Dec 28, 20246 min read

SZA SOS Meaning and Review

A Bold Reintroduction

“SOS” by SZA is a bold and powerful opening track on her highly anticipated album, SOS. The title track immediately sets the tone with its raw energy, combining elements of rap and singing to create a dynamic performance. SZA brings an unmatched level of confidence, delivering her lines with a mixture of aggressive “bad bitch” rap and soulful vocals. The track’s bassline adds depth to her performance, making it an impactful introduction to the album’s overarching themes. From the first note, SZA commands the listener’s attention, showcasing her versatility and strong presence.

A Declaration of Growth

The track also serves as a reintroduction to SZA’s evolution as an artist. After the massive success of CTRL, it’s been five years since fans have heard from her, and SOS marks a new chapter. “SOS” is not just a song, but an announcement—SZA is back and more self-assured than ever. She uses this track to reflect on her growth, reclaiming her space in the music industry and asserting her dominance. The line “This ain't no warnin' shot / Case all you hoes forgot” perfectly encapsulates her comeback energy, as she confidently reminds listeners of her significance in the game.

Themes of Self-Worth and Reclamation

Lyrically, “SOS” explores themes of self-worth and reclaiming what’s hers. The opening lines, “Last night, I cried,” set a vulnerable tone, suggesting that the emotional weight of the song is tied to deeper feelings of loss and reflection. As the track progresses, SZA’s lyrics become a declaration of independence and strength, particularly in lines like “I want it back, want it back” and “I just want what's mine.” There’s a fierce sense of ownership and self-respect that runs throughout the song, with SZA making it clear that she won’t settle for anything less than what she deserves.

A Versatile Performance

The song’s structure, blending spoken word, rapping, and soaring vocals, allows SZA to explore her range as an artist. The rawness in her delivery, especially when she transitions between rapping and singing, adds an emotional depth that keeps the track from feeling like just another album intro. SZA’s ability to seamlessly weave between different styles shows her growth as a performer, pushing boundaries and experimenting with her sound. The repeated crying motif at the beginning and end of the track also serves as a symbolic cry for help or a call for attention, reflecting the SOS theme of distress and survival.

A Powerful Opening Statement

“SOS” is a brilliant opening to an album that promises to be just as bold and dynamic as its lead track. With this song, SZA not only reestablishes her place in the music world but also makes it clear that she’s evolved into a more self-assured, unapologetic artist. SOS is more than just an introduction; it’s a declaration of strength, independence, and confidence that sets the stage for the rest of the album.

Listen to SZA SOS

SZA SOS Lyrics Meaning Explained

The meaning of "SOS" by SZA is centered around reclaiming power, self-worth, and authenticity in the face of adversity. The song reflects SZA's journey of emotional vulnerability and resilience, blending themes of independence, self-assertion, and personal growth. Through bold lyrics and confident declarations, she calls for recognition of her contributions, both in her career and personal life. The track serves as a powerful anthem of reclaiming what she’s lost and demanding the respect she deserves, while also acknowledging the emotional challenges she has faced along the way.

Introduction and Distress Call

Last night, I cried. The album and titular song "SOS" opens with a distress call in Morse code, which can be heard throughout the album. The distress signal is followed by the sound of a flare being shot off, symbolizing a call for help. The song then incorporates a sample from the Gabriel Hardeman Delegation’s 1976 gospel song "Until I Found the Lord (My Soul Couldn’t Rest)", which adds a layer of spiritual yearning and emotional depth.

Reclaiming Power

SZA starts by demanding recognition, saying, "Yeah, that's right, I need commissions on mine." This line suggests she feels undervalued and is seeking compensation for her contributions, whether in personal relationships or in her professional life. The following lyrics, "All that sauce you got from me, all that shit I gave for free, I want it back, want it back," emphasize that she has given much without proper acknowledgment and now wants to reclaim what’s hers. This sets the tone for the song's theme of self-assertion and reclaiming power.

