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

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)

Jason Newsted (ex-Metallica)Songwriter Interviews

The former Metallica bassist talks about his first time writing a song with James Hetfield, and how a hand-me-down iPad has changed his songwriting.

Second Wind Songs

Second Wind SongsSong Writing

Some songs get a second life when they find a new audience through a movie, commercial, TV show, or even the Internet.

Kip Winger

Kip WingerSongwriter Interviews

The Winger frontman reveals the Led Zeppelin song he cribbed for "Seventeen," and explains how his passion for orchestra music informs his songwriting.

Alice Cooper

Alice CooperFact or Fiction

How well do you know this shock-rock harbinger who's been publicly executed hundreds of times?

Glen Ballard

Glen BallardSongwriter Interviews

Glen Ballard talks about co-writing and producing Alanis Morissette's Jagged Little Pill album, and his work with Dave Matthews, Aerosmith and Annie Lennox.

N.W.A vs. the World

N.W.A vs. the WorldSong Writing

How the American gangsta rappers made history by getting banned in the UK.