Dua Lipa: Here are the REAL meanings behind her biggest songs 🎶
She's had LOADS of hits
Since releasing her debut single 'Be the One' back in 2015, Dua Lipa has gone from strength to strength. In 2018, she released the massive hit 'One Kiss' with Calvin Harris, picking up a BRIT Award and paving the way for yet more glorious collaborations, including her 2025 collab with K-pop star Jennie, 'Handlebars', and a new version of 'Physical' with Troye Sivan.
After the success of her third album 'Radical Optimism' and her song for the Barbie film, 'Dance The Night', we take a look at some of Dua's biggest songs and their meanings.
Here we look at Dua Lipa's songs and some of the meanings behind her lyrics...
'Illusion'
Dua dropped 'Illusion' as a single from her third album, 'Radical Optimism', on 12th April 2024. The track peaked at Number 9 in the UK charts and was certified Gold by the BPI in March 2025 with 400,000 UK sales.
She told Variety what the song is about: "Understanding it for what it is and just entertaining it for the hell of it, even though you see what's happening. But I felt in a stronger power of position, because I was like maybe before, I would have fallen for something like this and now I can dance with the illusion, and it's something for me too, you know?"
The lyrics reflect this too - Dua opens the song by singing about mistakes she's made in the past, before singing she's going to remove her 'rose-coloured glasses', then in the chorus singing that she won't be taken for a fool: 'You think I'm gonna fall for an illusion.'
In the second verse, she sings: 'Was a time when that s--- might've worked / Was a time when I just threw a match and let it burn / Now I'm grown, I know what I deserve / I still like dancin' with the lessons I already learned.'
'Training Season'
Released on 15th February 2024, 'Training Season' appears on 'Radical Optimism'. It went to Number 4 in the UK and has since been certified Platinum by the BPI. Containing a sample of 'Tokyo Nights' by Digital Farm Animals, it's proved to be a hugely popular track for Dua, claiming nearly 100 million views on YouTube to date.
Discussing the song's meaning in a press release, Dua said: "I had been on a string of bad dates, and the last one was the final straw. The next morning I arrived to the studio to Caroline and Tobias asking me how it all went and I immediately declared ‘TRAINING SEASON IS OVER,’ and like the best ‘day after’ debriefs with your mates, we had a lot of laughs and it all quickly came together from there.
"And while it is obviously about that feeling when you are just absolutely done telling people... Men specifically in this case, how to date you right; it is also about my training season being over and me growing with every experience.
"I have never felt more confident, clear or empowered. And while it may be that training season is never over for any of us, you start to see the beauty in finding that person to experience it with. You stop looking for the trainees and become more interested in having someone where you are and someone to grow with.”
'Houdini'
Dua released 'Houdini' on 9th November 2023 as the lead single from her third album, 'Radical Optimism'. The song went to Number 2 in the UK and has been certified Platinum by the BPI.
The track, named after renowned escape artist Harry Houdini, sees Dua sing about inviting a potential love interest to show his worth and whether or not he'll be good enough for her, otherwise she'll "go Houdini" - disappear.
We can hear this in the lyrics: 'If you're good enough, you'll find the way / Maybe you could cause a girl to change her ways / Do you think about it night and day? / Maybe you could be the one to make me stay.'
'Dance The Night'
Dua released a song called 'Dance The Night' on Friday 26th May 2023. The song was announced on Monday 22nd May with a teaser video and confirmation features on the Barbie film, which Dua also starred in. The track was certified 2x Platinum in March 2025 with a whopping 1.2 million UK sales, proving its endurance!
Dua told Deadline about how she wrote the song, trying to find a way to balance the happy, joyful, oblivious nature of Barbie at the start of the film with the moment she starts having an existential crisis and questioning her whole life.
She said: "What I like to do best is dance-crying, it’s really my favorite genre ever. The idea of having this juxtaposition of really, really happy moments, but not only are there underlying thoughts of death.
"But at same time, you’re trying to juggle this idea that Barbie is not trying to upset anyone, she’s having these thoughts, she doesn’t know who to go to, she’s trying to smile through the pain; all these things are happening, and it’s all confusing, how do we narrate that?”
We can hear it in the lyrics: 'Even when the tears are flowin’, they’re diamonds on my face / I’ll still keep the party goin’, not one hair out of place.'
'Cold Heart (Pnau remix)'
On 13th August 2021, Dua collaborated with her hero Elton John again on his lead single from his album 'The Lockdown Sessions'. 'Cold Heart' is a a mashup of the Rocket Man’s hit songs, remixed by Sydney trio Pnau and Dua sings on the track.
The song jumped to the top of the charts and reached the Number 1 spot in October, bringing an end to Ed Sheeran's reign. It is first time Sir Elton has had a Number 1 single since he appeared on rapper 2Pac’s posthumous 2005 single Ghetto Gospel.
