In this track, SZA talks about being used all the time to the extent of being numb or “Used” to it.
SZA First teased this song in March of 2020 then later posting a snippet in September of the same year. It became a fan favorite from her unreleased songs.
Used
SZA Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Yes, I've been used to being used like this
Ain't no difference, I'm immortalized in my thoughts
Praise to the most high for protection
Over my most prized possessions
Talkin' 'bout my sanity's at a 6.7
Handing out poinsettiasTo my dead homie mothers, prayin' they feel better
Might get shit mindin' my business
Might get shit sharing my vision
Might as well, can't tell if it's even worth
Conversation, need a prayer, do it even work?
All that's for real is forever
Moments stolen taste better
I've been ridin', ridin' through this cold world
Thought you had another, went and caught up with ol' girl
I feel like it's over
Something's callin' to get closer
I'm out of touch, I need your love, oh, it's a mile away
And then you weren't sure, weren't sure, we'll go and hide away
I feel like it's over
Something callin' to get closer
Countin' my blessings twice as much
Let death stress me too much
Can't hide from pressure, too worried I'm living a lie
Can't trust nobody you ain't been broke with
Niggas love to break my focus, bitch, I'm Obi Wan
You caught in the maze, I
Thought it'd be easy to get myself on
I need it, but it takes time
And I'm out of patience, I burnt it with you
Love me better when you try less
I don't take much, just need your honesty, oh
Love will work better when you confess
Feelings don't need discussion
Spend my life discoverin' new shit
I've been ridin', ridin' through this cold world
Thought you had another, went and caught up with ol' girl
I feel like it's over
Something's callin' to get closer
I'm out of touch, I need your love, oh, it's a mile away
And then you weren't sure, weren't sure, we'll go and hide away
I feel like it's over
Something callin' to get closer
In "Used to," SZA reflects on the toxic cycle of being used and how it has become a constant in her life. She claims to be "immortalized in [her] thoughts," meaning that she's grown accustomed to being used and has accepted it as a part of who she is. Despite this, she acknowledges the importance of protection and cherishing her sanity, as she hands out poinsettias to the mothers of her deceased loved ones. SZA contemplates whether her conversations and prayers are even worth it, but holds onto the notion that certain moments that are stolen, taste better than those that are earned.
The second verse of "Used to" sees SZA admitting that she is out of touch and needs love. She implores her lover to try less and love her better through honesty and confession, as feelings don't need a discussion. SZA believes that love requires patience and time, but despite this, she admits to being burnt out with her partner. The chorus repeats throughout the song, expressing SZA's desire to get closer to someone or something, but feeling out of reach and disconnected.
Overall, "Used to" is a somber reflection on the cyclical nature of being used and how it has impacted SZA's life. The song highlights the importance of protection, cherishing sanity, and finding honesty and love in relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, I'll cuss your ass out in a minute
I'm not afraid to speak my mind and defend myself if necessary
Guess I been used to being used like this
I've become accustomed to being taken advantage of
Ain't no difference, I'm immortalized in my thoughts
Being treated poorly is something I've come to expect and it's always on my mind
Praise to the most high for protection
I am grateful to a higher power for keeping me safe
Over my most prized possessions
Above all else, I value my personal well-being
Talkin' 'bout my sanity's at a 6.7
I'm barely holding on to my mental stability
Handing out poinsettias
I'm showing my sympathy for those who have lost loved ones
To my dead homie mothers, prayin' they feel better
I'm offering condolences to the mothers of my friends who have passed away
Might get shit mindin' my business
I might be criticized for staying out of other people's affairs
Might get shit sharing my vision
I might face backlash for sharing my thoughts and ideas
Might as well, can't tell if it's even worth
I might as well do what I want because I'm unsure of the outcome
Conversation, need a prayer, do it even work?
