SZA’s Angelic Vibe in “Kitchen”
SZA's "Kitchen" from the album Lana (SOS Deluxe) is a standout track that captures the complexity of a toxic relationship through haunting vocals and an infectious rhythm. The song's angelic vibe is a departure from her usual style, with a soft, breathy delivery that feels both vulnerable and intimate. From the first note, SZA transports the listener into a world of conflicting emotions, where love and self-preservation are at odds. The track's head-bopping rhythm, paired with her celestial voice, creates an irresistible juxtaposition of lightness and heaviness.
Relatable Lyrics and Emotional Depth
The lyrics of "Kitchen" are deeply relatable, especially for those who have experienced the struggles of an unhealthy relationship. The line "It must've been hard for you to lose me" reflects the bittersweet feeling of being let go, even when it’s clear the relationship wasn't serving either party. There's a subtle, old-school charm to the track, with its throwback elements and the emotional weight that SZA carries through her delivery. Her words echo like a modern-day lament, offering a raw perspective on the difficulty of letting go despite the history shared.
A Key Track in the SOS Deluxe Collection
"Kitchen" is a significant track in the SOS Deluxe collection, sitting comfortably at number 11. The song was first teased on SZA’s Instagram, piquing the curiosity of fans before the official announcement of the deluxe edition. Its inclusion in Lana feels like a natural extension of the themes explored throughout the album, particularly SZA’s ongoing exploration of self-worth, love, and personal growth. The song takes on an even greater significance as it reintroduces the listener to a more vulnerable side of SZA, where she grapples with her past and the emotional weight of her connections.
Toxic Relationships and Emotional Conflict
Lyrically, the song delves into the chaos of a toxic relationship where fleeting moments of intimacy seem to trap the speaker in an endless cycle. The chorus, "Dancing and kissing, the kitchen / Makes me forget, I forgive him," highlights how these fleeting instances of affection provide temporary relief, but ultimately offer no real resolution. SZA cleverly incorporates her personal struggles with love and loss, making the track both introspective and universally relatable. The recurring line "So hard to do the right thing" further emphasizes the internal battle many face when trying to break free from unhealthy cycles.
Nostalgia and Resilience in the Instrumentals
The song’s instrumental backdrop features a beautiful sample of Voyage to Atlantis by The Isley Brothers, adding a layer of nostalgia that complements the track’s exploration of emotional turmoil. The contrast between the lush, soothing melody and the difficult subject matter creates an intriguing tension, mirroring the internal conflict of choosing between love and self-preservation. In "Kitchen," SZA masterfully blends vulnerability with strength, creating a song that not only captures the heartache of toxic relationships but also the resilience required to navigate them. It’s a testament to her artistry, showcasing her ability to turn personal experiences into universal anthems.
Listen to SZA Kitchen
SZA Kitchen Lyrics Meaning Explained
The meaning of "Kitchen" by SZA is a deep exploration of the emotional complexities that come with being in a toxic, yet deeply intimate relationship. The song delves into the internal struggle between love and self-preservation, where fleeting moments of affection, like dancing and kissing in the kitchen, temporarily mask the pain and history of the relationship. SZA portrays the cyclical nature of such connections, where despite knowing the relationship is unhealthy, she finds it difficult to fully let go. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, the song captures the conflict of desiring self-love while being drawn back into a toxic dynamic.
Verse 1: Acknowledging the Struggle
SZA’s "Kitchen" opens with a powerful acknowledgment of the deep connection between her and her partner. In the lines “You know we got a real history / That's no reason I can't choose me (Ooh)”, she recognizes the weight of their shared past but emphasizes that it shouldn’t stop her from prioritizing herself. The following line, “You know that dick been good to me (Ah) / You make it hard for me to choose me”, highlights the physical intimacy they share, complicating her emotional choices. The physical connection makes it difficult for her to fully choose herself, revealing the internal struggle of balancing desire with self-preservation.
Chorus: Romanticizing Intimacy
The chorus of "Kitchen" further explores the emotional complexity of their relationship. The lines “Dancing and kissing, the kitchen / Makes me forget, I forgive him” depict a romanticized moment where the simple acts of dancing and kissing in the kitchen help SZA forget the hardships they’ve endured. These moments of affection momentarily allow her to forgive him, despite the emotional pain they’ve caused each other. This speaks to the paradox of toxic relationships—how brief moments of intimacy can cloud the deeper issues at hand. Additionally, “Mama told me I don’t listen, back again” reflects the cyclical nature of her behavior, as her mother’s warnings go unheeded, and she finds herself returning to the same destructive relationship.