Elton told Variety of working with Dua in 2022: "I adore her. She is incredibly talented — absolutely brilliant — and so professional. It’s a pleasure to be around someone who is so young, has done so much already and is so humble. She is also great fun, and we get on like a house on fire."
'We're Good'
On 11 February 2021, Lipa released a single titled 'We're Good' to go alongside the reissue of the second album. The song is about an amicable break-up that is normally desired, but that unfortunately most people never get.
In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music, Dua said: "It’s having that amicable breakup that I think everybody kind of wants. It’s like that clean break isn’t lacking, move on. We’re good. You can’t be upset if I move on. I can’t be upset if you move on. You know what I mean?
"And I think a lot of the time, it’s that part of a breakup that ... gets lost in translation. When things are ego-driven, that’s immediately when it’s over, but yeah, just the amicable breakup."
'Prisoner'
2020 saw the ultimate collaboration between Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus, with the release of 'Prisoner' on 19th November. The track was a single off of Miley's feisty album 'Plastic Hearts', and flew to the Top 10 in the UK Charts.
The song is thought to be about feeling emotionally trapped in past and/or present relationships, with the lyrics saying: 'Prisoner, prisoner / Locked up / Can't get you off my mind, off my mind / Lord knows I tried a million times, million times'.
Speaking to Apple Music, Miley explained how the lyrics felt particularly relevant during the pandemic, saying: "I think it's also coming at a perfect time for everybody, I mean, we're just trapped in our emotions right now. I mean, really me, there's no escaping it. It's like, 'Locked up, can't get you off my mind.' Anything that you've tried to suppress or compartmentalise at that point, it's coming up. It's yours to own, to own it or release it."
'Break My Heart'
'Break My Heart', released on 25th March 2020, features a sample from classic 80s tune 'Need You Tonight' by INXS, and is all about how Dua is wondering whether she'll ever experience a relationship that doesn't end in heartbreak.
She said of the song: "This samples INXS's 'Need You Tonight,' and it's a perfect explanation of 'dance crying.' It's about finally being in a happy place and knowing this new person is amazing. But then thinking: 'Nothing else compares to this, and what if this ends and it breaks my heart?'
"It's the whole thing of being scared to be too happy, like when your day is going really well and you think, 'What's the one thing that's going to f--- it up?' I'm a hopeless romantic and always ask myself: 'How am I going to protect this?'
"But it's also a sweet and vulnerable place to be, because you also see how much you care. It helped that the people I wrote this with know my boyfriend, which helped me be really open." It peaked at Number 6 in the UK and has since been certified 2x Platinum.
'Physical'
'Physical', released on 31st January 2020, appears on Dua's second album, 'Future Nostalgia', the theme of which was bringing the sounds of the 80s into 2020 - so it makes sense that this song has 80s vibes!
Dua later acknowledged that the song is a nod to 'Physical' by Olivia Newton-John, and added that it was a "spur-of-the-moment kind of song, which at times had a Eurythmics vibe to it". It peaked at Number 3 in the UK.
'Don't Start Now'
Dua released 'Don't Start Now' - the first song from her second album, 'Future Nostalgia' - on 31st October 2019, and it hit Number 2 in the UK charts. Dua co-wrote the song with Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren and Ian Kirkpatrick.
Dua described writing the song as closing "one chapter of my life and starting another" with a "new sound" - and the lyrics reflect that. The song is all about moving on from a past heartbreak, and asking the former lover to stay away and not scupper the singer from moving on.
The lyrics to the chorus are: 'Don't show up, don't come out / Don't start caring about me now / Walk away, you know how / Don't start caring about me now.'
'Electricity'
Dua teamed up with Silk City (Mark Ronson and Diplo) for 'Electricity', released on 6th September 2018. The song peaked at Number 4 in the UK, winning Best Dance Recording at the 2019 Grammy Awards.
The song documents an 'electric' relationship, where two people feel as though they've found a kindred spirit. It also shows one person taking care of the other, who's maybe been through a past traumatic relationship. The lyrics to the chorus are, 'You give me a feeling, feeling so strong / I know you've been treating, treating yourself wrong / So let me care for you / Ooh, baby I'ma love you differently / I'll give you electricity.'
'One Kiss'
Dua teamed up with Calvin Harris for 'One Kiss', released on 6th April 2018 and their song became incredibly popular staying at the top of the UK chart for eight consecutive weeks - making it the longest-running Number 1 by a lead female artist that decade! The official music video stars Calvin looking very dapper in a suit as he serves Dua a cocktail.
The song was written by both Dua and Calvin, along with another songwriter, Jessie Reyez. As the name and the chorus of the song suggests, it is about how someone can fall in love after just one kiss. The lyrics from the chorus are: 'One kiss is all it takes / Fallin' in love with me / Possibilities / I look like all you need.'
