Open Arms
by SZA (featuring Travis Scott)

Album: SOS (2022)
Charted: 63 54
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Songfacts®:

  • "Open Arms" is a soulful ballad where SZA sings about her devotion to her romantic partner. On the second verse, the R&B singer's insecurities creep in. She tells her lover that even if he pushes her away, she'll still be there for him with open arms.
  • Travis Scott contributes a laid-back Auto-Tuned verse from the perspective of SZA's man. He too is devoted to his sweetheart. The Texan assures her he's "locked in for life."
  • Scott previously featured on SZA's CTRL track "Love Galore." The Texan rapper also contributed background vocals on another SOS tune, "Low." In addition, SZA and Scott linked up with The Weeknd for the 2019 Game Of Thrones-inspired track "Power is Power."
  • "Open Arms" starts with a spoken-word intro by SZA's late grandmother, Norma Rowe. She reminds her granddaughter that trying your hardest is all that can be expected of anyone. SZA previously featured her nana's advice on the CTRL tracks "Love Galore," "Garden (Say It Like Dat)," and "20 Something." She also opens the SOS song "Used."
  • SZA and Travis Scott co-wrote "Open Arms" with:

    Scott's friend and onetime tourmate Dougie F.

    SZA's go-to collaborator Rob Bisel.

    Producer and songwriter Michael Uzowuru (Frank Ocean's "In My Room," Beyonce's "Brown Skin Girl," Rosalia's "Saoko").

    Actor and songwriter Teo Halm (Rosalia's "Con Altura," Beyoncé, Jay-Z and Childish Gambino's "Mood 4 Eva").
  • Bisel, Uzowuru and Halm produced the song. Halm also played all the instruments (drums, guitar, keyboards) and Bisel sang the background vocals.

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