"Saturn" | ||||
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Single by SZA | ||||
from the album Lana | ||||
Released | February 22, 2024 | |||
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Length | 3:06 | |||
Label | ||||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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SZA singles chronology | ||||
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Audio | ||||
"Saturn" on YouTube |
"Saturn" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA. It is the lead single from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022). It is a song about nihilism and escapism, discussing one's lamentations about why bad things happen to good people and wishes to leave Earth for another planet, Saturn, where they could possibly live a better life. "Saturn" features a twinkly instrumental, a result of a combination of arpeggios and beaming synthesizers. The song was surprise-released on February 22, 2024, after its official debut at the year's Grammy Awards ceremony over two weeks prior. "Saturn" is nominated at the 67th Annual Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song and Best R&B Performance. [1] The cover is a reference to the cover of her song "Love Galore" (2017).
American singer-songwriter SZA's second studio album, SOS (2022), was met with critical and commercial success upon its release. [2] [3] The album opened with a score of 94 on the review aggregate website Metacritic, [4] debuted atop the Billboard 200, broke a string of chart records, and spawned several career milestones. [5] SZA teased the imminent release of the deluxe version on Instagram upon SOS's release in early December 2022, [6] and she teased it again on a December 21 post, where she expressed gratitude for the album's number-one debut: "Imma take another swing at it for the deluxe then shut up for a while." [7]
On September 8, 2023, SZA held an exclusive surprise concert at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in celebration of SOS, where she revealed that the previously announced deluxe edition grew into its own studio album called Lana (2024). [8] On the set list were a few unreleased songs, namely "PSA", [8] which was used in the official teaser for SOS; [9] "Diamond Boy (DTM)", [10] which was teased during the music video for the SOS single "Snooze" (2023); [11] "BMF"; and "Saturn". [8] At the 66th Annual Grammy Awards, held on February 4, 2024, SZA officially debuted "Saturn" in full as part of a Mastercard commercial break. [12] [13]
"Saturn" was written by SZA and its producers Carter Lang, Rob Bisel, Solomonophonic (Jared Solomon), and Monsune (Scott Zhang). [14] A fusion of R&B, pop, alternative, [15] and psychedelic styles, [16] the production combines a slow, [17] smooth-flowing boom bap rhythm with arpeggiation, beaming synthesizers, [18] stacked harmonies, [16] and vocal runs. [19] The result is a twinkly instrumental that critics described as dreamy and glittery. [note 1] Billboard critics deemed "Saturn" a continuation of SOS in terms of not only its atmospheric soundscape but also its various lyrical narratives, such as self-deprecation and reconciliation with difficult emotional struggles. [16]
As some critics noted, the tranquil and mellifluous sound of the instruments and SZA's voice is a stark contrast to the song's themes of hopelessness. [23] [21] Others connected the song's title to a person's Saturn return, which happens 29.5 years after their birth and signals the beginning of new adult challenges and eye-opening epiphanies; [21] [24] SZA was 34 years old at the time of release. [25] Publications noted "Saturn" was released just two weeks between two other songs about Saturn returns, "Deeper Well" by Kacey Musgraves and "Saturn Returns Interlude" by Ariana Grande, and thus analyzed the songs with assistance from astrologists. [note 2] Scottish astrologist Garland, interviewed by BBC News, said that SZA and the two other musicians, all of whom were in their early- to mid-30s, were in a "perfect age for self-reflection". [32]
In the lyrics, a nihilistic SZA sings of an existential crisis [21] and expresses disillusionment with living on Earth, questioning if the world will get more just [33] and wishing there was something more to life than suffering. [16] [24] She laments why the concept of nirvana, or freedom from suffering, was "not as advertised" to her, [34] and she wonders why karma seems to always be unfair to good people, who all tend to "die young and poor": [21] "If there's a point to being good / Then where's my reward?" [17] The pre-chorus features the lines "Stuck in this paradigm / Don't believe in paradise / This must be what hell is like." [35]
SZA, in the chorus, entertains the idea of leaving Earth for a potentially better life on Saturn, a place where she could possibly break free from toxic habits and the pain of heartbreak; [36] [22] she signals for help from another universe earlier in the first verse. [37] Later, the song takes a turn for the hopeful. In line with what SZA told People magazine after the Grammy Awards, "Saturn" says that while people long for escapism from the world's turmoil, they will eventually "find something worth saving" on Earth. [37] [38] With the line, SZA resists the pain of solitude and constant heartbreak, [21] and with the next lyric "It's all for the taking, I always say," she reinforces she is in control of her life and has the power to make the world a better place. [22]
"Saturn" was surprise-released to streaming services on February 22, 2024, reportedly as the lead single from Lana, the reissue of SOS. The release came with a five-track bundle, which consists of the original version, a live version, a sped up version, an instrumental version, and an a cappella version. [14] [39] The versions were updated sometime later with their mixing changed. [16]
