Released: 2017
“The Weekend” by SZA dives deep into the complexities and raw realities of modern relationships, especially those that tread into the territory of infidelity. SZA narrates from the perspective of the “other woman,” laying out a scenario where she shares a man with another woman, but seemingly approaches it with a sense of agency rather than victimhood. This track boldly navigates the grey areas of love, lust, and the negotiations they demand in secret spaces.
The hook “My man is my man, is your man, Heard it’s her man too” is a bold, upfront admission of sharing a man between multiple partners, which sets the tone for the song’s theme of shared love interests. The days of the week—Tuesday to Friday—are used metaphorically to signify the time slots shared and negotiated between the women involved with the same man. Here, SZA flips a typically disempowering situation on its head, suggesting a sense of control over when and how she’s involved with this man, presenting an unconventional take on empowerment within a love triangle.
Lines like “You’re like nine to five, I’m the weekend” cleverly play on the idea of the main chick versus the side chick, with SZA positioning herself as the weekend fling—a fun, exciting break from the routine. Yet, this comparison goes deeper, hinting at the tension between societal norms of monogamy and the reality of human desires and infidelities. Through “Make him lose his mind every weekend,” SZA brings to the table the emotional intensity and physicality that define her clandestine encounters, starkly contrasting with the monotony of weekday routine. The song’s bridge, “Bright ideas, We got bright ideas,” could be seen as a sarcastic nod to the “brilliant” justification or the false sense of innovation in managing such a complex love arrangement.
Throughout the song, SZA navigates these themes with a mix of confidence, resignation, and a touch of humor, subverting expectations and taking charge of the narrative. “The Weekend” is not just about the intricate dynamics of sharing a lover; it’s a declaration of self-worth, empowerment, and the refusal to be boxed into traditional roles—even if that comes with its own set of challenges and criticisms.
