Ghost in the Machine

## *S.O.S (SZA album)* chronology

> "*That record is insane. [SZA] just sent me a DM and it all happened so fast. I’m not really used to that. Personally, I sit on stuff for so long, it takes me years to make albums, so I like being involved and seeing someone else’s world from [a different] angle. She’s so effective and cool, and a great hang.*"
> ― Phoebe Bridgers
>
>

**"Ghost in the Machine"** is a song by American singer and songwriter SZA featuring Phoebe Bridgers. It was released on SZA's second studio album, *S.O.S*, on December 9, 2022 by Top Dawg Entertainment and RCA Records. The song spent 7 weeks on Billboard's Hot 100 Chart, it peaked at number 40. The song also spent 1 week on Billboard's Streaming Song chart and peaked at #31, and spent two weeks on Billboard's Global 200 and peaked at #52.

## Background

The song explores how SZA’s growing contempt of the music industry “machine” she finds herself in. Frustrated, she is looking for her partner to offer her an escape from her situation, even if temporary. While, Bridgers explores feelings of loneliness while travelling due to her career.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1: SZA]**

Everything disgusting, conversation is so boring

Heard about what?

"I hate her," "I don't agree," "I did it first"

I give a fuck

I just wanna fuck, eat, sleep, love happy

Can you make me happy? Can you keep me happy?

**[Pre-Chorus: SZA]**

Can you distract me from all the disaster?

Can you touch on me and not call me after?

Can you hate on me and mask it with laughter?

Can you lead me to the ark? What's the password?

**[Chorus: SZA]**

I need humanity

Y'all lack humanity, drowning in vanity

Craving humanity

Y'all lack humanity, I need humanity

I need–

**[Verse 2: SZA]**

Everybody wanna be beautiful, scared of the unusual

Scared of givin' mutual respect, all that you hate

You reflect all that godlike, you forget how to love somebody

I hate everybody, I hate everyone

Let's talk about A.I., robot got more heart than I

Robot got future, I don't

Robot get sleep, but I don't power down

I'm wide open, I'm awake, I'm on autopilot

I'm out of my mind and I'm wide open

**[Pre-Chorus: SZA]**

Can you distract me from all the disaster?

Can you touch on me and not call me after?

Can you hate on me and mask it with laughter?

Can you lead me to the ark? What's the password?

**[Chorus: SZA]**

I need humanity

Y'all lack humanity, drowning in vanity

Craving humanity

Y'all lack humanity, I need humanity

I need–

**[Verse 3: Phoebe Bridgers]**

You said all of my friends are on my payroll

You're not wrong, you're an asshole

Screaming at you in the Ludlow

I was yours for free

I don't get existential

I just think about myself and look where that got me

Standin' on my own in an airport bar or hotel lobby

Waiting to feel clean

That's so fucking boring

**[Pre-Chorus: SZA]**

Can you distract me from all the disaster?

Can you touch on me and not call me after?

Can you hate on me and mask it with laughter?

Can you lead me to the ark? What's the password?

**[Chorus: SZA]**

I need humanity

Y'all lack humanity, drowning in vanity

Craving humanity

Y'all lack humanity, I need humanity

I need–

**[Outro: Sadhguru & SZA]**

Those who have forsaken their humanity

They like to patch their life with morality

I think I might be tryna patch my life with morality

I'm curious, I'm curious

## References

1. ↑ Danny Elfman and Phoebe Bridgers on ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ live in concert: “It’s such a cool thing to be part of”
2. ↑ Phoebe Bridgers Billboard Chart History