I question whether talking to someone or praying will make a difference
All that's for real, it's forever
The problems and struggles I face are a part of my reality and will never go away
Moments stolen taste better
The few moments of happiness I get are more precious because they're rare
I've been ridin', ridin' through this cold world
I've been fighting my way through a harsh and unforgiving world
Thought you had another, went and caught up with ol' girl
I thought you were seeing someone else and went to confront her
I feel like it's over
I feel like our relationship has come to an end
Somethings callin' to get closer
Despite my doubts, something is telling me to try to salvage our relationship
I'm out of touch, I need your love, oh, it's a mile away
I'm feeling disconnected and distant from you and your love seems out of reach
Need you once girl, once girl, we're goin' out the way
I need you to be there for me and support me, even if it means going to great lengths
Countin' my blessings twice as much
I'm appreciating the good things in my life more than ever
Let death stress me too much
I'm not going to let the fear of death consume me
Can't hide from pressure, too worried I'm living a lie
I can't avoid feeling pressure and I'm afraid that I'm not being true to myself
Can't trust nobody you ain't been broke with
I only trust people who have experienced hard times with me
Yeah, 'cause I don't break my focus, bitch, I'm Obi Wan
I am determined and focused, just like the character Obi Wan from Star Wars
You caught in the maze, I
You're lost and confused
Thought it'd be easy to get myself on
I thought finding success and happiness would be easier
I need it, but it takes time
I want to improve my life, but I know it's a gradual process
And I'm out of patience, I burnt it with you
I've lost my patience, especially with you
Can't lose myself to your ego, I wanna say
I can't let your narcissism bring me down and I want to speak up about it
Love me better when you try less
I want you to show me love without trying so hard to impress me
I don't take much, just need your honesty, oh
I don't require a lot from you, just your honesty
Love will work better when you confess
Our relationship will be stronger if you admit to your mistakes and faults
Feelings don't need discussion
Emotions don't always need to be talked about or analyzed
Spend my life discoverin' new shit
I want to spend my life exploring and learning new things
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Caleb Toliver, Dacoury Natche, Danny McKinnon, Ely Rise, John Hill, John Key, Solana Rowe
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jjared1314
[Verse 1: SZA]
Guess I been used to being used like this
Ain't no difference, I'm immortalizing my thoughts
Praise to the most high for protection
Over my most prized possessions
Talkin' 'bout my sanity's at a 6.7, handin' out poinsettias
To my dead homie mothers, prayin' they feel better
Might get shit mindin' my business
Might get chipped sharin' my vision
Might as well, can't tell if it's even worth conversation
Need a prayer, do it even work?
All that's for real, it's forever
Moments stolen taste better
[Chorus: Don Toliver]
I've been ridin', ridin' through this cold world
Thought you had anothеr, went and caught up with ol' girl
I feel like it's over
Somеthing's callin' to get closer
I'm out of touch, I need your love, I wish a mile away
Then you weren't sure, weren't sure, we're goin' out the way
I feel like it's over
Something callin' to get closer
[Verse 2: SZA]
Countin' my blessings twice as much
Let death stress me too much
Can't hide from pressure, too worried I'm livin' a lie
Can't trust nobody you ain't been broke with
N——— tryna break my focus, bitch, I'm Obi Wan
You caught in the laser
Thought it'd be easy to get myself
Oh, I need you, but it takes time
And I'm out of patience, I burnt it with you
Can't lose myself to your ego, I wanna say
You loved me better when you tried less
I don't take much, just need your honesty, oh
Love will work better when you confess
Feelings don't need discussion
Spend my life discoverin' new shit
[Chorus: Don Toliver]
I've been ridin', ridin' through this cold world
Thought you had another, went and caught up with ol' girl
I feel like it's over
Something's callin' to get closer
I'm out of touch, I need your love, I wish a mile away
Then you weren't sure, weren't sure, we're goin' out the way
I feel like it's over
Something callin' to get closer
@DatDaDatty
don toliver been going crazy with the features this year
@rykuunas
ong
@Buddha_boy06
Reall
@BlueNovaBeats
Dat! You've made it
@synicaal5524
facts
@nadeiahhoward2154
don is a good artist fr very underrated
@yogranddaddyho7505
THE FACT THAT ITS THE EXACT SAME FROM THE UNRELEASED VERSION WARMS MY HEART 🥹
@owendesmond
its rare these days they keep og unreleased
@owendesmond
@44Kilos i actually like it bruh gives me an early 200s vibe
@minxxd
RIGHTTY