As the story goes with a lot of popular music these days, a snippet of SZA’s new song “Shirt” first gained traction on TikTok. Fans of the star re-purposed a teaser she had shared on Instagram back in 2020 and turned it into a viral dance challenge that took off in 2021. Since then, they’ve been waiting patiently for the Missouri-born singer to share the full version of the track, and a full year later, she finally delivered.
SZA cowrote “Shirt” with superstar R&B producer Rodney Jerkins, whose resume includes acts like Beyoncé, Mary J. Blige, and Brandy, among others. For SZA, working with the hitmaker was a career high. “That was always my dream to work with him based on his work with Brandy and Amerie,” she told Complex. “We did like seven records in one day.”
Lyrically, the song is about what SZA knows best: complicated love. On the first verse, SZA struggles to find her footing when her love is not around.
Been so lost without you all around me
Get anxious
There’s something thrilling about being so caught up in this all-consuming love on the pre-chorus–and SZA kind of likes exploring that side of herself.
In the dark right now
Feelin’ lost, but I like it
Comfort in my sins and all about me
She admits this hot-and-cold relationship has her looking a little desperate on the hook. This person probably isn’t worth the pain, but she can’t help herself.
Still don’t know my worth
Still stressin' perfection
Let you all in my mental
Got me lookin' too desperate
Damn (You ain’t deserve)
Still, on the second verse, SZA feels certain she’s going to be the reason for the relationship’s inevitable demise.
Broad day, sunshine
I’ll find a way to fuck it up still
Can’t cry about the shit that I can’t change
She holds out hope they can find a healthy balance in their relationship on the bridge. Her partner just needs to show that they’re all in.
It’s what you say and how you do me
How I’m ‘posed to trust, baby? ’Posed to love?
It ain’t supposed to hurt this way
All I need is the best of you
Baby, how I got to say it? Give me all of you
“Shirt” arrived alongside a Bonnie and Clyde-inspired music video, which SZA stars in opposite actor LaKeith Stanfield.
You can read all the lyrics to “Shirt” on Genius now.
