From the moment SZA debuted with CTRL in 2017, she became the voice for a generation navigating complex emotions. Her music provides the perfect backdrop for everything from the confusion of a taken man’s advances, as heard in “Love Galore” with its iconic “why you bother me” lyrics, to the unwavering devotion in “Snooze.” Her 2022 album, SOS, delves deeper into themes of anger and regret, solidifying her status as a musical diary. SZA’s songwriting bravely exposes personal experiences – the sting of past relationships, the subsequent rage, and raw insecurities. She masterfully captures the full spectrum of emotions that accompany these experiences, making her music deeply relatable.
Whether you’re experiencing the highs of new love or the lows of heartbreak, SZA offers a song to articulate those overwhelming feelings. For those moments when you need to process complex emotions, perhaps with a glass of wine, here are 12 SZA tracks to explore, including a closer look at the poignant “why you bother me” lyrics from “Love Galore”.
1. Supermodel: Insecurities and Attention
“Leave me lonely for prettier women/ You know I need too much attention for s**t like that/ You know you wrong for s**t like that.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tiixq9rT\_J0?feature=oembed
SZA openly addresses insecurities, a recurring theme throughout her work. In “Supermodel,” she voices the vulnerability of needing validation from a lover, even while feeling inadequate and comparing herself to others. This track highlights the often unspoken anxieties about appearance and worthiness within relationships, a sentiment many listeners connect with.
2. Nobody Gets Me: The Pain of Letting Go
“Nobody gets me like you / How am I supposed to let you go? / Only like myself when I’m with you.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/NNd\_ufPG3x4?feature=oembed
“Nobody Gets Me” is the anthem for intense attachment. SZA explores the difficulty of detaching from someone who feels like home. This song resonates with anyone who’s experienced the unique comfort and understanding found in a deep connection, and the subsequent struggle of imagining life without it. It touches upon the fear of losing not only a partner but also a part of oneself.
3. Drew Barrymore: Loneliness and the Need for Therapy
“I get so lonely I forget what I’m worth / We get so lonely we pretend that this works / I’m so ashamed of myself, think I need therapy.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/dp45V\_M4Akw?feature=oembed
“Drew Barrymore” delves into the depths of loneliness and self-doubt. SZA articulates the spiral of negative thoughts that can consume when alone. She also touches on the isolating experience of feeling lonely even within a relationship, and the desperate act of pretending things are okay to avoid being alone. The raw admission, “think I need therapy,” reflects a crucial step towards self-awareness and healing.
4. Seek & Destroy: Self-Sabotage and Freedom
“Now that I’ve ruined everything, I cannot complain / Now that I’ve ruined everything, I’m so f**kin’ free / Now that I’ve ruined everything, keep it all for me / Now that I’ve ruined everything, space is all I need.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/SB0GxBSFUJk?feature=oembed
From her SOS album, “Seek & Destroy” confronts self-sabotage head-on. SZA explores the aftermath of destructive actions in relationships, but surprisingly, she doesn’t express guilt. Instead, she finds liberation in the chaos. This track, much like “Kill Bill,” showcases a darker side of SZA’s emotional spectrum, where destruction becomes a form of release and reclaiming personal space.
5. Garden (Say It Like Dat): Fear of True Self and Love
“‘Cause I love you just how you are/ Hope you never find out who I really am / ‘Cause you’ll never love me … but I / Believe you when you say it like that.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/pcJo0tIWybY?feature=oembed
“Garden (Say It Like Dat)” captures the vulnerability of love and the fear of exposing one’s true self. SZA beautifully conveys the desire to hide parts of herself, fearing rejection. The song highlights the precariousness of love, where even positive relationships can trigger deep-seated insecurities. The reassurance from her partner is crucial here, offering a fragile hope that she can be loved for who she truly is.
