Introduction: A Haunting and Emotional Track
"Another Life" by SZA, from the album Lana (SOS Deluxe), is a hauntingly beautiful track that delves into the complexities of love and longing. The song is built around a spacely, washed-out instrumental, which perfectly complements SZA’s dynamic vocal performance. Her voice soars with emotional depth, conveying a yearning that is palpable. The beat, though minimalist, creates a vast, ethereal atmosphere, drawing the listener into a world of what-ifs and could-have-beens, setting the stage for an introspective exploration of love lost and the pain of not being able to make things right in the present.
Lyrics of Longing and Vulnerability
The lyrics in "Another Life" paint a vivid picture of someone caught between desire and self-preservation. In the opening verse, SZA expresses a longing to be close to someone, yet hesitates to risk perfection, suggesting a fear of vulnerability and loss. The pre-chorus further reflects this hesitation, as she contemplates her own emotions and her partner's control over her. The vulnerability in SZA’s delivery during this section is striking, highlighting the internal conflict she feels between wanting to connect deeply and fearing the consequences of that connection.
Chorus: Imagining What Could Have Been
The chorus of "Another Life" is a powerful statement of longing and regret, as SZA imagines a version of life where circumstances align perfectly. She sings about riding out with her partner "in another life," where time and fate allow them to fully explore their connection. The repetition of this sentiment amplifies the sense of unfulfilled desire, as SZA mourns what could have been. The idea of "another life" is a recurring theme throughout the song, underscoring the sense of hopelessness in the present moment, yet offering a glimmer of hope for an alternate reality where love can thrive.
Self-Awareness and Empowerment in the Second Verse
In the second verse, SZA shifts her focus from longing to self-awareness, recognizing that she no longer wants to be the one who is constantly chasing or fixing a broken dynamic. She admits that she's done trying to be someone's favorite or to play by their rules, signaling a shift in her sense of self. The vulnerability she shows here is raw and honest, revealing a desire to protect her own dignity and self-respect, even if it means stepping away from a love that once consumed her. This self-empowerment adds an extra layer of emotional complexity to the song.
Outro: A Bittersweet Conclusion
The outro of "Another Life" brings the song to a haunting conclusion, with SZA's repeated pleas to not be forgotten. The repetition of the word "ride" creates a sense of obsessive longing, and the imagery of returning to a love that has passed adds a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. The outro ties back to the song's central theme of alternate realities and unfulfilled desires, leaving listeners with a bittersweet feeling of what could have been. "Another Life" is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the eternal question of whether things might have been different under different circumstances.
Listen to SZA Another Life
SZA Another Life Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Another Life by SZA is a poignant exploration of longing, missed opportunities, and the bittersweet desire for a different reality. Throughout the song, SZA reflects on a love that seems unfeasible in the present, imagining a world where the timing is right and the circumstances align for a fulfilling connection. The song speaks to the complexities of relationships, where desire and emotional vulnerability clash with the harsh realities of timing and self-worth. By repeatedly invoking the idea of "another life," SZA conveys a sense of yearning for a love that could exist if only things were different, highlighting the tension between idealized love and the limitations of the current moment.
Verse 1: Longing for Proximity and Perfection
"I wanna be right by your side" – Here, SZA expresses a deep desire for closeness, wanting to be physically and emotionally present with someone. "Can't risk perfection, love is timeless" – She acknowledges that love is valuable and enduring, but she is hesitant to jeopardize it by trying too hard or pushing for something that could ruin its natural flow. "Don't wanna throw and wait in line" – SZA expresses reluctance to compete for affection or attention, suggesting that she doesn’t want to wait her turn in a relationship. "I know you're not the strange kind" – She feels secure in her partner's authenticity, understanding that they aren't someone who would cause her confusion or uncertainty.
Pre-Chorus: Anxiety and Control
"Don't wanna make him nervous" – SZA is careful not to push her partner too hard, implying a sense of caution in how she expresses her feelings. "Don't wanna break the surface" – She doesn’t want to dig deeper into their connection if it risks exposing uncomfortable truths or breaking the fragile surface of their relationship. "I'll be as I come in mornings, baby" – This suggests she wants to present herself in her most natural, unfiltered form, just as she is when she wakes up. "Did I let you know you got control on me, baby?" – SZA is acknowledging that her partner has a certain power or influence over her, possibly due to her emotional attachment or vulnerability.
Chorus: A Desire for an Alternate Reality
"In another life, I know we could ride out, boy" – The chorus expresses SZA's yearning for a different version of reality where the conditions are right for her relationship to thrive. "Ride out" symbolizes a carefree escape or adventure, indicating that in an alternate life, they could have a fulfilling connection. "If the time is right, I know we could ride out, boy" – Timing plays a crucial role, and SZA believes that with the right circumstances, their relationship could work out. "In another life, I know we could ride, baby, let me ride" – The repetition of "another life" suggests that she feels their relationship is unfeasible in the present but could be idealized in a different reality. "Won't you love me right out, boy?" – SZA desires to be loved freely and without restraint, yearning for the unconditional affection that she feels she cannot attain in this life.