Just a few weeks after the song's release 'One Kiss' became the biggest Number 1 song of 2018. Taking to Twitter to reveal the exciting news, Calvin said, 'One Kiss @DUALIPA is the biggest song in the world rn number 1 global iTunes, Apple Music & Spotify thank you so much !!!!!!' (sic)
Calvin also released some behind-the-scenes footage from the music video, with Calvin explaining how the collaboration came about. He says: "I first met Dua maybe two years ago, I think she had just put out 'Be The One'. Two years later I had this 'kinda' half finished song, and I thought it would be perfect for her." And he wasn't wrong!
'IDGAF'
IDGAF - an abbreviation of 'I Don't Give a F---' - was Dua's seventh single from her debut album, released on 12th January 2018 and reaching Number 3 in the UK.
Speaking about the inspiration for the song, Dua said: "Bits of it are very true. It's about this person that, a long time after you've broken up, comes back to say 'hi' and you think to yourself, 'What gives him the right to call me now and see how I'm doing? Does he not realise the damage he's done?'"
WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS STRONG LANGUAGE
'New Rules'
'New Rules' was Dua Lipa's big breakthrough song - it was her first UK Number 1 and her fifth Top 40 hit. Released on 7th July 2017, the tropical house tune became an anthem of female empowerment for newly-single women. The lyrics to 'New Rules' are the singer's strategy to get over someone.
The chorus lyrics are, 'One, don't pick up the phone / You know he's only calling 'cause he's drunk and alone / Two, don't let him in / You'll have to kick him out again / Three, don't be his friend / You know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning / And if you're under him / You ain't getting over him.'
'Lost in Your Light'
Dua's next single was also a collaboration, this time with singer Miguel. Released on 21st April 2017, the song unfortunately did not break into the Top 40 in the UK - but this could be because it was put out as a freebie to those who pre-ordered her album.
The song is all about an intense connection between two romantic partners, specifically focusing on one perfect night. The chorus lyrics are, 'Lost in your light, baby / I wanna stay right here all night, baby.'
'Scared To Be Lonely'
Dua collaborated with DJ Martin Garrix on this song, released on 27th January 2017 and peaking at Number 14 in the UK. The tone of the song is pretty much summed up in the title, and was considered by Garrix to be a follow-up to his previous song 'In the Name of Love' with Bebe Rexha, giving the same "euphoric feeling" but has "deeper lyrics", something he said was important.
The chorus lyrics are, 'Is it just our bodies? Are we both losing our minds? / Is the only reason you're holding me tonight / 'Cause we're scared to be lonely? / Do we need somebody just to feel like we're alright? / Is the only reason you're holding me tonight / 'Cause we're scared to be lonely?'
'Blow Your Mind (Mwah)'
'Blow Your Mind (Mwah)' showed a more sassy side to Dua when she released this song on 26th August 2016, later appearing on her debut album in 2017 and peaking at 30 in the UK. The song lyrics are about a passionate relationship in which the two people are possibly not totally right for each other, but they're too attracted to each other to stay away.
The lyrics to the chorus are, 'If you don't like the way I talk, then why am I on your mind? / If you don't like the way I rock, then finish your glass of wine / We fight and we argue, you'll still love me blind / If we don't this whole thing up / Guaranteed, I can blow your mind / Mwah!'
'Hotter Than Hell'
Dua wrote the song after a nasty break-up, telling Digital Spy: "I was in a relationship that really f-----d me over. In the song, I twisted it so that I was in the better position and I was the one going 'f--- you'. That really helped me get over it. It was very therapeutic for me."
Released on 6th May 2016, it peaked at Number 15 in the UK and appeared on Dua's self-titled debut album.
'Be The One'
'Be the One' was originally released on 30th October 2015, but also served as Dua's lead single from her self-titled debut album 'Dua Lipa' in October 2017. It reached Number 9 in the UK and has been certified 3x Platinum, selling over 1.8 million copies.
In an interview with Nylon magazine, Dua revealed that the song is about "believing in oneself, having perseverance and fighting for the things that you want in life". In the lyrics, she sings about fighting for a romantic relationship in which the other person has their guard up, and she wants to break down their walls.
The lyrics to the chorus are, 'Oh, baby come on, let me get to know you / Just another chance so that I can show / That I won't let you down, oh no / 'Cause I could be the one.'
What was Dua Lipa's first song?
Dua Lipa's first single release was 'New Love', released on 21st August 2015, and later appeared on the deluxe version of her self-titled debut album. Co-written by Dua and the album's producers, Emile Haynie and Andrew Wyatt, about how she was struggling to find her place in the music industry that "often seems to neither want nor need you".
The lyrics of the song reflect this, and the bridge lyrics are: 'I don't wanna waste no time all alone / Want somewhere to go, something to call my own / And I ain't satisfied / Where to go? / Lost out on the road, washed up on the shore.'
Don't forget you can hear many of Dua Lipa's songs on Cool FM!
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