Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)

"Kiss Me More" is a multifaceted anthem that primarily celebrates female desire, agency, and the longing for affectionate intimacy. At its core, the song is a straightforward plea for more physical passion, specifically kissing, within a romantic relationship. Doja Cat explained, "I wanted to make a song about kissing. I just thought it would be cute." This simple premise, however, unfolds to reveal deeper themes. The song champions a form of intimacy that is both sensual and emotionally connective, suggesting that physical acts like kissing are not just preludes to sex but meaningful expressions of affection in their own right.

The lyrics, sung by both Doja Cat and SZA, present confident and unapologetic female perspectives on sexuality. They subvert traditional narratives by positioning the women as the architects of their own romantic and sexual experiences. Doja's verses are playful and direct, expressing a clear desire for her partner to be less hesitant and more physically demonstrative. SZA's verse adds a layer of complexity by discussing a past relationship that felt constricting ("Fucking with you feel like jail"), thereby highlighting the importance of freedom, respect, and setting boundaries in a healthy partnership. Together, their verses create a powerful narrative about knowing what you want in a relationship and not being afraid to ask for it. The song serves as an anthem of female empowerment, encouraging women to embrace their sexuality and desires without inhibition.

The song unfolds as a dialogue about desire and intimacy, primarily focusing on the act of kissing as a central theme. The narrative begins with an acknowledgment of a comfortable, established physical relationship that includes cuddling and love-making. However, there's a palpable yearning for something more fundamental and passionate: more kissing. This desire is presented as a simple, almost innocent request, yet it's layered with a deeper need for affection and connection beyond the routine.

The chorus reinforces this plea, framing it within a context of youthful freedom and spontaneity. The lines, "We're so young, boy, we ain't got nothin' to lose," suggest a carefree attitude, encouraging the partner to shed inhibitions and embrace the moment. The phrase "it's just principle" hints that this expression of affection is a fundamental, expected part of a passionate relationship, not just a casual act. The repetition of wanting to be held and appreciating the way they move together underscores the physical chemistry and compatibility between the two.

The post-chorus introduces a more explicit and sensual layer. The imagery of writing names on each other and loving the taste is a powerful metaphor for claiming and savoring one another, a mutual act of possession and pleasure. It's a bold declaration of wanting to explore and enjoy every aspect of their partner, emphasizing the sensory experience of their connection.

As the song progresses, the tone becomes more assertive and direct. There's a playful yet firm expression of sexual desire, combined with a willingness to be a bit "corny" or sentimental, suggesting that vulnerability and raw passion can coexist. The lyrics challenge the partner to be more decisive and communicative about their feelings, moving past ambiguity.

SZA's verse introduces a different perspective, adding complexity to the narrative. She addresses a partner, possibly an ex, who was deceitful and unsatisfying. Lines like "Fucking with you feel like jail" and "I can't even exhale" convey a sense of suffocation and restriction in that past relationship. She contrasts this with her own self-worth, referring to her sensuality as a "holy grail." Her verse is a powerful statement of boundaries and recognizing her own value, even while she still engages with the song's central chorus about wanting to be held and kissed. This adds a layer of realism, showing that even with past hurts, the desire for genuine, passionate connection remains. Both artists unite in their call for a more expressive and physically affectionate love, reclaiming the narrative of female desire with confidence and playfulness.

"Kiss Me More" was released on April 9, 2021, as the lead single from Doja Cat's third studio album, Planet Her. The song was written by Doja Cat (Amala Dlamini), SZA (Solána Rowe), and a team of producers and writers including Yeti Beats (David Sprecher), Rogét Chahayed, Tizhimself (Gerard A. Powell II), Carter Lang, and Lukasz Gottwald (Dr. Luke). The track famously interpolates the chorus melody of Olivia Newton-John's 1981 hit "Physical," which led to its songwriters, Steve Kipner and Terry Shaddick, also receiving writing credits.

The collaboration between Doja Cat and SZA was first teased in early 2021. In a March 2021 interview for V Magazine, SZA mentioned their upcoming song, describing it as having "a different strut." Doja Cat expressed her excitement for the collaboration, feeling SZA was a perfect fit for the track's sexy and confident vibe. Doja stated she had been a fan of SZA's music since high school and felt the song was "too perfect" not to have her on it.

The production, led by longtime collaborator Yeti Beats and Rogét Chahayed, aimed for a "cute" and bubbly feel. Chahayed developed the core chord progression, and Yeti Beats worked on the beat, which originally had a slower tempo before being sped up. The song was recorded in September 2020. The music video, directed by Warren Fu, was filmed in March 2021 and offers a visual introduction to the world of "Planet Her," featuring the artists as seductive aliens who capture a human astronaut, played by actor Alex Landi.

