RZA produced this specific song through sampling, chopping up the sample then adjusting the audio through a sampler called the E-mu Systems SP-1200. This sampler would be controlled through a midi device operated by rza, the midi on the piano would pitch-shift the closest filled sample slot to match the requested pitch this would give RZA a lot of opportunity for precision having every key on the midi playing a different pitch. The sample was from Ann Peebles who was a 60 is/70s Memphis soul singer/ songwriter, this genre of music especially around this time is no stranger to RZA’s music if anything we see it persistently and this is partly to do with multiple reasons one being texture; the texture of the song although sounding harmonic and lush carries a gritty element due to the time in which the song was recorded this crossover with the rap music and the context is perfect it is emphasizing what they are saying; they are talking about struggle and emotional problems, rza is trying to make it as real possible.
The overall structure of the song is very simple but truthfully it’s minimalistic qualities are what make it so impactful, with a regular 4\4 beat and constant yet cleverly processed hi-hats. Liquid swords starts with a sample from the shogun assassin and it creates a dark, spooky and ominous setting that then fades into a monologue from rza setting the tone then a chorus from both rza and gza. Having both of them sing this especially as this is the first track on the album gives an immediate understanding of what we are listening to and is a perfect opening, this is then followed by an intimate cut throat verse from rza with clever lyrics. For example “I flow like the blood on a murder scene Like a syringe, on some wild out shit to insert a fiend” these lyrics are enhancing this theme of struggle and roughness referencing murder scenes and syringes, things we associate with a run down city.