Released: 2017
Boasting a rich tapestry of complex emotions and the depths of self-identity, “Normal Girl” by SZA is a poignant exploration of the challenges faced by young women in today’s society. The lyrics lay bare the struggle to satisfy external perceptions and graft oneself onto societal norms, while battling internal turmoil.
In the opening lines, SZA sets down an array of visual actions she undertakes to win affection and approval (“pop my top”, “lose my cool”, “pump my fist”, “bust my hip”). These lines encapsulate how she adjusts her behavior to earn love, a critique on societal pressure on women to fit construed ideals of femininity.
The recurring phrase, “type of girl you take over to mama” is a potent representation of the societal stamp of approval – the quintessential ‘good girl’ that both parents and peers would love. She contrasts this vision with her self-perception – the lamenting refrain “I wish I was a normal girl” implies a dissatisfaction with her inability to conform.
Throughout the song, she grapples with her desire to be the ‘aggressive’ woman that her partner likes, again underlining the pressure to adapt her personality to maintain her relationship. The lines “Get it if you got it, I’m ready and waiting for it / I’m calling to put it on” reveal her grappling with societal expectations of passivity in women, as she steps forward assertively instead.
One of the most poignant aspects of the song is its exploration of SZA’s relationship with herself. The struggle is noted in the lines “How do I be, how do I be your baby?” It’s a desperate seek for instructions to navigate her own identity, to fit into the mould her partner desires. By the end of the song, she quits on herself because she can’t figure her way out of this conflict, suggesting a tragic surrendering to these societal and relational pressures.
All in all, “Normal Girl” is SZA’s battle cry against societal norms and expectations, baring the intimate struggle of self-identification and the craving for acceptance. The potency of the song lies in its raw honesty and SZA’s unfiltered vocal delivery, making it a powerful anthem for the complexities of modern womanhood.
