Top 10 SZA Songs

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Our Top 10 SZA Songs list will look at a popular singer and songwriter. SZA rose to fame in the early 2010s. Her debut album Ctrl made history by becoming the second longest charting r&b album by a female in history. She has been quite busy since she debuted. She has worked with Maroon 5, Kendrick Lamar, and Doja Cat. Sza’s second album SOS had the biggest streaming week for an r&b album. She has won over 25 awards and counting.

SZA has eclectic taste when it comes to music. She listens to hip-hop, r&b, jazz, folk, and classical music. She infuses her tastes in her music. She doesn’t want to be labeled as one type of artist. Her vocals are versatile. She can sing a high note with the power divas and sing a low note like Ella Fitzgerald and Lauryn Hill. She has a wide range of influences such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lauryn Hill, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Common, LFO, Macy Gray, Bjork, Nas, Mos Def, Wu-Tang Clan, Jay-Z, Jamiroquai, Beyonce, Rihanna and Ashanti.

SZA was born Solana Imani Rowe on November 8, 1989. You may be wondering where she got her unique name. She got her name from the Supreme Alphabet. She was influenced by RZA from Wu-Tang Clan. The last two letters in her name mean zig-zag and Allah. The first letter of her name means savior or sovereign. She met the people at Top Dawg Entertainment when her boyfriend’s clothing company sponsored Kendrick Lamar’s show. Her music was given to the president of Top Dawg Entertainment. Terrence “Punch” Henderson was impressed by what he heard. They kept in touch with each other. She released two EPs (See SZA Run and S) and received buzz for her work. He decided to sign her to the label. She was the first female signed to the label.

SZA writes her songs based on whatever comes to mind. She feels like her work doesn’t always make sense to anyone but her. She enjoys writing because she likes poetry. She writes about relationships, sexuality and feeling abandoned. Listening to her music is like listening to her personal diary. She talks about everything that is going on in her heart. Speaking of her music, she released Ctrl in 2017. The album peaked at number three on Billboard 200 and number two on the r&b charts. Ctrl features the singles “Drew Barrymore,” “Love Galore,” “The Weekend,” “Broken Clocks” and “Garden (Say it Like Dat).” The album sold over three million copies. This album was considered one of the best albums in 2017. Her album was ranked as one of the best debuts of all time. She was nominated for awards for this album. Ctrl spent 295 weeks on Billboard 200. This was the second longest charting album by a female. Rihanna’s Anti was the longest charting album.

After the success of Ctrl, the pressure was on SZA. There are plenty of artists who develop the sophomore slump. She didn’t want to be one of them. SZA released SOS in December 2022. The album peaked at number one on Billboard 200 and the r&b charts. SOS features the singles “Good Days,” “I Hate U,” “Shirt,” “Nobody Gets Me” and “Kill Bill.” The album sold 318,000 copies in one week. SOS had over 404 million streams in the first week. It broke the record for having the biggest streams for an r&b album. It was the second largest streaming week for an album by a female. Her album went gold within days. This album was ranked one of the best albums in 2022. SOS sold over one million copies.

SZA is getting the popularity and the accolades that she deserves. She hasn’t been in the business for very long, but she is making her way up the ladder of success. She is bringing much needed attention to r&b music. Whether she is singing on her own or making a guest appearance in someone’s song, SZA will hold your attention. She always gives it her all when it comes to her music. Our Top 10 SZA Songs list will give us a chance to give her the flowers she deserves. This list will contain songs she performed on her own as well as songs she did with other artists.

# 10 – What Lovers Do ft. SZA

The first song on our Top 10 SZA Songs list is “What Lovers Do” from Maroon 5’s Red Pill Blues album. “What Lovers Do” was released in August 2017. The seductive song is about the mutual love and desire between a couple. They want more than just a physical relationship. They want to talk to each other as well as do things together. They don’t want to keep their feelings hidden. They don’t want to play games. They want to have an honest relationship with each other. The couple wants to do the things that lovers do with each other. This song is a celebratory ode to love and affection.

