Staring At The Sun (feat. SZA)

"Staring at the Sun" is a poignant exploration of a doomed and toxic relationship, where both partners are willingly blind to its destructive nature. The central metaphor, staring directly at the sun, powerfully illustrates this self-deception. Just as looking at the sun is harmful and causes blindness, the couple's fixation on an idealized version of their love—the "thought of us"—prevents them from seeing the harsh reality of their incompatibility and the pain they cause each other.

Post Malone's verses are characterized by a raw, self-aware honesty. He admits his flaws and openly warns his partner that he will inevitably "fuck up again" and let her down. This isn't a malicious promise, but a candid acknowledgment of his inability to be the person she wants him to be. He sees her as being too close to his "flame," recognizing his own destructive potential.

SZA's perspective complements this by revealing her own role in this toxic dynamic. She acknowledges her own issues and the difficulty of moving on, singing, "I try to rewind, I get reminded that time don't wait for nobody". She understands that he will disappoint her but admits to being "lost in the light" herself, indicating a shared responsibility for the relationship's failure. They are both trapped in a cycle of denial, unable to break free from the allure of what could be, despite knowing it's hurting them. The song ultimately portrays a tragic sense of resignation, where both individuals are aware of the relationship's inevitable end but are powerless to stop staring at the beautiful, damaging light of their shared illusion.

The narrative unfolds as a dialogue between two lovers trapped in a deteriorating relationship. From the outset, Post Malone's character issues a warning. He cautions his partner to temper her expectations and not get carried away, acknowledging that she is drawn dangerously close to his destructive nature, like a moth to a flame. He is brutally honest about his own flaws, admitting that he cannot promise her happiness and will inevitably let her down. He pleads with her to see the reality of their situation, but she remains fixated on an idealized version of their love. This refusal to see the truth is the central conflict from his perspective; he sees her willful blindness as the core problem, a continuous and damaging act of "staring at the sun."

The chorus, a joint effort, crystallizes this central metaphor. Their obsession with the "thought of us" has blinded them to what they have individually become and the toxicity that defines their connection. Post Malone reiterates his self-awareness, stating that if given another chance, he will only repeat his mistakes—a warning he has given before. Yet, her persistence in ignoring this reality is unwavering. She continues to gaze at the blinding light of what she wants the relationship to be, rather than what it is.

SZA's verse provides the crucial counter-narrative, adding depth and complexity to the story. She enters with a sense of weariness, acknowledging her own emotional baggage and internal chaos. She points out that they are both technically free to love other people, yet they remain entangled. Her lyrics express a struggle with the past and an inability to move forward, lamenting that "time don't wait for nobody." She feels the pull of their connection but also recognizes its danger, feeling she can't get too close yet is unable to let go entirely. Her pre-chorus is a mirror image of Post Malone's; while he promises to let her down, she confirms that she fully expects it. She won't fight it because she, too, has become lost in the blinding light of their shared illusion. Her perspective reveals that the blindness is mutual, a shared coping mechanism for a love they know is doomed but can't seem to escape.

The bridge serves as a final, desperate plea for clarity. Post Malone tries to break through the denial one last time, telling her that today is not her day, that she should walk away for her own good. But he resigns himself to the fact that she won't listen. The song concludes with the recurring, haunting image of them both staring at the sun, trapped in a cycle of self-deception and mutually assured emotional destruction. They are caught in a beautiful, painful glow, unable to see the damage it's inflicting until it's too late.

"Staring at the Sun" was released on September 6, 2019, as a track on Post Malone's third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding. The song was a notable collaboration between Post Malone and R&B artist SZA. Interestingly, it was a late addition to the album. Post Malone explained in an interview on Kerwin Frost Talks that he thought SZA would sound "awesome" on the track and reached out to her. SZA was enthusiastic about the collaboration and agreed to be part of it.

The track was written by a team of songwriters including Austin Post (Post Malone), Solána Rowe (SZA), Louis Bell, Adam Feeney (Frank Dukes), Billy Walsh, Matthew Tavares, and Seth Nyquist (MorMor). The production was handled by Louis Bell, Frank Dukes, and Matt Tavares. While this was their first direct collaboration as the two main featured artists, Post Malone and SZA had previously appeared together on the remix of Lorde's song "Homemade Dynamite" in 2017, alongside Khalid.

"Staring at the Sun" employs a relatively straightforward and effective rhyme scheme within its verse-chorus structure that enhances its pop accessibility. The rhymes are often simple and direct, emphasizing the candid nature of the lyrics. For instance, in the pre-chorus, Post Malone rhymes "down" with "around" (implied) and "fight" with "light," creating a clean AABB-like pattern that makes the warning feel stark and memorable. The chorus uses rhymes like "see" and "be," and the more impactful internal rhyme in "Blinded by the thought of us."

