I Hate U
by SZA

Album: SOS (2020)
Charted: 38 7
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • This song finds SZA caught in a toxic relationship with an unworthy lover. It's a classic can't live with him, can't live without him scenario in which the singer is caught in an emotional tug-of-war. Though worn out by the way he treats her, SZA still misses her man when he's away and can't shake him off.
  • SZA originally posted "I Hate U" as an experiment alongside "Nightbird" and "Joni" on her secret Soundcloud account in August 2021. After a snippet went viral on TikTok, SZA officially released the full song on December 3, 2021. "Honestly this started out as an exercise," she said, "I just wanted somewhere to dump my thoughts without out pressure."
  • SZA wrote the song with its four producers. They are:

    ThankGod4Cody, who co-produced four tracks on SZA's CTRL album, including her singles "Broken Clocks," "Love Galore," and "The Weekend."

    Chicago multi-instrumentalist Carter Lang. He co-produced eight CTRL tracks and her "Good Days" single.

    Los Angeles-based producer Rob Bisel. He previously worked with SZA on her "Hit Different" single.

    Dylan "Sir Dylan" Wiggins, who also has writing credits on tracks by Solange ("Mad") and Calvin Harris ("Over Now").
  • Upon its release, "I Hate U" debuted at #1 on the US Apple Music streaming songs chart, breaking the record for the most-streamed R&B song by a female artist on Apple Music in its first week. It also topped the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming SZA's first #1 on that tally.
  • The Jack Begert-directed video centers on a man (played by Atlanta's Lakeith Stanfield) in a heated argument with SZA on the phone. Afterwards, he gets a text from SZA that reads "i hate u," prompting him to hurl his phone in the ocean.
  • The song earned SZA her first #1 on R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay. The singer's previous best ranking on the chart was the #3 that "Good Days" reached.
  • The song originated with Rob Bisel's darkly groovy keyboard loop. ThankGod4Cody added drums and came up with a structure. The day after, SZA wrote over their instrumentation and crafted "I Hate U" in less than two hours. "Everything about it felt supernatural, from start to finish," Bisel marveled to Billboard.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

How The Beatles Crafted Killer Choruses

How The Beatles Crafted Killer ChorusesSong Writing

The author of Help! 100 Songwriting, Recording And Career Tips Used By The Beatles, explains how the group crafted their choruses so effectively.

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular Music

Lace the Music: How LSD Changed Popular MusicSong Writing

Starting in Virginia City, Nevada and rippling out to the Haight-Ashbury, LSD reshaped popular music.

Steely Dan

Steely DanFact or Fiction

Did they really trade their guitarist to The Doobie Brothers? Are they named after something naughty? And what's up with the band name?

Millie Jackson

Millie JacksonSongwriter Interviews

Outrageously gifted and just plain outrageous, Millie is an R&B and Rap innovator.

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine Band

Harry Wayne Casey of KC and The Sunshine BandSongwriter Interviews

Harry Wayne Casey tells the stories behind KC and The Sunshine Band hits like "Get Down Tonight," "That's The Way (I Like It)," and "Give It Up."

Francis Rossi of Status Quo

Francis Rossi of Status QuoSongwriter Interviews

Doubt led to drive for Francis, who still isn't sure why one of Status Quo's biggest hits is so beloved.