"Brace Yourself" is an unreleased R&B song by American singer-songwriter SZA which was intended for her second studio album SOS and reconsidered for inclusion in the re-issue of the album. It is possibly being reconsidered for the expansion of Lana.
Background[]
The song was originally teased on December 4, 2018, as one of SZA's various Instagram Stories. This clip in question featured the artist driving in a car while the beginning of the song played.
On May 29, 2024, SZA responded to a fan who has been repeatedly listening to the teased snippet and wondering when the song would be releasing, saying she would be recording the music video for the song in the next week.[1] It is unknown whether or not the music video was officially shot, and it is the only time she has publicly acknowledged it.
On July 18, 2019, before her live appearance,[where?] she made a tweet stating that she might perform the song that night and that she had to make a minor adjustment before releasing it. Due to undisclosed conditions, the song remains unreleased.[2]
On December 6, 2024, SZA teased a whiteboard containing possible additions to Lana on her Instagram Stories. The title was censored but ultimately deciphered by fans across Twitter. Due to not appearing in Lana, many are speculating it will be an addition to the One of Them Days soundtrack, alongside unreleased fan-favorite "Asparagus."
On December 20, 2024, the same day Lana was released, SZA announced she would be releasing excluded tracks, which likely includes "Potting Season," "Open Arms (Solo Version)," "Take You Down," and other notable titles.[3] "Brace Yourself" could likely make an appearance in the expansion.
Music video[]
There is a music video for "Brace Yourself" which was recorded sometime within the week of July 21, 2024, according to SZA.[1]
Live performances[]
This song was partially performed once in a live concert setting.[citation needed]
Lyrics[]
[Intro]
Big eyes, better to see you wit'
Better to eat you up
Better to ease your mind
[Verse 1]
Still feel it even if you don't say it (Better not treat your own bad, better unload my nine)
Kingpins wishing on the death of a player (Better unload my nine, better unload my clip, better unload the dime)
I got real n****s over me, I swear (Big eyes)
You playing (Better to see you wit')
You tried it (Better to eat you up, better to feed your bullshit)
I show you how I move and get down (Better not see you, I—)
And you sure you had me figured out
But you had it wrong
You should've stuck to the script
And I'm tired, done being sweet
I'm tired of being sweet, so, baby
[Chorus]
Brace yourself, it could be worse
You could be dead right now
Instead of later, I know you hurting, baby
Brace yourself, it could be worse
You could be dead right now
Instead of later, it's now or never (Baby, ooh)
Ooh, ooh, ooh (Ooh), ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh (Ooh), ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
[Verse 2]
Big eyes, they better to see you wit'
Better to feel you wit'
Better to know your vibe
Better unload your clip
Better not waste your time
Better not change your mind
Better control your drip
n****s be stealing yo shine
n****s be all on yo tip
n****s be all on yo dime
I got bigger plans, on my old dude
Need a man? No, no
These bitches outta hand, no, no
Watch how I tumble and flipping it back
Watching yo n**** keep doubling back
I could make it look good, never looking back
Watch how I tumble and dip on yo ass
[Verse 3]
Green pass, get a pass first time
Never 'gain, get a new one first
Green Jeep to the mm-mm
And I rode that till the sun came
Got Hawaii on my mind
Can't go back 'til the summertime
'Til I think about you, you
Fire back, fire back, fire back, get him
High right now and I still feel like I'm dying
Don't know what I'm to do about the way I feel
You got me tripping out the palm of your hand
[Chorus]
Brace yourself, it could be worse
You could be dead right now
Instead of later, I know you hurting, baby
Brace yourself, it could be worse
You could be dead right now
Instead of later, it's now or never (Baby, ooh)
Ooh, ooh, ooh (Ooh), ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh (Ooh), ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Reference[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 @sza (May 29, 2019). "Shooting brace urself like next week 🤔" (Tweet). Retrieved January 11, 2025 – via Twitter.
- ↑ @sza (July 18, 2019). "Might sing it tnt . I gotta re cut a tiny part then imma jus drop it https://twitter.com/nobodyisbae/status/1152016667926396928" (Tweet). Retrieved January 11, 2025 – via Twitter.
- ↑ @sza (December 20, 2024). "King being kind n finna let me purge it all .. yes im secretly begging for more than this lmao everybody say thank you @iamstillpunch" (Tweet). Retrieved January 11, 2025 – via Twitter.