This is the type of track you could play for your wedding reception. You can also play it when you want to celebrate your love for each other. The lyrics in this song will remind you that it is better to be truthful with each other and express how you feel. It also tells you that you should have fun together and talk to each other in order to make your relationship work. We have all heard love songs in the past, but Maroon 5 and SZA found a way to make this one different from the others. Adam Levine and SZA don’t normally work together so it could have been a disaster. They proved that they could work together and make a catchy song. He relied on his signature falsetto while she chose her sultry sound for the song. Their voices blend very well together. The song has a catchy pop beat. It sounds like a summer song but you can listen to it all year round.

# 9 – I Hate U

The next song on our Top 10 SZA Songs list is “I Hate U” from the SOS album. “I Hate U” was released in December 2021. This break up song is about a toxic relationship. The female protagonist talks about what went wrong in the relationship. She resents him because of everything he put her through. The problem is she misses him. She hopes that they can save their relationship. She thinks about what could have been like if they stayed together. She reflects on how things were when they were happy and before he betrayed her. The song is an updated version of Rihanna and Ne-Yo’s “Hate That I Love You.” She is mad at him for breaking her heart, but she can’t let go of the past. She misses him every day even though she wanted him to leave.

This song will hit home with you if you are in a love/hate relationship with someone. It will let you know that you are not alone. It is natural to be confused about how you feel in this situation. You may be convinced that the person in your life needs to get out of your life, but your heart won’t let them leave. This song gives SZA a chance to show her soft and vulnerable side. She expresses the feeling of confusion effortlessly. You can hear the hurt in her voice as she talks about what her ex put her through. On the other hand, you can hear the hope in her voice as she wishes to get back together with him. SZA shows versatility in this song. She sings in her lower and upper registers. It was a great choice. She does use strong language in the song, but it adds to the passion she feels about her situation.

# 8 – Nobody Gets Me

The eighth song on our Top 10 SZA Songs list is “Nobody Gets Me” from the SOS album. “Nobody Gets Me” was released in January 2023. The somber song is about a past relationship that was disappointing and heartbreaking. She felt lost in her relationship. She didn’t think it would get any better because he betrayed her. She felt like there was no way out of the relationship. The narrator talks about not wanting to lose the familiarity of the relationship. She was comfortable with him so she wasn’t worried about leaving. She is feeling upset because there is no way to get the spark back in their relationship. She is torn because she wants to love him, but she knows she needs to let him go. The relationship isn’t healthy, but it is not easy to walk away.

How many times have we told ourselves we need to let go, but we don’t? SZA is experiencing that situation in this song. She is in love, but the relationship isn’t good for her. This song is relatable and emotional. It will have you in your feelings. If you are in this situation, it is more than just a song. “Nobody Gets Me” is the type of song that may have you in tears especially if you can relate to the lyrics. You know a song is good when it makes you feel as if you are going to cry when you listen to it. The music is perfect for this song. It sets the mood that you will be in while listening to it. The music sounds like Avril Lavigne’s “I’m With You.” SZA pours her heart and soul into her vocals. She sings the song with all the emotion needed to convey her message. This is the type of song you will like instantly. You wouldn’t need many repetitions to get into the song.

# 7 – All the Stars ft. SZA

The seventh pick on our list is “All the Stars” from The Black Panther soundtrack. “All the Stars” was released in January 2018. Kendrick Lamar and SZA recorded this song for the soundtrack. The dynamic duo talks about love and fame in this song. It is not love in a romantic sense. It is about loving yourself and striving for better. The male narrator isn’t doing things for other people. He wants to strive to do better for himself. He doesn’t want his life to consist of living up to other people’s expectations of him. He must learn the difference between being a real or fake person.

