Cobra
My Morning Jacket Lyrics

Cobra comes up next to me
The singer feels like he is being approached by danger or fear.

Anywhere he goes, he's silently
The singer feels that his fear or danger is always present.

How do you take speaking so much?
The singer wonders how others can put up with excessive talking.

How do you live without a lover's touch?
The singer wonders how one can survive without intimacy.

Dale always says it's easy
The singer thinks Dale is being dismissive of his feelings.

I'm hooked on four like one, two, three
The singer is addicted to something he can count as easy as one, two, three.

I got them moves, declared to me
The singer is confident in his abilities.

You need to listen cuz I guarantee you're for sure
The singer is trying to convince others to listen to him because he knows what he's talking about.

Now I know I've been movin' too much
The singer realizes that he's been rushing around too much.

I'm gonna live for my hottie's touch
The singer is going to focus on intimacy with his partner.

Covered in charcoal, head to toe
The singer is covered in charcoal from head to toe.

Sticky, stick charcoal, I want you to know
The singer is describing the texture of the charcoal.

How I long till I get these off
The singer wants to remove the charcoal from his body.

They're so convenient but at such a cost
The singer acknowledges that the convenience of the charcoal is also a burden.

King I go out to plead
The singer feels like he's begging for something.

Sticky, sticky warmth, come and rush to me
The singer wants comfort in the form of warmth.

I want to know, I want to see
The singer is seeking knowledge and understanding.

There's life for me
The singer is optimistic about the future.

I know somebody, yes, I know someone
The singer is talking about an acquaintance.

Who loves to wait, loves to wait for the policeman to come.
The singer is implying that the acquaintance is waiting for something bad to happen.

And I'm aware of the thought they call ringing the bell
The singer knows that this acquaintance is looking for trouble.

Four on the floor and four in the air
The singer is describing a dance move or a state of excitement.

I'm drinkin' cold, cold lightning with the bugs in my hair
The singer is describing a surreal, possibly drug-induced experience.

I knew a partner, yes, I knew his house
The singer is reminiscing about a past relationship or experience.

Why do my toes always feel so cold?
The singer is wondering why his toes are cold all the time.

How come? How come? How come?
The singer is repeating his question for emphasis.

Why's all the soap always burn like a rope?
The singer is wondering why soap stings his skin like a rope.

When I see your reflection, it always frightens me
The singer is frightened by someone's reflection.

So strong that I can hardly speak.
The singer's fear leaves him speechless.

Mixed up potion, the summer's ocean
The singer is using metaphorical language to describe a confusing situation.

I feel I'm swimming in tannin lotion
The singer is still using metaphorical language to describe a certain feeling.

Too many car chairs, and not enough leads
The singer feels like he has too much responsibility and not enough freedom.

Thank you for all the sleep
The singer is grateful for rest or relief from his troubles.

So I know the spark's aside
The singer is trying to put a problem or conflict behind him.

Stuff that keeps me clean
The singer is referring to his hygiene.

Stuff that helps me breathe
The singer is talking about breathing aids or treatments.

The lamps, the lights, the kerosene
The singer is listing elements that illuminate darkness or provide warmth.

Beautiful, two gardenias spring
The singer finds beauty in the natural world.