Cobra — LISA: what the lyrics really mean
First verse: the song, every line and what it means — in syncIn a matte black truck and I’m speedin’ I'm ODIn a matte black truck, speeding, going way overboardListen to this line with the translationNo sign-upWhat the song is about
LISA’s “Cobra” is a late-night party song about a woman cutting loose with her girls and refusing to apologize for how she enjoys herself. She slips out after midnight in a fast truck, shrugs off anyone who judges her drinks or her dress, and warns the crowd to give her space. A tequila-and-soda buzz sets her hips moving like the snake of the title, and the chanted dance-floor commands keep the energy rising to the end.
Key lines
4 lines from the song with the slang, wordplay and references behind them. The full line-by-line breakdown lives in the app.
In a matte black truck and I’m speedin’ I'm ODListen from this lineMeaning: In a matte black truck, speeding, going way overboard
Words in this line- ODoverdose
What's behind the line: 'Matte black' is a flat, non-shiny black finish. 'OD' is short for overdose; in slang it means doing too much, going over the top.
See this dress on my bodyListen from this lineWords in this line- Seelook at
What's behind the line: Read literally, see means notice with your eyes and on my body sounds oddly clinical. Together the line is an invitation: look at how good this dress looks on me. It is a confident show-off remark about outfit and figure.
Like ooh these hips don’t lieListen to the first verse — freeWhat's behind the line: On its own, hips don't lie seems strange, since hips cannot speak. It is a nod to Shakira's 2006 song Hips Don't Lie, meaning body movement reveals the truth. Ooh is just a playful sound.
You know that the party don’t start till we roll upListen to the first verse — freeWords in this line- don’tdoesn't
- tilluntil
What's behind the line: On its own "roll" means to turn over or move on wheels, and "up" means upward, but "roll up" together means to arrive somewhere, often in style. The line is a boast that the fun only begins once the singers show up. "Don't" instead of "doesn't" is casual, street-style speech.
Lyrics © their rights holders. “Cobra” — LISA. Quoted for commentary and learning.
Mini-lesson: fill in the missing word
A line from the song with one word missing: listen, then pick the right word. Sori checks your answer and saves the new words to your notebook.
Try the lessonAsk Sori about this song
Why this word and not another? What does that slang mean? Ask in your own words and your idol answers about this exact line.
Ask SoriSong vocabulary
Words from the song in alphabetical order, with what they mean here.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| baddies | hot girls |
| bout | about |
| cause | because |
| drop | fall down |
| fast | quick |
| feel | sense |
| freak | wild side |
| mad | crazy |
| slow | not fast |
| sweat | body moisture |
| tempo | speed of the beat |
Keep these 11 words
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Questions about “Cobra”
What is “Cobra” by LISA about?
LISA’s “Cobra” is a late-night party song about a woman cutting loose with her girls and refusing to apologize for how she enjoys herself.
What does “In a matte black truck and I’m speedin’ I'm OD” mean in “Cobra”?
In a matte black truck, speeding, going way overboard. 'Matte black' is a flat, non-shiny black finish.
What does “Like ooh these hips don’t lie” mean in “Cobra”?
On its own, hips don't lie seems strange, since hips cannot speak.
Where can I see every line of “Cobra” explained?
This page explains 4 key lines. In the theIDOL app Sori goes through all 118 lines word by word, in sync with the song; the first verse is free and needs no sign-up.
Official music video
The video loads from YouTube only when you press play. YouTube ↗
Credits and sources
- Artist
- LISA
- Official video
- LLOUD Official · YouTube
Lyrics and music belong to their rights holders. This page quotes no more than four lines for commentary; the translations, pronunciation and explanations are written by theIDOL.