6. Snooze: Possessiveness and Intimacy
“Long as you dreamin’ ’bout me, ain’t no problem / I don’t got nobody, just with you right now / Tell the truth, I look better under you.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/LDY\_XyxBu8A?feature=oembed
“Snooze” embodies the possessive side of love. SZA asserts her desire to be the sole focus of her partner’s thoughts, especially in intimate moments. She emphasizes exclusivity and a deep physical connection, highlighting the intoxicating nature of being completely consumed by and devoted to a lover.
7. Gone Girl: The Difficult Journey of Growth
“Tryna find deeper meanin’ in nonsense / Tryna grow without hating the process / Tired of anticipating the worst yet / Still anticipating the worst.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/rA6DIHIg5To?feature=oembed
“Gone Girl” is a raw reflection on personal growth and its inherent discomfort. SZA acknowledges the challenging and often frustrating process of self-improvement. She touches upon the struggle of finding meaning in chaos and the persistent anxiety that can overshadow progress. This song offers a realistic perspective on growth, acknowledging that it’s rarely linear or easy.
8. F2F: Approaching the End of a Break-up
“So hard without you / I feel it coming, you gon’ find anothеr one / To keep you calm and tuck you in at night, I wonder / Will you call me? Will you hang mе out to dry?”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/h-oGPR9jHtk?feature=oembed
“F2F,” another SOS track, captures the painful limbo of a fading relationship. SZA perfectly encapsulates the anticipation of an ex moving on, while still clinging to a hope for contact. The song evokes the bittersweet ache of knowing the end is near, yet still being emotionally tethered to the past.
9. Special: Feeling Inadequate After Love
“I wish I was special / I gave all my special / Away to a loser / Now I’m just a loser.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/2B-G\_jB0Wzo?feature=oembed
“Special” delves into feelings of inadequacy often triggered by negative dating experiences. SZA expresses a desire to feel unique and valued, but instead blames a past relationship for making her feel ordinary, even a “loser.” This track highlights the damaging impact of toxic relationships on self-esteem and the struggle to reclaim one’s sense of worth.
10. Love Galore: The Infamous “Why You Bother Me” Lyrics
“Why you bother me when you know you don’t want me?/ Why you bother me when you know you got a woman?/ Why you hit me when you know you know better?”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/hHXfCOjb3fk?feature=oembed
“Love Galore” is arguably one of SZA’s most recognizable hits, and the “why you bother me” lyrics are central to its impact. These lines perfectly capture the frustration and annoyance of unwanted attention from someone who is already committed to another person. It’s a powerful expression of female agency and a rejection of being a “side chick.” The lyrics are sharp, direct, and resonate deeply with anyone who has experienced similar unwanted advances. SZA’s delivery makes these “why you bother me” lyrics both a question and a statement of defiance.
11. Far: Drowning Sorrows in Isolation
“Tried to wash all of my s**t away/ Tried to wash all my emotions/ Need a few brews, need a palm tree/ I be drinkin’ in private, don’t call me to party, though.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/HQPrprfg\_FA?feature=oembed
“Far” touches on the familiar theme of escapism through alcohol and isolation. SZA describes attempting to numb her emotions, seeking solace in solitude and drink. However, the line “don’t call me to party” reveals the ineffectiveness of this coping mechanism, highlighting a preference for private struggle over superficial social interaction.
12. Good Days: Hope Amidst Melancholy
“I try to keep from losin’ the rest of me / I worry that I wasted the best of me on you, babe / You don’t care.”
https://www.youtube.com/embed/2p3zZoraK9g?feature=oembed
“Good Days” exemplifies SZA’s signature blend of dreamy production and poignant lyrics. While the melody is uplifting, the lyrics reveal an underlying anxiety about self-preservation and regret. SZA expresses a fear of losing herself in past relationships, even while looking forward to brighter days. This song perfectly encapsulates the complex duality of hope and lingering pain.
SZA’s discography, punctuated by impactful lyrics like “why you bother me,” offers a profound exploration of the emotional landscape of modern relationships. Her willingness to be vulnerable and honest in her music is what makes her so compelling and relatable to listeners worldwide.