Verse 2: Rejection of Self-Sacrifice and Need for Change
"I'm tryna be the one you play with, not tryna be the one that stays up" – SZA admits she is seeking a more casual connection without the burden of being someone’s emotional constant. She no longer wants to be the one who stays up worrying or sacrificing herself for the relationship. "Done tryna be your favorite, done tryin' to fix your template" – She is tired of trying to live up to someone else's expectations or trying to mold herself to fit their desires. The line suggests a realization of self-worth and a refusal to continue bending to someone else’s image of her. "I don't wanna be just a shell of me, just another thing in your gallery" – SZA fears losing herself in the process of trying to please her partner, likening herself to a mere object or image in their life, not fully appreciated or valued. "I was dumber then, we were young and free" – Reflecting on a past where she felt naïve and unburdened by the complexities of relationships, showing how her perspective has changed with time. "Flakin' all my friends, let you fuck on me" – SZA admits to sacrificing her friendships and her sense of self-respect in favor of a relationship that ultimately didn't serve her well. "All night long ('Til I forget) Who I was (Lovin' me, lovin' me)" – This line portrays the emotional toll the relationship took, causing her to lose her identity while being consumed by love. "Self-respect? (I'd rather die)" – This intense statement highlights how far SZA was willing to go, even at the cost of her own self-esteem, in the name of love.
Outro: A Promise for the Future and Eternal Love
"In another lifetime, boy, I know we both would be too right" – In this final statement, SZA reiterates her belief that the two of them could have been perfect for each other in an alternate reality. "If the stars align now, boy, I know God gon' let us ride" – She hints that fate or divine intervention might bring them together in the future, if the timing is right. "If the time is right, oh, we'll start tonight" – The timing is a recurring theme, suggesting that in a different reality, they would be able to act on their feelings without hesitation. "Promise you won't forget me, oh" – SZA seeks reassurance that even if they cannot be together in this life, her presence and love will be remembered. "Coming back for you to ride, know you gone, but I'm gon' chase you" – This line implies a relentless pursuit of her love, even if they are no longer in the same space or relationship. "I don't care who you marry, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine" – SZA claims ownership over the love she desires, stating that it doesn’t matter what happens in the partner’s future; she believes they are meant to be together. "Maybe in another life" – The song ends with a final, wistful reflection on what could have been, offering a bittersweet sense of hope for a future reunion in an alternate reality.
Another Life Meaning
"Another Life" is an exploration of longing, regret, self-realization, and the desire for an alternate reality where love could flourish. Through each lyric, SZA articulates the emotional complexity of wanting something deeply but understanding that the timing, circumstances, or personal growth may not allow it to come to fruition. The recurring theme of "another life" expresses a hope that, maybe in a different version of reality, things could work out perfectly, but for now, she is left with the desire and the memory of what could have been.
SZA Another Life Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I wanna be right by your side
Can't risk perfection, love is timeless
Don't wanna throw and wait in line
I know you're not the strange kind
[Pre-Chorus]
Don't wanna make him nervous
Don't wanna break the surface
I'll be as I come in mornings, baby
Don't wanna make him nervous
Did I let you know
You got control on me, baby?
[Chorus]
In another life
I know we could ride out, boy
If the time is right
I know we could ride out, boy
In another life
I know we could ride, baby, let me ride
Won't you love me right out, boy?
In another life
[Verse 2]
I'm tryna be the one you play with
Not tryna be the one that stays up
Done tryna be your favorite
Done tryin' to fix your template
[Pre-Chorus]
I don't wanna be (Be) just a shell of me (Me)
Just another thing (Thing) in your gallery ('Ry)
I was dumber then (Then), we were young and free (Free)
Flakin' all my friends (Friends), let you fuck on me (Me)
All night long ('Til I forget)
Who I was (Lovin' me, lovin' me)
'Til I'm lost (I can recover now)
Self-respect? (I'd rather die)
[Chorus]
In another life
I know we could ride out, boy
If the time is right
I know we could ride out, boy
In another life
I know we could ride, baby, let me ride
Won't you love me right out, boy?
In another life
[Outro]
In another lifetime, boy
I know we both would be too right
If the stars align now, boy
I know God gon' let us ride
If the time is right, oh, we'll start tonight
Oh, just let me ride
Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, oh
Promise you won't forget me, oh
Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, oh
(Promise you won't forget me, oh)
(Ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, ride, oh)
Promise you'll let me ride
Ride, ride, ride, oh
Coming back for you to ride
Know you gone, but I'm gon' chase you
Don't get high, I'll just take and ride
Coming back for us in carriage
I don't care who you marry
Mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine, mine
Maybe in another life