Imagine having the audacity to play a game of cat-and-mouse with *the* Dua Lipa... because that's exactly what her highly-anticipated new track, "Houdini," is all about. This marks Dua's first single since Barbie's disco-infused "Dance the Night" with Mark Ronson, and of course, she's kicking off her new era on a strong note. With new fiery red locks and lyrics to match, the Grammy winner teamed up with Tame Impala's Kevin Parker, Caroline Ailin, Danny L. Harle, and Tobias Jesso Jr., to write and produce the first single from her upcoming third album.

The synth-heavy nu-Disco song "embodies that 4 a.m. feeling when the night is coming to a close and you're a bit sweaty, but you just don't want the party to end," Dua said in a statement. "This track represents the most light and freeing parts of my singledom. 'Houdini' is very tongue in cheek, exploring the idea of whether someone is really worth my while or if I'll ghost them in the end. You never know where something may take you, that's the beauty of being open to whatever life throws your way. I'm looking forward to sharing that feeling of defiant bliss with my fans," she continued.

If you're anything like ~moi~, you're dancing around your living room with "Houdini" on repeat, and if you've ever been part of The Chase™️ in a budding relationship, then you're already relating to the nature of her cool-girl ghosting tendencies in the lyrics. Ahead, find a full breakdown of Dua Lipa's "Houdini" and the meaning behind the track's lyrics.

Lyrics provided by Genius

[Intro]
Okay
(Mmm)

[Chorus]
I come and I go
Tell me all the ways you need me
I'm not here for long
Catch me or I go Houdini
I come and I go
Prove you got the right to please me
Everybody knows
Catch me or I go Houdini

We *love* a song that starts out with its infectious hook. The chorus delves into Dua's tendency to not wait around for anyone (because hello... she's Dua Lipa). If you can't catch her, she's gone. She likens this sensation to the famous illusionist, Harry Houdini, throughout the track.



[Verse 1]
Time is passin' like a solar eclipse
See you watchin' and you blow me a kiss
It's your moment, baby, don't let it slip
Come in closer, are you readin' my lips?

This back-and-forth flirtation that Dua is engaging in seems to go by in the blink of an eye, as the shadow of a solar eclipse moves at 2288 miles per hour, according to the Rice Space Institute. She makes it clear that the ball is in her subject's court, but they aren't catching the hint that she won't stick around for long.

[Chorus]

[Post-Chorus]
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

The post-chorus asks her potential partner all the right questions: is she constantly on their mind, can they pick up on what she's looking for without any explanation? If so, they're winning big.

[Verse 2]
Everything you say is soundin' so sweet (Ah-ah)
But do you practice everythin' that you preach? (Ah-ah)
I need something that'll make me believe (Ah-ah)
If you got it, baby, give it to me

Dua is still on the fence in the song's second verse—it seems like everything her counterpart is doing is too good to be true, so it makes sense that she's skeptical about their intentions.

[Chorus]

[Post-Chorus]

[Bridge]
Oh-oh
Ooh

[Chorus]

[Outro]
Houdini
Catch me or I go Houdini