He lets the listeners know that he has a small circle of friends because there are so many fake people in the world. SZA talks about dealing with toxic people. She talks about the things that she went through to get to where she wanted to be in life. The female protagonist takes an optimistic look at things. She is thankful for her life and she wants other people to be thankful for their lives too. She wants them to appreciate their lives while they still can.

This song was written for the movie, but you can incorporate it in your life. If you are in the male or female protagonist’s situation, you will find the lyrics relatable. They talk about fake people but it also gives you hope that you can overcome your obstacles. It teaches you not to do things just to please other people. It will teach you to do things you want to do for yourself. It will teach you to make your dreams come true for you and not for other people. Kendrick Lamar does a great job with his flow. He is not too fast. It will be easy to rap along with him. SZA is the star of the song. Her voice will give you goosebumps. She sings this in her soprano vocals which works with the music. The music is uplifting and will have you moving around in your seat. Kendrick Lamar and SZA should continue to work together.

# 6 – The Other Side ft Justin Timberlake

“The Other Side” is from the Trolls: World Tour soundtrack. “The Other Side” was released in February 2020. The inspiring song is about realizing that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. They want you to appreciate what you have. They don’t want you to put yourself down. People may have things that you don’t, but that doesn’t make you any less special. They want you to take the time to enjoy life and have faith that you are doing what is best for you. They want you to get back on your feet and keep your head up. The narrators don’t want you to let other people steal your shine.

The song teaches you that life is precious whether you have what your neighbors have or not. The important thing is not to give up and to keep your head high. The lyrics of the song have a great message about not giving up on life. There are plenty of times when we feel like other people’s lives are better than ours. This song will show you that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. This is a positive song that will uplift your spirits. This is the type of song we need considering what is going on in the world. We need a song that is positive and uplifting.

The music is funky and upbeat. You can’t resist dancing to the infectious music. SZA and Justin Timberlake sound great together. SZA sings in her soprano vocals while Justin Timberlake sings in his tenor vocals. When they sing together, he comes down an octave. It is a match made in heaven. There is no way you won’t be singing along with them. This is an earworm that will be in your head long after it is done.

# 5 – The Weekend

The next song on our Top 10 SZA Songs list is “The Weekend” from the Ctrl album. “The Weekend” was released in September 2017. The complex song is about a woman who is involved with a man who is in a relationship. She has rules for her lover. She lets him know she is only able to see him on the weekends. She wants to see him when his girlfriend isn’t around. The narrator is taking care of his needs while his girlfriend is gone. She knows what she is doing is wrong and that she is being selfish, but she doesn’t care. She suggests that he find a way to see her on the weekend. She promises to please him in ways his girlfriend never will.

SZA doesn’t paint herself in a good light in this song. In fact, she is the villain. She is involved with a man who is seeing someone else. She considers him her man even though he isn’t. Most women talk about being cheated on by their men. They don’t usually brag about being the other woman. With that said, this song is very dramatic. The music is seductive. This is something you can play when you are spending time with that special someone despite the theme of the song. SZA sounds sexy in the song. She is practically seducing the audience with her voice. Her voice is clear and you can understand everything she says. You may not root for her character in the song, but there’s no mistaking how amazing she sounds singing it.

# 4 – Love Galore ft. Travis Scott

“Love Galore” is from the Ctrl album. “Love Galore” was released in April 2017. The complicated song is about a woman who is played by a man who believes he is God’s gift to women. She questions why he comes to her when he has a girlfriend. She won’t allow him to break her heart. He tries to explain himself, but she doesn’t want to hear anything he has to say. She realizes she is over him and decides to turn the tables on him. She wants him to feel the way he treats her. She lets him know that the relationship is not serious even though she does have feelings for him. She wants him to feel the way he made her feel.

SZA gets the chance to show confidence in this song. She refuses to allow a man to play her. She won’t get her heart broken by a man who doesn’t treat her right. She is empowering to women who feel like they have been played by their men. The lyrics will teach you how to get back at someone who feels you don’t matter. She talks about something women have been saying for a long time. She wishes she never gave him her number or wasn’t with him. This song is told from both sides because Travis Scott gets to tell his side of the story. He lets her know how he feels about her. The song plays out like a movie because it is filled with drama. SZA and Travis Scott have chemistry with each other. They sound as if they have been working together for years. They both get to vocally shine on this song. They do a great job staying in character throughout the track.