"Saturn" debuted at number six on the US Billboard Hot 100 with 25 million US streams, 2,000 digital sales, and 960,000 radio audience, her 10th top 10 song in the country. [40] It replaced her own single "Snooze" (2023) at number one on Hot R&B Songs; in doing so, she completed a one-year consecutive run atop the chart. [41] "Saturn" scored more top 15 debuts in the UK, where it was her 13th top 40 appearance, [42] and in Australia, where it debuted at number 8. [43] "Saturn" returned to the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 on the chart dated April 27, 2024. [44]
SZA's Mastercard performance began with her hanging from a vine as it descended down the stage, [45] which featured a forest-themed backdrop in line with the commercial's message. [46] She wore a top made of real tree seeds, [38] a costume that Brittany Spanos of Rolling Stone compared to that of a "forest nymph". [46] Backup dancers accompanied SZA as she explored the forest, [35] where she found and swung on a swing, [46] and during the outro, she recited the ad read: "We're a force of nature when we come together." The performance was part of an advertisement for Mastercard's Priceless Planet Coalition initiative, a campaign that seeks to plant 100 million trees across the world to fight climate change by restoring forests worldwide. [45] [46]
Starting in mid-March 2024, SZA included "Saturn" in some set lists of her SOS Tour, beginning with her Latin American Lollapalooza headlining concerts such as in Chile. [47]
Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref. |
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2024 | BET Awards | BET HER Award | Nominated | [48] |
2024 | MTV Video Music Awards | Song of Summer | Nominated | [49] |
2024 | Billboard Music Awards | Top R&B Song | Nominated | [50] |
2025 | NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Soul/R&B Song | Pending | [51] |
2025 | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Song | Pending | [52] |
Best R&B Performance | Pending |
Musicians
Technical
Weekly charts
| Year-end charts
|
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
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Canada (Music Canada) [91] | Platinum | 80,000‡ |
New Zealand (RMNZ) [92] | Platinum | 30,000‡ |
United Kingdom (BPI) [93] | Silver | 200,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
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Various | February 22, 2024 | [94] | ||
United States | March 5, 2024 | Contemporary hit radio | [95] | |
Rhythmic contemporary radio | [96] |
Solána Imani Rowe, known professionally as SZA, is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She first gained recognition through her self-released EPs See.SZA.Run (2012) and S (2013), which helped her become the first female artist to sign with Top Dawg Entertainment. Her third EP, Z (2014), was her first project to be released to digital retailers and reached the top-ten on the U.S. Independent Albums chart.
The discography of American singer-songwriter SZA consists of 2 studio albums, 1 reissue album, 3 extended plays (EPs), 1 live album, and 48 singles.
"Good Days" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA on December 25, 2020, as the lead single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). SZA wrote the song alongside Jacob Collier, who provides background vocals, and with producers Carter Lang, Los Hendrix, and Nascent.
"Shirt" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the third single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). Produced by Darkchild and Freaky Rob, it is an R&B song, with elements of trap music, backed by synthesizers and 808 beats. The lyrics are about a toxic relationship that consumes SZA and entices her to return, despite leaving her directionless and mentally exhausted. They include themes present throughout SOS: deep introspection, the pursuit of perfection, and the conflict between love and hatred. A snippet of "Shirt", prior to its official release, spawned a viral dance challenge on TikTok, where over a million videos used the sound. After being first previewed online two years beforehand, the song was released on October 28, 2022.
"I Hate U" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the second single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It was released on digital streaming platforms on December 3, 2021, after being uploaded on SoundCloud on August 22. "I Hate U" is an electro-R&B song with a "crunching", light instrumental, containing a relaxed, "ethereal" chorus, and hip hop-influenced verses. A break-up song, it finds SZA detailing what went wrong in a past relationship, expressing resentment towards an ex-partner but acknowledging that she still misses them.
"Blind" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It is a beatless R&B and folk-pop song, featuring an orchestral production that consists of acoustic guitars, violas, and trumpets. SZA's vocal performance combines a rap cadence and slow falsetto vocals, with added vocal runs. In the song, SZA explores the duality of love and muses on a former relationship, as she expresses her disappointment to a toxic past partner while also expressing her continued attraction to him. For the chorus, SZA admits her insecurities in spite of seeking validation through sex, feeling empty and unable to find self-love within herself as a result of a failed romance. "Blind" also incorporates several pop culture references to figures such as Bob Saget and Jesus.
