Emotional Rawness and Sonic Depth
SZA's Crybaby, the 10th track from her SOS Deluxe: Lana album, is a deeply introspective and emotionally raw piece that displays the singer's masterful ability to combine vulnerability with power. The track is slow, somber, and rich in atmospheric depth, with a minimal yet captivating arrangement. The bluesy bassline serves as a sturdy foundation, while the sparse, spacey beat creates a haunting backdrop that perfectly complements SZA's emotive delivery. The combination of these elements makes Crybaby a true sonic journey, where every note and lyric feels deliberate and emotionally charged.
A Powerful Premiere and Visual Tease
Premiering during her BST Hyde Park set in London on June 29th, 2024, and later previewed in the Drive music video, Crybaby builds on SZA's knack for creating music that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. The track’s minimalism in instrumentation allows for SZA’s voice to take center stage, emphasizing her raw emotionality as she grapples with feelings of self-doubt and public perception. This is one of the most emotionally resonant moments on Lana, showcasing the artist’s ability to be both self-reflective and self-aware in a way that feels accessible to her listeners.
Reclaiming the “Crybaby” Label
Lyrically, Crybaby addresses the labels often placed on SZA—“insecure” and “crybaby”—and rather than rejecting these descriptors, she leans into them with an unapologetic honesty. The chorus, repeating “Call me Miss Crybaby, it's not my fault, Murphy's law,” positions her emotional sensitivity not as a flaw, but as an inherent part of her being. This refrain not only challenges society’s tendency to judge emotional vulnerability but also invites the listener to embrace their own imperfections. It’s a cathartic affirmation of humanity’s shared experience of struggle and the complexity of personal growth.
Self-Reflection and Acknowledgment
In the verses, SZA contemplates the personal mistakes and flaws that have shaped her journey, offering moments of self-reckoning. Lines like “Maybe I should stop blaming the world for my faults, I could evolve” suggest a desire for change but also a deep acknowledgment of her own shortcomings. However, there's no sense of defeat here; instead, SZA embraces these parts of herself as integral to her identity. The verse continues with a blend of self-criticism and self-compassion, creating an emotional push and pull that is central to the song's theme.
Empowerment Through Vulnerability
Crybaby is a powerful testament to SZA's growth as an artist, using vulnerability not as a weakness but as a tool for reclamation. By turning the term “crybaby” into an empowering anthem, she invites listeners to challenge the expectations placed on them by others and instead embrace their authentic selves. The track's haunting atmosphere and introspective lyrics make it one of the standout moments on SOS Deluxe: Lana, solidifying SZA as one of the most emotionally compelling voices in contemporary music.
Listen to SZA Crybaby
SZA Crybaby Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of Crybaby by Kendrick Lamar is a deep exploration of vulnerability, emotional complexity, and the internal struggles of navigating the pressures of fame and personal identity. In this track, Kendrick reflects on the societal labels often placed on him, particularly the perceptions of being overly sensitive or weak, while also confronting the emotional toll of being a public figure. He dissects his personal flaws, exposing the rawness of his feelings and the contradictions within himself. Through this, he challenges both himself and his audience to acknowledge and embrace these emotions, turning what might be seen as weaknesses into sources of power and self-awareness.
Verse 1: "Maybe"
In the opening lines, SZA reflects on her own behaviors, suggesting that her attitude may be preventing her from connecting with others, especially in romantic relationships. The line "If that attitude took a backseat, Miss Know-It-All / You'd find a man" implies that her defensive and self-sufficient nature could be hindering her ability to form meaningful connections. She also calls out her lack of "chill," acknowledging that her overthinking may push people away. Furthermore, the line “Maybe / If I stopped blaming the world for my faults / I could evolve” highlights her awareness of how blaming external factors stifles her personal growth. The admission that “the pressure just made me too soft” speaks to the emotional toll of external expectations, particularly the pressures that come with being in the public eye. This line reveals how external stressors might have softened her, causing her to feel vulnerable and lost in her own identity.
Pre-Chorus: "Cause all I seem to do is get in my way"
SZA admits to a pattern of self-sabotage in the pre-chorus, where she recognizes that her actions often impede her progress. The line “Cause all I seem to do is get in my way / Then blame you, it's just a cycle, rinse, recycle” acknowledges a repetitive cycle of self-doubt and blame. The “rinse, recycle” imagery emphasizes the futility of this cycle, suggesting that despite her efforts, she remains stuck in the same emotional loops. By stating, “You're so sick, I'm so sick of me too,” SZA shows empathy toward someone else who may be exhausted by her actions, while also expressing her own dissatisfaction with herself. It reflects the frustration of feeling trapped in a cycle of self-criticism, self-blame, and emotional exhaustion.
Chorus: "Call me Miss Crybaby"
The chorus serves as a reclamation of the label "crybaby," which SZA embraces as a part of her identity. The repetition of “Call me Miss Crybaby” signals that she’s not ashamed of her emotional vulnerability and is taking ownership of it. By singing, “It’s not my fault / If it’s Murphy’s law,” SZA challenges the idea that her emotional responses are her fault. Murphy’s Law, which states that “anything that can go wrong will go wrong,” serves as a metaphor for the inevitability of her struggles. In this context, it suggests that her emotional outbursts and feelings of inadequacy are beyond her control. “What can go wrong will go wrong” reinforces this idea, painting a picture of someone who feels as though misfortune is always lurking, waiting to strike, and that her reactions to these events are just a natural consequence of living under constant pressure.