# 3 – Good Days

Coming in at number three on our list is “Good Days.” “Good Days” is from the album SOS. “Good Days” was released December 2020. The soul-searching song is about learning to cope with obstacles that are thrown your way. She wants you to find peace despite the obstacles. The narrator talks about the loss and regret that she has had in her life. She wants to look forward to the future. She is looking forward to it with a hopeful mindset. The narrator has a war going on in her head. She talks about a former boyfriend who made it hard for her to think positively about moving on with her life. She doesn’t miss her ex. She doesn’t text him when he texts her.

SZA wants to show her strength in this song. Her lyrics are deeper than they appear to be. She talks about overcoming obstacles, but she also talks about her emotional state. She wants to move on, but her past relationship makes it hard for her to do. SZA incorporates feminism in the song, but she doesn’t shove it down men’s throats. Leaving her ex made her a better person. She is finally living for herself. SZA is a brilliant songwriter because she brings two stories together and makes them one. She writes about relationships but she takes it to a different level. Let’s talk about her vocals. She utilizes her dreamy vocals on this track. Her voice makes this song addicting. You may find yourself putting this song on repeat.

# 2 – Kiss Me More ft SZA

“Kiss Me More” is from Doja Cat’s Planet Her album. “Kiss Me More” was released in April 2021. The lustful song is about love and lust. This song is told in two parts. Doja Cat talks about the importance of kissing her man. She wants to kiss him in public. She wants to do everything couples do together. She wants him to show her more affection. SZA is talking about an ex she caught cheating on her. She felt like she was stuck in a relationship. She felt like she didn’t have room to breathe. Her friends told her she dodged a bullet by breaking up with him. Even though he hurt her, she is willing to give him another chance. He would have to change before she gets back together with him.

If you are a fan of pop music, chances are you have heard this song in heavy rotation. This is a playful song that is energetic. The music will have you out of your seat and on the dance floor. Here is a fun fact about the music. The music contains a sample of Olivia Newton-John’s “Physical.” Doja Cat and SZA sound fantastic in this song. Doja Cat sings and raps in the song. SZA brings her style and sassiness to the song. Their voices fuse together to create a seductive song. They prove that female singers can sing together. You will be obsessed with this song and ready to hit replay so you can hear it over and over.

# 1 – Kill Bill

The number one song on our Top 10 SZA Songs list is “Kill Bill” from the SOS album. “Kill Bill” was released in January 2023. “Kill Bill” is a revenge anthem. It tells the story about a woman who wants to kill her ex-boyfriend and his girlfriend out of jealousy. She is still in love with her ex. She found out he was cheating on her, so they ended up breaking up. She is still upset about the breakup. She becomes enraged when she finds out that he has moved on. She imagines killing him and his new girlfriend. She knows it is not the best idea, but she doesn’t want to be alone. She would rather go to jail than be alone. The singer doesn’t want him to be with anyone other than her. She doesn’t want him to be happy if she isn’t happy.

The song is a candid tale about infidelity and murder. SZA painted a vivid picture about what she wanted to do about her cheating ex-boyfriend. She wants to do what everyone would want to do in her situation. They would want to kill if their ex moved on with someone else. SZA was inspired to write this song because of the movie Kill Bill. The song is like the plot of the movie. The lyrics are like a movie so it’s not surprising that a movie inspired her to write this song. She wrote everything a woman would be feeling if they lost their ex and don’t want to see them happy with another person. The music is simple but infectious. The message of the lyrics never gets lost in the music. SZA sounds amazing in this song. She delivered a home run. She sings this song with all of the passion needed to get her point across. She sounds very angry and we believe that she would kill them.