Take What You Want (feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott)

"Take What You Want" is a powerful and emotional track that explores the pain and frustration of being in a one-sided, toxic relationship. The lyrics depict a narrative of heartbreak and betrayal, where one person gives their all while the other only takes, leaving the giver emotionally drained and broken. The song's central theme revolves around the feeling of being used and unappreciated by a lover who is emotionally cold and deceitful. The repeated phrase, "Take what you want from me, take what you need from me," serves as a cry of both resignation and bitter defiance, highlighting the narrator's exhaustion with the parasitic nature of the relationship. The song captures the internal conflict of being deeply attached to someone who is causing immense pain, a classic case of loving an abusive partner.

The song opens with a raw, aching admission of witnessing a loved one's emotional decay. The narrator feels them 'crumble' in his arms, their heart turning to an unfeeling 'stone'. This person has emotionally drained him, taking everything without ever showing vulnerability or shedding a tear. The chorus becomes a desperate, almost sarcastic plea: take what you want, take what you need, and just leave. It's a cry of resignation from someone who feels utterly used and depleted.

The first verse delves into the history of this destructive relationship. The narrator insists he never demanded anything from his partner except for the simple truth. However, he was met with deceit, personified by a 'forked tongue,' a classic symbol of lies. Her words were like 'venom,' so potent that he nearly fell for the deception completely. He recounts how she preyed on his weaknesses and mistakes, waiting for him to break down. He felt like he was being held underwater, with her hoping he would drown in his own despair. The relationship was a 'plague,' causing him to waste away as he desperately sought an escape. A turning point arrives with a sense of finality. He declares a day has come where he's giving his heart away, suggesting a detachment or a decision to move on. He acknowledges the pain and the potential for his 'bones to break,' but he resolutely states that his soul will never be owned by her.

The chorus repeats, reinforcing the central theme of being emotionally plundered. This time, the plea feels more like a challenge, a painful acknowledgment of the one-sided dynamic. Travis Scott's verse shifts the perspective slightly, introducing a more defiant and hedonistic response to the heartbreak. He mentions taking the 'stones' thrown at him and turning them into 'chains for the crew,' a metaphor for transforming pain into success or status symbols. He boasts of bringing '10 hoes' to a coupe meant for two, a clear act of distraction and emotional detachment. He admits there's nothing left to do but seek more reasons to get through the evening, indulging in substances and fleeting connections. He's been 'sippin' forever' and 'taking whatever,' all while secretly hoping for his former lover's return. The verse ends with a sense of ambiguity, suggesting they go their separate ways, but the longing remains.

The song concludes with the powerful and haunting chorus once more, driven by Ozzy Osbourne's iconic voice. The repetition of 'take what you want' serves as the final, lingering echo of a love that has devolved into a painful and exhausting transaction. The raw emotion in the delivery underscores the deep wounds left by a partner who only takes and never gives back, leaving the narrator hollowed out but finally, perhaps, ready to let go.

"Take What You Want" is a song by American artist Post Malone, featuring legendary Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne and rapper Travis Scott. It was released on September 6, 2019, as part of Post Malone's third studio album, Hollywood's Bleeding. The collaboration came about through the song's producer, Andrew Watt, who was working with Post Malone and knew of his fondness for rock music. Initially, Post Malone was skeptical that a collaboration with Ozzy Osbourne would actually happen. The idea was reportedly sparked by Osbourne's daughter, Kelly, who connected her father with Watt. Osbourne recorded his vocals at Watt's home, and the producer then shared them with Post Malone via FaceTime. The recording process for Ozzy's part was remarkably quick, taking only about 30 minutes. Ozzy was reportedly very pleased with the collaboration, stating it was his favorite work since his time with Black Sabbath. The song also features a guitar solo by Andrew Watt, who was encouraged by Post Malone to add one in the style of classic Ozzy Osbourne tracks. The collaboration was a significant moment for Ozzy Osbourne, as it introduced him to a new generation of music fans and reportedly revitalized his passion for making music, leading to his work on the album Ordinary Man with Watt.