Escaping Through Substances: The Struggle for Control
SZA continues to express her internal conflict in the next part of the chorus with “Crashing out on shrooms, I guard them / Cursing you solves all my problems”. Here, she suggests using substances like mushrooms as a means to escape her emotional pain, guarding her feelings from the turmoil. The line “Cursing you solves all my problems” indicates that, in moments of emotional turmoil, it feels easier to blame her partner for her distress rather than confronting her own feelings. This shows her tendency to externalize the pain rather than face the difficult emotions that come with trying to break free from the relationship. “Vacationing in rock bottom, back again” encapsulates the paradox of staying in a toxic relationship—while it's emotionally painful, it’s familiar, and thus, she finds herself returning to this "rock bottom" state.
Post-Chorus: The Difficulty of Doing the Right Thing
In the post-chorus, the repetition of “So hard to do the right thing (Ah) / So hard to do the right thing (Oh)” reinforces the emotional difficulty SZA faces in making the right choices for herself. She knows that letting go would be the healthiest decision, but the attachment to her partner makes it nearly impossible to do so. The repetition of this line conveys the inner conflict and the struggle to break free from old patterns.
Verse 2: Setting Boundaries and Realizing Self-Worth
The second verse reveals SZA’s growing resolve. “You know we got a real history / That don't mean I'll let you abuse me (Ooh)” indicates that, despite the bond they share, she is drawing a boundary. She won’t allow herself to be mistreated any longer, showing emotional growth and a shift toward self-respect. The following line, “That pussy hit like royalty (Oh) / Must be hard for you to lose me”, highlights the intense physical chemistry between them, which makes it difficult to separate. She acknowledges that the breakup is just as hard for him as it is for her, but her emotional well-being must take precedence, despite the strong connection.
Outro: Revisiting the Intimate Connection
The outro brings the song full circle, returning to the motif of intimacy in the kitchen. “You know we got a real history / Dancing, kissing, the kitchen / Makes me think I forgive him” reaffirms the lingering emotional attachment to the relationship. The repetition of these intimate moments indicates that they continue to hold sway over her emotions, making it harder to fully let go. Though she may feel momentarily that she has forgiven him, this forgiveness is fleeting, tied to the nostalgic and emotionally charged memories they share.
Kitchen Meaning: Emotional Complexity and Self-Preservation
Through "Kitchen," SZA captures the emotional complexity of a toxic relationship, where love, nostalgia, and physical chemistry create a dilemma between choosing self-preservation and clinging to an unhealthy bond. The song explores the cyclical nature of such relationships, where moments of affection mask deeper issues, and the path to healing is neither straightforward nor easy.
SZA Kitchen Lyrics
[Verse 1]
You know we got a real history
That's no reason I can't choose me (Ooh)
You know that dick been good to me (Ah)
You make it hard for me to choose me
[Chorus]
Dancing and kissing, the kitchen
Makes me forget, I forgive him
Mama told me I don't listen, back again
Crashing out on shrooms, I guard them
Cursing you solves all my problems
Vacationing in rock bottom, back again
[Post-Chorus]
So hard to do the right thing (Ah)
So hard to do the right thing (Oh)
[Verse 2]
You know we got a real history
That don't mean I'll let you abuse me (Ooh)
That pussy hit like royalty (Oh)
Must be hard for you to lose me
[Chorus]
Dancing and kissing, the kitchen
Makes me forget, I forgive him
Mama told me I don't listen, back again
Crashing out on shrooms, I guard them
Cursing you solves all my problems
Vacationing in rock bottom, back again (Oh)
[Post-Chorus]
So hard to do the right thing (Oh)
So hard to do the right thing (Oh, do the right, oh, I)
So hard to do the right thing (So hard to do the right thing, ah)
So hard to do it (Ooh, so hard to do it)
[Outro]
You know we got a real history
Dancing, kissing, the kitchen
Makes me think I forgive him
(Ba-ba, ba-ba-ba)
Dancing, kissing, the kitchen
Makes me think I forgive him
(Ba-ba, ba-ba-ba)