Shirt

## ShirtSong by SZA

"**Shirt**" (also known as "**Bloodstain**") is the nineteenth track and third single from SZA's sophomore album *SOS*. It was released through Top Dawg and RCA on October 28, 2022.

## Background and release

SZA first posted a 29-second clip of the song on her Instagram account through the app's Stories feature on October 7, 2020. The clip also had text tagging the song's producer and co-writer Rodney Jerkins. Exactly two months and a day later on December 8, a fan account on the video-sharing app TikTok re-posted a shorter version of the video, causing the video to go viral and attract 12.7 million views and 1.7 million likes on the app as of November 2022. Within a month, the video's sound garnered a dance challenge to it on the app, causing the singer to join in on the trend and post herself dancing to it. She informed her fans about the state of the song on January 28, saying that finishing it became her "only priority". Based on its lyrics, fans and viewers referred to the song as "Shirt" and "Bloodstain", to which SZA reacted on Twitter on January 8, 2021:

> **"I heard y’all named the tik Tok song “shirt” lol . I’m fine w that"**
>
>

An extended snippet of the song was featured at the tail end of the "Good Days" music video, released on March 4, 2021. On July 2, 2021, she performed a snippet of the song as part of a streamed live session. During a performance at Mad Cool on July 10, 2022, SZA revealed that American rapper and singer Doja Cat is set to be featured on a remix of the song.

> **“Want to know a secret? You all want to know who’s on this song? It’ll be like our secret, right? The hint is we already have a song together. Her name starts with a ‘D’ and it rhymes with Soulja.”**
>
>

When performing at Austin City Limits on October 16, she confirmed rumors that the song was supposed to come out on October 14. The release was postponed due to SZA's discontent with the video. On October 21, the song was mistakenly put on streaming services and removed instantly. The song and its music video was officially announced on October 26, and both were released two days later. A lyric video of the song made by FahMeedX (who also created the official lyric videos for "Good Days" and "I Hate U" was also released days later on November 1.

## Music video

On October 14, SZA stated that she had just turned the video in after changing "one small thing". The singer posted a preview on her social media on October 26. SZA is seen chatting with a man, played by LaKeith Stanfield. The music video, directed by Dave Meyers was released on October 28. As with her previous singles, the ending features a snippet of another upcoming song. She revealed the song to be called "Blind" on her social media.

## Lyrics

**[Verse 1]**

Kiss me dangerous

Been so lost without you all around me

Get anxious

Lead me, don't look back

It's all about you

**[Pre-Chorus]**

In the dark right now

Feelin' lost, but I like it

Comfort in my sins and all about me

All I got right now

Feel the taste of resentment

Simmer in my skin, it's all about

**[Chorus]**

Bloodstain on my shirt

New bitch on my nerves

Old n\*gga got curved

Going back on my word

Damn, bitch, you so thirsty

Still don't know my worth

Still stressin' perfection

Let you all in my mental

Got me lookin' too desperate

Damn (You ain't deserve)

**[Verse 2]**

Broad day, sunshine

I'll find a way to fuck it up still

Can't cry about the shit that I can't change

Just my mind

Gotta get outta here

Tough crowd, hate it

Can't stay

**[Pre-Chorus]**

In the dark right now

Feelin' lost, but I like it

Comfort in my sins and all about me

All I got right now

Feel the taste of resentment

Simmer in my skin

It's all about

**[Chorus]**

Bloodstain on my shirt

New bitch on my nerves

Old n\*gga got curved

Going back on my word

Damn, bitch, you so thirsty

Still don't know my worth

Still stressin' perfection

Let you all in my mental

Got me lookin' too desperate

Damn

**[Bridge]**

It's what you say and how you do me

How I'm 'posed to trust, baby? 'Posed to love?

It ain't supposed to hurt this way

All I need is the best of you

Baby, how I got to say it? Give me all of you

**[Pre-Chorus]**

In the dark right now

Feelin' lost, but I like it

Comfort in my sins and all about me

All I got right now

Feel the taste of resentment

Simmer in my skin

It's all about

**[Chorus]**

Bloodstain on my shirt

New bitch on my nerves

Old n\*gga got curved

Going back on my word

Damn, bitch, you so thirsty

Still don't know my worth

Still stressin' perfection

Let you all in my mental

Got me lookin' too desperate

Damn (You ain't deserve)

## References

1. ↑ *SZA - From deleted TikTok account*
2. ↑ *SZA - Twitter (Jan 8, 2021)*
3. ↑ *SZA’s Long-Awaited New Song ‘Shirt’ Finally Hit Spotify Only To Be Removed Shortly After*
4. ↑ *SZA - Instagram (Oct 28, 2022)*