Low
by SZA

Album: SOS (2022)
Charted: 17
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • On this moody trap-influenced cut, SZA keeps things low. She's over romantic partnerships, so after sex with a dude, she orders him out of her space. SZA wants to keep their carnal meetings clandestine; she whispers in the pre-chorus:

    In the bedroom, I be screamin'
    But outside, I keep it quiet

  • The brisk and ominous trap tune starts with a feel of one that Travis Scott would perform. Then, lo-and-behold the Texan rapper appears with some ad-libs. Scott also features on another SOS track, "Open Arms."
  • SZA wrote the lyrics with singer-songwriter Jocelyn "Jozzy" Donald. Jozzy's other credits include:

    Nicky Jam's 2022 Official 2022 World Cup Song "Live It Up"

    The Billy Ray Cyrus remix of Lil Nas X's mammoth hit single "Old Town Road."

    The original version of Internet Money's "Lemonade" single.

    Beyonce's Renaissance track, "Virgo's Groove."
  • Alessandro Buccellati, Aire Atlantica and SZA's go-to producer Rob Bisel created the dark instrumental. Los Angeles-based songwriter Alessandro Buccellati also worked on Arlo Parks' Mercury Prize-winning Collapsed in Sunbeams album. His brother, Gianluca Buccellati, co-wrote every song on that record. "Low" is New York City producer and engineer Aire Atlantica's first major credit.
  • Alessandro Buccellati played the accordion on the track plus keys with Rob Bisel. Aire Atlantica handled the drums.
  • Asked by Wild 94.9's Angelina what was the hardest song on SOS to write emotionally, SZA replied, "'Low' because I just trying to find that pocket of a certain type of aggression and that was confusing."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Wedding Bell Blues

Wedding Bell BluesSong Writing

When a song describes a wedding, it's rarely something to celebrate - with one big exception.

Rickie Lee Jones

Rickie Lee JonesSongwriter Interviews

Rickie Lee Jones on songwriting, social media, and how she's handling Trump.

Sarah Brightman

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Bill Medley of The Righteous Brothers

Bill Medley of The Righteous BrothersSongwriter Interviews

Medley looks back on "Unchained Melody" and "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" - his huge hits from the '60s that were later revived in movies.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

The Police

The PoliceFact or Fiction

Do their first three albums have French titles? Is "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da" really meaningless? See if you can tell in this Fact or Fiction.