Assertion of Dominance

"This ain't no warnin' shot, case all you hoes forgot, know you been more than lost without me, I'm so" is SZA’s way of asserting her dominance, making it clear that she is coming back with full force. The phrase "I'm so greasy" could imply her slickness in navigating situations, as she declares her return with confidence, stating that those who tried to replace her have failed. She addresses this with, "Punk ass tried to replace me, but the stakes is too high, they can't survive off mini-me," referring to how people try to imitate her, but can never fully replace her authenticity or influence.

Authenticity and Individuality

SZA emphasizes her uniqueness and pedigree, saying, "I'm talkin' pedigree, ain't no writers, that's just me," asserting her authenticity as an artist who writes her own material. The phrase "ain't no spiteful, I'm just tea" suggests she is calmly revealing truths, not out of spite, but simply as a matter of fact. The metaphor of "tea" is used to indicate that she is delivering information without emotional malice.

Comparisons to Tom Brady and Kevin Durant

In the lines, "Can't hate a bitch for free, talkin' I'm off the bench like Brady," SZA compares herself to NFL quarterback Tom Brady, implying her level of skill and importance. By using "Brady," she draws a parallel to her own return to prominence after a hiatus, much like a star player coming off the bench to dominate again. "I'm pressin' niggas like KD, it's up" refers to basketball player Kevin Durant and the pressure she applies to her competition, further reinforcing her status as a top-tier artist.

Legacy and Body Image

SZA then references Della Reese, a celebrated jazz and gospel singer, in the line "Remind you of Della Reese," positioning herself within a legacy of classic, high-quality artistry. She addresses body image and plastic surgery rumors with the line, "So classic, that ass so fat, it look natural, it's not," confirming she has had work done and acknowledging her insecurities, particularly about her body, as she has hinted at in previous songs like "Garden (Say It Like Dat)."

Unapologetic Return

In "Comin' back, she so candid, comin' back snatched like bandit," SZA describes her return to the music industry with confidence, unapologetically reclaiming her space. "This ain't canned shit, I'm organic with my fresh squeezed" uses the metaphor of fresh juice to emphasize that she brings something original and authentic to the table, in contrast to others who are more manufactured or artificial.

Boldness and Vulnerability

As the song progresses, SZA gets more explicit and daring, with lines like, "I'm dumpin' like press squeeze, I'm horny like, 'Suck these,' so daring like, 'Touch me.'" Despite the provocative tone, she also keeps her eye on the bigger picture, saying, "All the petty shit aside, all the funny shit aside, I just want what's mine." The repetition of "I just want what's mine" drives home her desire to be recognized and respected for her work, effort, and contributions.

Emotional Journey

Finally, she closes the verse by recalling the vulnerability of expressing her emotions: "And I cried and cried, said what's on my mind." This lyric borrows from Beyoncé’s 2006 song "Listen," subtly shifting the words to reflect her own emotional journey. In the end, SZA brings the song full circle, blending personal empowerment with emotional transparency, showing that while she’s back with power and purpose, her journey has been marked by both resilience and vulnerability.

SZA SOS Lyrics

[Intro]

Last night, I cried

[Verse]

Give me a second, give me a minute

Nah, lil' bitch, can't let you finish

Yeah, that's right, I need commissions on mine

All that sauce you got from me

All that shit I gave for free

I want it back, want it back

This ain't no warnin' shot

Case all you hoes forgot

Know you been more than lost

Without me, I'm so

Comin' back, I'm so greasy

Ex-nigga, he so needy

Punk ass tried to replace me, but the stakes is too high

They can't survive off mini-me

I'm talkin' pedigree

Ain't no writers, that's just me

Ain't no spiteful, I'm just tea

Can't hate a bitch for free

Talkin' I'm off the bench like Brady

I'm pressin' niggas like KD, it's up

Yeah, nigga, it's up to me

Remind you of Della Reese

So classic, that ass so fat, it look natural, it's not

I talk bullshit a lot

No more fuck-shit, I'm done

Damn right, I'm the one

Comin' back, she so candid

Comin' back snatched like bandit

Comin' back, this ain't canned shit

I'm organic with my fresh squeezed

I'm dumpin' like press squeeze

I'm horny like, "Suck these"

So daring like, "Touch me"

And all the petty shit aside

All the funny shit aside

I just want what's mine

Mine, oh