Released: 2018
“SAD!” by XXXTENTACION is a deeply introspective track that dives into the turmoil of dealing with heartbreak and the idea of letting go. X wrestles with his vulnerability, articulating a sense of pain and despair that’s laced with the threat of self-harm. It’s a raw, emotional expression that’s emblematic of X’s style, resonating with fans who feel the same sense of inner conflict and anguish.
Right off the bat, X questions his identity, “Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh,” signaling a deep insecurity and fear of losing himself in the process of detachment. The line “You decide, if you’re ever gonna let me know, yeah,” is a call-out to a partner or a significant other, highlighting a lack of communication and control in the relationship. The repeated mention of “Suicide” is jarring; X confronts the darkest thoughts that haunt him, revealing the stakes of his emotional state are life and death, emphasizing how intense and real his pain is.
When X spits “I gave her everything / She took my heart and left me lonely,” he’s breaking down the narrative of his relationship – one where he invested everything only to end up isolated and heartbroken. His belief that a “broken heart’s contagious” alludes to the idea that this kind of pain can spread and affect others, or perhaps warp someone’s perception of love in the future. The lyrics oscillate between hope and despair – “I’m lost then I’m found / But it’s torture bein’ in love” – capturing the complexity of his feelings, being both lost in the wilderness of emotion but somewhat grounded when his love is near. Still, that love is double-edged, bringing as much pain as it does comfort.
Through the hook that weaves throughout the song – “Who am I? Someone that’s afraid to let go, uh / You decide, if you’re ever gonna let me know, yeah / Suicide, if you ever try to let go, uh / I’m sad I know, yeah, I’m sad I know, yeah” – X grapples with his sense of self, dependence on another for emotional stability, and the battle between wanting to be informed about where he stands versus the fear of what that truth might be. Words like “Suicide” heavy the air, conveying the life-or-death intensity of how he values this connection, while affirming his awareness of the situation with “I’m sad I know, yeah.”
In “SAD!”, XXXTENTACION lays bare a struggle that is acutely personal yet universally relatable. He paints a stark portrait of love, attachment, and identity crisis, conveying through his distinctive sound and emotionally raw lyrics a message that transcends the music – the complexities of being young, vulnerable, and in pain. It’s a track that cuts deep into the listener’s psyche, leaving a lasting impression of X’s candid confrontation with his inner demons.
