Lizzo’s ‘Special’ album is for those of us who opted to have a healing summer. Though I liked Lizzo, I hadn’t ever listened to any of her albums, so after writing about her Audacy Listening Party, I decided to give “Special” a listen as l researched the artist and the album more.
Now listen, I am not a music critic or writer, but I believe in letting you all know when something is good, and I was blown away literally, by the instrumentation alone. But it was Lizzo’s soulfulness, humor, wordplay, confidence, flirtiness, ratchedness at times- ok, a lot of times, but it’s Lizzo- it’s a combination of all those things.
From the introduction song, Sign, I knew it was going to be good.
Sign
Hi, motherfuckers did you miss me
I’ve been home since 2020
I’ve been twerking and making smoothies
It’s called healing,
And I feel better since you seen me last
Followed by About Damn Time, which really has that disco, late 70s, early 80’s feel. 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) takes us back in time. I went back to Teen Witch personally, but it definitely makes you want to sing into your hairbrush while bopping around with legwarmers on. And if you, too, are on a healing journey this summer, you will get the words. This one is in my top three favorites. Plus, she mentions self-worth, and that just makes me love it more.
Everybody’s Gay, which is another one I like, sounds very similar to a Michael Jackson song. I imagine people at a disco dancing high as hell whenever I hear that one. Break Up Twice has that 90s Lauryn Hill, Doo Wap (That Thing) feel.
Grrrls is nice and celebrates sisterhood, which is a theme Lizzo touches on frequently on this album. That is another reason why I think this album is so awesome. It is like an ode to sisterhood and being with your girlfriends. Birthday Girl is in true Black girl, woman fashion. I love when she says she started from the bottom with her h*es…. I’m not really one to call other women “b*tch,” but I Love You B*tch is also one of my top three.
I Love You B*tch
Give me your heart, no repo
Figured me out, no cheat code
Give your hoodie it’s too cold
Bless your heart it’s too small
This part always makes me smile and think of past friendships when I was younger. The type of healthy friendships I long for now as an adult.
Special
I’m used to feeling alone, oh
So I thought that I’d let you know
In case nobody told you today
You’re special
Those are some of the lyrics from Special, which really made me emotional. It’s in my top three favorites. Initially, I wondered what made this song worth titling the album with the same name, but I get it now. The horns are everything, but most importantly, with this track, the Bout Dam singer touches on self-love. Great choice.
‘Special’ was not the usual album filled with pain and adultery of some sort. Though the Truth Hurts singer often mentions men doing wrong, it’s more like, “but I’m past that.”
Naked, If You Love Me, and Coldplay are beautiful, vulnerable love ballads and sound like real things women think about and want to say to men and themselves. Coldplay also has that 70s feel. Let me also add that most of the song credits that I checked included Lizzo.
Lizzo seems like she is a young woman living her best and most carefree life (as carefree as one can get because we all have insecurities) and being treated right. Kudos to her.
I hope you cry, laugh, dance, twerk. Do the splits. Do whatever you wanna do. I’m honored to be doing it with you.– Lizzo
Thank you, Lizzo! I did all of those things. This album is just what I needed for the journey I am on.