"Kiss Me More" operates on a groovy, mid-tempo beat with a distinct disco and pop-rap rhythm that makes it highly danceable. The song's rhythmic foundation is built on a steady four-on-the-floor drum pattern layered with pop and snare sounds, a characteristic feature of its disco influence. The tempo is consistent, creating an infectious and inviting groove that carries throughout the track. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is a key element of its appeal. Doja Cat's verses feature a fluid, conversational rap flow that syncs effortlessly with the underlying beat, while the chorus shifts to a more melodic, sung rhythm that emphasizes the song's catchy hook.

The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward but effective, often utilizing couplets and multi-syllabic rhymes that enhance its lyrical cleverness. For instance, in her verses, Doja Cat pairs lines like "fuckin' somethin'" with "dummy, dummy" and "what if" with "cut the rubbish," creating a playful, rolling cadence. SZA's verse employs a more complex and passionate rhythmic delivery. The structure is designed to be memorable and repetitive, particularly in the chorus and post-chorus, making it an earworm that sticks with the listener. The consistent, upbeat rhythm contributes significantly to the song's overall sensual, carefree, and joyful atmosphere.

Musically, "Kiss Me More" is a masterful blend of genres, primarily a disco-influenced pop and R&B track. Its production is characterized by a "sunny, glimmering riff" from a slightly distorted guitar, lush, pulsating synths, and a bubbly, danceable beat. The song's harmonic progression (ii-V-I-IV) is noteworthy for creating a "woozy" and "drifting" atmosphere, enhanced by the use of seventh chords and a hazy vocal reverb that doesn't push the vocals too far back in the mix. The interpolation of Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" in the chorus adds a layer of nostalgia and a catchy, memorable melodic hook.

Vocally, both artists employ distinct delivery styles. Doja Cat shifts between soft, breathy singing in the chorus and confident, playful rap verses, showcasing her versatility. Her delivery has been described as having a "lighthearted animated" quality that contrasts with her more vulgar rap lyrics, creating a unique dynamic. SZA's vocal performance is noted for its passionate and sultry tone, providing a powerful counterpoint to Doja's laid-back flow. Lyrically, the song uses direct address and vivid, sensual imagery ("All on my tongue, I want it") to create a feeling of intimacy and playful flirtation. The narrative structure, combining Doja's direct plea with SZA's reflective verse on a past relationship, adds depth and complexity to the song's message.

"Kiss Me More" achieved massive commercial success and significant cultural impact upon its release. It became a global hit, reaching number one in countries like New Zealand, Mexico, and Singapore, and charting in the top five in 18 countries, including the US and UK. The song broke records, becoming the longest-running all-female top 10 hit in US Billboard Hot 100 history. It garnered critical acclaim and won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, which was the first Grammy win for both Doja Cat and SZA. The song was also nominated for Record of the Year and Song of the Year.

The track was praised for its celebration of female agency and desire, contributing to contemporary conversations about female empowerment in pop music. ItsWarren Fu-directed music video was widely discussed for its creative, sci-fi concept and its symbolic reversal of gender roles. The song's success solidified Doja Cat's status as a mainstream pop superstar following her breakthrough with the album Hot Pink and the single "Say So". "Kiss Me More" served as the highly successful launch for her third album, Planet Her, establishing its futuristic and female-centric themes. The song has been streamed over two billion times on Spotify, cementing its place as one of the defining pop anthems of the early 2020s.

The music video for "Kiss Me More" is rich with symbolism, creating the fantasy world of "Planet Her." In this world, Doja Cat and SZA are powerful, seductive alien beings who entrap a male astronaut. This dynamic serves as a powerful metaphor for female agency and control over their own sexuality, reversing traditional gender roles where men are typically the pursuers. The planet itself, drenched in shades of pink, reclaims the color to symbolize both femininity and strength.

A key symbolic moment involves the astronaut eating a "forbidden fruit" from a tree, which directly alludes to the biblical story of Adam and Eve. However, in this narrative, it is the man who succumbs to temptation, leading to his capture. The fruit represents the alluring and potent nature of female sexuality and the hidden treasures women have to offer. The ending reveals the entire scenario is a video game controlled by Doja Cat and SZA, reinforcing the theme of them being the architects of the narrative and in complete control. Lyrically, the line "Boy, you write your name, I can do the same" is a metaphor for mutual possession and marking one's territory in a relationship, suggesting a level of parity and shared passion.

The most prominent recurring phrase and central motif of the song is the direct plea, "Can you kiss me more?". This line functions as the song's primary hook and encapsulates its core theme: a desire for greater physical affection. Its repetition throughout the chorus emphasizes the persistent longing and serves as the song's central thesis. The phrase is simple yet powerful, conveying vulnerability and direct desire simultaneously.

Another significant recurring lyrical motif is, "Boy, you write your name, I can do the same / Oh, I love the taste, la-la-la, la-la / All on my tongue, I want it." This section, repeated in the post-chorus, uses the sensual imagery of taste and the act of "writing your name" as a metaphor for mutual possession, intimacy, and the pleasurable claiming of a partner. This recurring motif deepens the song's sensuality beyond just kissing, alluding to a more holistic and passionate physical connection. The repetition of these hooks makes the song incredibly catchy and reinforces its themes of assertive female desire and mutual pleasure.