SZA - Special

Although “Special” discusses the unrealistic beauty standards women face, this song has a positive message and criticizes how these standards may make women feel.  This song addresses the idea that there is too much pressure on individuals today to be “special” while also fitting in with the current trends. Underlined in blue are lyrics that discuss some of the common ways women feel pressured, such as the changing trends of wanting to be “thick” versus “thin.” 

“Special” also shows that relationships with other people may impact our confidence and self-esteem—even affecting how we view ourselves. Examples of this can be shown in the blue underline, like, “You say I’m too wild,” emphasizing how the person she was in a relationship with made her feel as though she wasn’t enough. While it is empowering that she can admit that someone else has had such a large impact on her life—and important that she can address an experience that seemed to have hurt and changed her so greatly—no person should be able to make someone else feel unworthy.  

 In addition to being impacted by people we know; SZA also discusses how we can be influenced by people we haven’t even met. In the lyric underlined in pink, SZA says that she “never liked her,” referring to the “perfect” model from Gucci, because of the ideals these models push on girls of all ages. However, SZA also says she wanted to be like her—showing how much power models and influencers have over people today. Although SZA doesn’t agree with what this model represents, she can’t help but want to be like her—and to achieve the impossible by fitting in with everyone else while also being “special.” SZA’s lyrics perfectly describe how people are told to behave in today’s society, which is completely unachievable, yet still the standard.

By highlighting how much other people can influence us, SZA shows through “Special” why it is so important to be true to who you are, and to realize that no one can take your view of yourself away.