The rhythmic structure of "Take What You Want" is a fusion of different styles, reflecting its genre-bending nature. The song maintains a mid-tempo beat that is characteristic of many trap and hip-hop tracks, providing a modern foundation. Over this, the vocal deliveries of the three artists create a complex rhythmic interplay. Post Malone's verses often feature a melodic flow with a conversational rhythm, while Travis Scott's section incorporates more syncopated and varied rhythmic patterns, typical of his style. Ozzy Osbourne's chorus, in contrast, has a more straightforward and powerful rock-ballad rhythm, emphasizing the emotional weight of the lyrics. The rhyme scheme is generally irregular, leaning towards a free-verse style, which allows for a more narrative and emotionally direct lyrical approach. There are instances of perfect rhymes and internal rhymes that contribute to the song's musicality and memorability. The interplay between the trap-influenced beat and the rock-oriented vocal melodies and guitar solo creates a dynamic and compelling rhythmic experience that is central to the song's unique appeal.

"Take What You Want" is a prime example of genre-blending, seamlessly merging hip-hop, rock, and pop. The song's structure features a unique combination of Post Malone's melodic, emo-rap verses, Travis Scott's autotuned, psychedelic trap-influenced verse, and Ozzy Osbourne's iconic, powerful rock vocals on the chorus. This unlikely trio of artists creates a sound that is both modern and nostalgic. The production, handled by Andrew Watt and Louis Bell, is characterized by a dark and heavy atmosphere that complements the lyrical content. A standout musical element is the powerful guitar solo performed by Andrew Watt, a classic rock feature that pays homage to Ozzy Osbourne's musical legacy. The use of autotune on Post Malone's and Travis Scott's vocals is a prominent stylistic choice of contemporary hip-hop, creating a stark contrast with Osbourne's raw vocal delivery. The song's composition utilizes a build-up of tension with elements like double-kick drums and half-step movements in the chords, creating a sense of dramatic anticipation.

"Take What You Want" was a significant commercial success and had a notable cultural impact. The song debuted at number eight on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking Post Malone's ninth top-ten hit. More remarkably, it was Ozzy Osbourne's first top-ten single in over 30 years, setting a record for the longest gap between top-ten appearances on the chart for an artist. The song's success demonstrated the power of genre-blending and introduced a new generation of listeners to the music of Ozzy Osbourne. The collaboration was widely praised for its seamless fusion of rock and hip-hop. "Take What You Want" was performed live by Post Malone, Ozzy Osbourne, and Travis Scott at the 2019 American Music Awards in a pyro-filled spectacle, which further boosted its popularity. The song was also featured in the trailer for the 2024 remake of the film The Crow. The collaboration was also a catalyst for Ozzy Osbourne, who, inspired by the process, went on to record his album Ordinary Man with the song's producer, Andrew Watt.

The lyrics of "Take What You Want" are rich with symbolism and metaphors that enhance the song's themes of betrayal and emotional pain. One of the most prominent metaphors is the depiction of the toxic lover as a snake, with a "forked tongue," symbolizing deceit and untruthfulness. Her words are described as "venom," emphasizing their poisonous and harmful nature. Another powerful image is the lover's "heart of stone," a metaphor for her emotional coldness and inability to reciprocate love and affection. The act of being "bled dry" is a visceral metaphor for the emotional and perhaps even financial exhaustion the narrator experiences in the relationship. The feeling of being held "under hopin' I would drown" symbolizes the oppressive and suffocating nature of the relationship, where the narrator feels his partner is actively wishing for his demise. The relationship itself is likened to a "plague," illustrating its destructive and consuming effect on the narrator's well-being. These literary devices create a vivid and harrowing picture of a deeply damaging romantic entanglement.

The most significant recurring phrase in "Take What You Want" is the titular line itself: "Take what you want from me, take what you need from me, take what you want and go." This refrain, delivered with raw emotion by Ozzy Osbourne and later by Post Malone, serves as the song's central hook and encapsulates its core theme of being emotionally exploited in a toxic relationship. The repetition of this phrase throughout the song emphasizes the narrator's feelings of powerlessness and frustration. It is both a plea for the torment to end and a sarcastic acknowledgment of the lover's selfish nature. Another recurring motif is the imagery of poison and deceit, particularly in Post Malone's verse with the mention of a "forked tongue" and "venom." This reinforces the idea of a deceptive and harmful partner. The concept of a "heart of stone" also reappears, solidifying the image of an emotionally unavailable and cold-hearted lover. These recurring elements provide a cohesive narrative and emotional anchor for the song.