"PSA" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was intended to appear on her second studio album SOS (2022), as well as its reissue Lana (2024).
SOS is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released on December 9, 2022, by Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) and RCA Records. The album features guest appearances from Don Toliver, Phoebe Bridgers, Travis Scott, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. SZA worked with a variety of record producers and songwriters such as Babyface, Jeff Bhasker, Rob Bisel, Benny Blanco, Darkchild, DJ Dahi, Ant Clemons, and Lizzo. It serves as the follow-up to SZA's debut album Ctrl (2017).
"Nobody Gets Me" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the fourth single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It was sent to Italian radio on January 6, 2023, and US contemporary hit radio four days later. The song peaked at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the Canadian Hot 100, and the Official New Zealand Music Chart.
"Kill Bill" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the fifth single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It is a pop and R&B murder ballad, built around a midtempo, groovy rhythm and a detuned melody. Guitars, a bassline, and a flute that was sampled from a Prophet-6 synthesizer constitute the song's production, which is influenced by the boom bap subgenre of hip hop. Mirroring the plot of the Kill Bill film duology (2003–2004) after which the song is named, the lyrics discuss a fantasy to kill an ex-boyfriend and his new girlfriend out of jealousy, and they employ humorous irony alongside violent imagery that contrasts with SZA's soft vocals. "Kill Bill" was sent to US radio on January 10, 2023, after achieving success on streaming services.
"Snooze" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA and the sixth single from her second studio album, SOS (2022). It is an R&B song with a midtempo rhythm, featuring an instrumental that consists of bass, guitars, drums, and synthesizers. The main vocals are complemented by several layers of harmonies beneath, and a riff appears at the song's beginning. The lyrics are about SZA's obsessive devotion to a love interest who does not reciprocate her intense feelings of yearning, despite her willingness to prove her love with violence. "Snooze" was sent to radio on April 25, 2023, and a four-track single was released on digital streaming platforms on August 25. An acoustic version featuring Justin Bieber followed on September 15.
"Ghost in the Machine" is a song by the American singer-songwriter SZA from her second studio album, SOS (2022), featuring the American singer-songwriter Phoebe Bridgers. The song is a ballad that falls within the indie pop and R&B genres; music critics described it as a cross between Bridgers's and SZA's respective sounds. Written in a conversational style, the lyrics express disillusionment with inauthentic relationships, the inhumane behavior of other people, and artificial intelligence. They also portray SZA asking her lover to provide an escape from a world she sees as having been consumed by vanity.
"Low" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from her second album, SOS (2022). It was written alongside Jozzy and producers Rob Bisel, Aire Atlantica, & Alessandro Buccellati, and features adlibs from fellow American singer and rapper Travis Scott. It charted in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, with a number 24 peak on the Billboard Global 200. The song received a nomination for the Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance at the 66th ceremony.
"Diamond Boy (DTM)" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022).
Lana is the reissue of SOS (2022), the second studio album by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released on December 20, 2024, through Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. It features a single guest appearance from Kendrick Lamar. The album was supported by the singles "Saturn", "Drive", "BMF", and "30 for 30".
"BMF" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022). It references Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", both of which feature a "south Detroit" line, and interpolates the 1960s bossa nova single "The Girl from Ipanema". "BMF" was originally going to feature American singer and rapper Lizzo.
"Drive" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022). It was released on December 20, 2024, by Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records as the second single from Lana. A music video for the song, starring Ben Stiller, premiered on the same day.
"30 for 30" is a song by SZA and Kendrick Lamar from Lana (2024), the reissue of SZA's second studio album SOS (2022). It was released alongside "BMF" as the reissue's third and fourth singles on January 7, 2025.
"Kitchen" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA. It was released on December 20, 2024, as the eleventh track from Lana (2024), the reissue of SZA's second studio album SOS (2022). The song samples "Voyage to Atlantis" (1977) by American music group the Isley Brothers.
"Scorsese Baby Daddy" is a song by American singer-songwriter SZA from Lana (2024), the reissue of her second studio album SOS (2022). The title references film director Martin Scorsese. In the lyrics, SZA expresses her desire to find a boyfriend who reminds her of the characters from Scorsese's filmography, who tend to be violent criminals. SZA has teased a music video for "Scorsese Baby Daddy".