havin' anybody)
Got your hands all on me, so I
[Chorus]
Tread carefully, no bra
Tread carefully, no panties
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
And now I—
[Post-Chorus]
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (Ah)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
[Outro]
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (Ah)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
@nicheasparagus5225
LYRICS
[Verse 1]
You wonderin' why I (Why I)
Don’t come around like I used to
Play around like I used to
It’s not you, it’s me, I got a
A different set of urgencies now
Scared of watchin' my life go down the drain
Can’t let it be you in my way, so I
[Chorus]
Tread carefully, no bra
Tread carefully, no panties
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
And now I regret comin' over here
Why you comin' over here?
You know what you're doin'
[Post-Chorus]
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (Ah)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
[Verse 2]
How do you feel fightin' your feelings?
Scared of your feelings, livin' in whiteout
I can't see nothin' but you, starin' down my headlights
Gotta get my head right, damn, I been here all night now
Gotta get my ways together (Get your shit together)
Gotta gather all my shit, I said I wouldn't stay all night
But it's 7 AM, I'm gonna miss my next meetin' fuckin' wit' you
Guard's down fuckin' wit' you
I’m makin’ bad decisions how’ I’m livin’ and I like it
We're stuck in the feeling (Never havin' anybody)
But you're feelin' nobody enough
Stuck in the feeling (Never havin' anybody)
Got your hands all on me, so I
[Chorus]
Tread carefully, no bra
Tread carefully, no panties
I tread carefully 'til I'm on top of you
And now I—
[Post-Chorus]
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (Ah)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
[Outro]
I can't front, I want you bad as you want me too
Can't front, really want you bad as you want me too (Ah)
I want you bad as you want me
And I bet it's good 'cause you know what you're doin'
Know what you're doin'
@zewandelovesmusic5434
no wait bc this is the one I was hoping she would release omgggggg we made it out the soundcloud hood 😭😭😭😭😭😭
@deadlyzy5928
FR
@aaliyahbotello4214
Hahah yesss I found my people! 🥰🥰
@tahh_n
Exactly!!
@abdul.1824
YAWP!!!
@Vibez_mn
Yup haha
@ecodabalos3625
this is so fucking good 😭😭😭 Imagine SZA will be the blueprint for every artists to release all the deserving unreleased and underrrated tracks on their past albums. Thank you SZA for taking out the comfort zones of these deserving tracks 😍
@denisebrock5332
I hope come to Savannah Ga I enjoy her.
@delphicmusician1059
Honestly I got like a hundred songs that I never released because of my insecurites and because I think I sound terrible but I just make em to release stress. As of late, Ive been showing em to my friends and family and they seem to like em so I'm kinda getting closer to releasing em because of that. And sza doing this drop just kind solidifed that as you stated.
@mauritius7152
I hope Doja does too at some point, both SZA and Doja have the best unreleased songs😭😭