The rhythm of the song is built around a mid-tempo beat, with a reported tempo of approximately 95 BPM. This steady, pulsing rhythm creates a hypnotic feel, mirroring the entranced, repetitive state of the couple in the song. The vocal delivery of both Post Malone and SZA often follows a conversational, syncopated flow that plays against the steady musical backdrop. This interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the underlying beat adds to the song's pop-R&B feel, making the heavy lyrical content digestible and engaging.

Musically, "Staring at the Sun" is a synth-pop song that blends elements of hip-hop and R&B. The production, handled by Louis Bell, Frank Dukes, and Matt Tavares, features prominent synthesizers that create a simultaneously bright and melancholic atmosphere. The instrumentation, including programming by the producers, provides a polished, pop-oriented backdrop for the emotional vocals. The song is composed in the key of D Major.

Lyrically, the song is structured as a conversational duet, with Post Malone and SZA trading verses that present two sides of the same toxic relationship. This narrative technique provides a balanced, dual perspective on their shared denial and pain. Post Malone's vocal delivery is melodic and tinged with his characteristic blend of singing and rapping, conveying a sense of resigned honesty. SZA's contribution offers a smooth, emotive R&B counterpoint, enriching the song's emotional texture.

The primary literary device is the extended metaphor of staring at the sun, which is woven throughout the chorus and lyrics to represent willful ignorance in a failing relationship. The lyrics also employ direct address and a confessional tone, as seen in lines like, "Give me a chance, I will fuck up again, I warned you in advance," which creates a sense of raw intimacy and vulnerability.

"Staring at the Sun" was a track on Post Malone's highly successful third album, Hollywood's Bleeding, which debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart in 2019. While not released as a standalone single with a major promotional push, the song gained significant attention as a fan favorite due to its relatable theme of toxic relationships and the popular collaboration with SZA. The song charted in multiple countries as an album track, reflecting the immense popularity of the project as a whole.

Critically and publicly, the collaboration was well-received, with many listeners praising the vocal chemistry between Post Malone and SZA and the song's catchy, synth-pop production. The metaphor of "staring at the sun" to describe being blinded by a flawed love resonated with many, adding to a long tradition of artists like U2 and The Offspring using similar imagery. Within Post Malone's discography, the song is often highlighted as a standout track on Hollywood's Bleeding, showcasing his ability to blend pop sensibilities with introspective and melancholic lyrical themes.

The song's primary and most powerful metaphor is encapsulated in its title, "Staring at the Sun." This act symbolizes a willful blindness to the harsh and damaging truths of a relationship. Just as staring at the sun is physically harmful and leads to an inability to see clearly, the couple in the song is so fixated on the beautiful, idealized potential of their love (the "thought of us") that they are blinded to its toxic reality and the emotional damage it's causing.

Another key metaphor used by Post Malone is being a "flame." He warns his partner, "You're too close to the flame," which represents his own destructive nature and flaws. It's a classic Icarus-like warning, suggesting that getting too close to him will inevitably lead to getting burned. This imagery reinforces his self-awareness of his role in the relationship's dysfunction.

Finally, the concept of being "lost in the light" is repeated by both artists. This extends the sun metaphor, suggesting that the very brightness and allure of their idealized love is what causes them to lose their way and their sense of self. It's not just that they can't see; it's that they are actively disoriented and trapped by the illusion they've created together.

The most significant recurring phrase in the song is the title itself, "staring at the sun." This phrase appears repeatedly in the chorus and at the end of the bridge, acting as the central hook and thematic anchor. Its repetition drills home the core metaphor of willful blindness and self-destruction in the relationship. Each time it's sung, it reinforces the idea that despite all the warnings and self-awareness, the characters are stuck in a loop, unable to look away from the source of their pain.

Another key recurring phrase is "I'll let you down." Post Malone sings, "But girl what I can promise is I'll let you down," and SZA echoes this sentiment with, "'Cause I can count on you to let me down." This mirrored phrase is crucial because it establishes the mutual understanding and acceptance of their inevitable failure. Its repetition from both perspectives highlights the hopeless, cyclical nature of their dynamic; disappointment is not a possibility but a guarantee that they both acknowledge.

The warning, "Give me a chance, I will / Fuck up again, I warned / You in advance," is another vital recurring line in the chorus. It underscores Post Malone's self-awareness and the futility of trying to fix things, making the partner's persistence in "staring at the sun" seem all the more tragic.