Verse 2: "Maybe"
In the second verse, SZA shifts the focus slightly, offering some advice to herself—or perhaps to others—about unhealthy habits. “You should really stop smokin' them Backwoods so you can age backwards” reflects her awareness of the self-destructive behaviors that prevent her from healing or growing. The line suggests that by taking better care of herself, she could “age backwards” and reclaim some of the vitality or clarity she feels she’s lost. She continues, “Maybe / You should stop focusing all of that negative blocking the positive,” offering another piece of self-reflection. Here, she encourages herself to let go of negativity that clouds her perspective and prevents her from seeing the good in her life. However, she also alludes to how people or situations continue to bring her down, saying, “Trying to find, you're my blindspot, it’s fine niggas / Ruin me every single time.” This speaks to the painful reality that, despite her efforts, others continue to hurt her, whether intentionally or not, further fueling her emotional vulnerability.
Chorus: "Call me Miss Crybaby" (Revised)
As the chorus revisits itself, the line “Fuck Murphy’s law” marks a shift in tone. This new phrase signals SZA’s rejection of the fatalistic idea that things will always go wrong. She’s no longer willing to passively accept misfortune but instead challenges the idea that she’s destined for constant failure. The declaration “It ain't gone 'til it's gone” offers a bittersweet sense of impermanence, acknowledging that things may not last, but they are still valuable in the moment. The repetition of the word “crybaby” takes on an even deeper meaning here—it’s no longer just about accepting vulnerability, but about actively embracing it as a source of strength in the face of inevitable pain and hardship.
Outro: "Can't stop the raining"
The outro further emphasizes SZA’s emotional struggle, with the line “Can’t stop the raining” acting as a metaphor for her ongoing emotional turmoil. Despite her attempts to control or suppress her feelings, they continue to pour down like rain, overwhelming her in moments of vulnerability. The repeated line “And I’m still sick of maybe” conveys a sense of frustration with indecisiveness, reflecting her struggle to break free from the cycles of self-doubt and regret. In the final lines, SZA addresses the public’s perception of her, saying, “I know you told stories about me / Most of them awful, all of them true.” She acknowledges that people have shared their negative opinions of her, but she also admits that much of it is true. This acceptance of criticism, paired with the line “Here’s some for you,” suggests that she’s willing to own her imperfections and share them openly, reclaiming her narrative in the process.
Crybaby Meaning
In Crybaby, SZA navigates themes of self-reflection, vulnerability, and emotional honesty. She reclaims the “crybaby” label, transforming it from an insult into a powerful expression of her authenticity. Through the song’s raw and introspective lyrics, SZA challenges societal expectations, embracing her imperfections and encouraging listeners to do the same.
SZA Crybaby Lyrics
[Verse 1]
Maybe
If that attitude took a backseat, Miss Know-It-All
You'd find a man (Find a man)
You got no chill, you can't (Ain't got no chill)
Damn, baby, and maybe
If I stopped blaming the world for my faults
I could evolve
Maybe the pressure just made me too soft
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause all I seem to do is get in my way
Then blame you, it's just a cycle, rinse, recycle
You're so sick, I'm so sick of me too
[Chorus]
Call me Miss Crybaby
Call me Miss Crybaby
It's not my fault (It's not my fault)
If it's Murphy's law (If it's Murphy's law)
What can go wrong will go wrong
Telling you, crybaby
Call me a crybaby
It's not my fault (It's not my fault)
It's Murphy's law (It's Murphy's law)
What can go wrong will go wrong
[Post-Chorus]
Don't I know
Don't I know
Damn it, don't I know
Oh, you know it
[Verse 2]
And maybe (Maybe)
You should really stop smokin' them Backwoods so you can age backwards, please, girl
Baby, it's your world, oh
Maybe (Maybe)
You should stop focusing all of that negative blocking the positive
Trying to find, you're my blindspot, it's fine niggas
Ruin me every single time
[Pre-Chorus]
'Cause all I seem to do is get in my way
Then blame you, it's just a cycle, I'm so psycho
You so sick, I'm so sick of me too
[Chorus]
Call me Miss Crybaby
Call me Miss Crybaby
It's not my fault (It's not my fault)
Damn that Murphy's law (It's Murphy's law)
What can go wrong goin' wrong
Baby, it's crybaby
Oh, it's crybaby
It's not my fault (It's not my fault)
Fuck Murphy's law (It's Murphy's law)
It ain't gone 'til it's gone, oh
[Outro]
(Can't stop the raining)
(And I'm still sick of maybe)
(Give it all to live that life)
I know you told stories about me
Most of them awful, all of them true
Here's some for you, yeah, ooh
I know you told stories about me
Most of them awful, all of them true
Here's some for you, yeah (Oh, ooh)