Dua Lipa Declares an End to “Training Season” (And Bad Dates!) on Her Latest Single

Dua Lipa gave us a little taste of her upcoming era with a high-energy performance of “Houdini” and her new track, “Training Season,” at the Grammys. Now, we get to listen to the Kevin Parker-produced song in all its funk-flared pop glory.

The Grammy-winner initially teased her single on January 22, when she posted a selfie in a “Training Season” sweater during rehearsals for the coveted awards show. According to Genius, Dua also shared a snippet of the track for her text subscribers on January 24.

“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 [Ailin] and Tobias [Jesso Jr.] 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,” Dua said of her latest single in a statement.

She added, “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.”

That being said, let’s dive into these lyrics now that training season—and the wait for Dua’s latest infectious song—are over.

Lyrics provided by Genius.

[Verse 1]

Are you

Someone that I can give my heart to?

Or just the poison that I’m drawn to?

It can be hard to tell the difference late at night

Play fair

Is that a compass in your nature?

Or are you tricky ’cause I’ve been there?

And, baby, I don’t need to learn my lesson twice

In the first verse, Dua steps back and thinks about her romantic prospect with skepticism. She realizes that they might not be the best match for her, and decides that she probably shouldn’t move forward with the connection (For what it’s worth: I, too, have been there).

The Chorus dives into what Dua craves in a relationship as she essentially points out all her boxes. Does this mystery lover check any of them?

Dua is sick! And! Tired! Of the seemingly lifelong search for a love that’s worth it—especially since she feels like she has to whip her partner into shape as the person she deserves.

[Bridge]

Can you compete? Now is your time

Run when you hear that whistle blow

Are you on my team or stuck on the sidelines

Waiting for someone to tell you to go?

For someone to tell you to go

The bridge questions her potential match: are they in or out? Will they take charge, or does she have to tell them it’s time to make a move?

[Pre-Chorus]