Cobrah's single, "IDFKA," an acronym for "I don't fucking know anymore," culls those initial inspirations and channels them into a song that feels like a rallying cry against increasingly troubled times. On one hand, the song's lyrics and Cobrah's intentionally deadpan delivery address defeat, but the sinuous production itself is motivating -- from the dancefloor (or dungeon, if that's what you're into) to the streets. Considering the latter point, "IDFKA" transforms into a call from apathy to action. Its video, a trippy 3D animation co-directed with artist Erik Hellmouth sees Cobrah as a sexual cyborg of sorts making her way through what looks like a bloodstream.
Icon
Cobrah Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I-I-Icon (Icon)
I-I-I-I-I-Icon
Bathe me in trophies
Love me like holy
Fill you up slowly
Take it in, glory
Drive Lamborghini
Naked in magazines
Die young with James Dean
I-I-I-Icon
I-I-Icon (Unh)
Bathe me in trophies
Love me like holy
Fill you up slowly
Take it in, glory
Shaped by Bernini
Drive Lamborghini
Naked in magazines
Die young with James Dean
I-I-Icon
Icon
I-I-I-Icon
Icon
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-Icon
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-Icon
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-Icon
I-I-I-I-I-I-I-Icon
The song "Icon" by Cobrah portrays the desire for fame and recognition in a society where material wealth and superficial success are worshipped. The repeated chanting of "I-I-I-Icon" suggests an urgent need to be acknowledged as an icon, to be worshipped and admired like a deity. The lyrics "Bathe me in trophies, love me like holy, fill you up slowly, take it in, glory" describes the craving to be showered with awards and accolades, to be revered like a holy figure, to slowly fill up the emptiness inside with the feelings of grandeur and glory. The lines "Shaped by Bernini, drive Lamborghini, naked in magazines, die young with James Dean" evoke the hedonistic lifestyle that is often associated with fame and success, how people are willing to do anything to be noticed, admired, singular and exceptional.
However, the chorus of "Icon" is tinged with a sense of unease and instability. The repeated chanting of the word "Icon" starts to sound like a desperate act, as if the only way to be seen as valuable is to become an artificial product. In this desire for fame and glory, Cobrah notes that the line between being celebrated and being destroyed is a thin one. The lines "Die young with James Dean/Icon" remind us that the pedestal that fame places its subjects on can also bring a downfall that is as swift as death. The lyrics to “Icon” portray the superficiality of a society that values fame over dignity, success over grace, and often leaves its subjects untethered and longing for something they can’t quite name.
Line by Line Meaning
I-I-I-Icon
The singer is presenting themselves as an icon, someone larger than life.
Bathe me in trophies
The singer wants to surround themselves with symbols of success and recognition.
Love me like holy
The singer wants the adoration they receive to reach almost religious levels.
Fill you up slowly
The artist wants to give their fans a steady stream of content, building up anticipation and excitement.
Take it in, glory
The artist wants their fans to bask in the reflected glory of their success.
Shaped by Bernini
The singer is referencing Bernini, a highly esteemed sculptor from the Baroque period, to convey their own sense of artistry and skill.
Drive Lamborghini
The singer wants to show off their wealth and extravagance by driving an expensive, flashy sports car.
Naked in magazines
The artist is willing to push boundaries and be vulnerable in order to gain more attention and exposure.
Die young with James Dean
The artist sees themselves as following in the footsteps of James Dean, a cultural icon who died young and left a lasting impact on popular culture.
Icon
The artist is repeating their earlier claim of being an icon.
Writer(s): Gusten Dahlqvist, Hannes Roovers, Clara Blom Christensen
Contributed by Anna V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.