“Born Again” by LISA, featuring Doja Cat and Raye, is a song about female empowerment and moving on from a relationship. The lyrics explore themes of heartbreak, self-assuredness, and recognizing a former partner’s missed opportunities. Musically, the song combines disco and electro-pop elements with a funky bassline.
The lyrics cleverly use religious allegory, like being “born again,” to represent personal transformation after a breakup. The music video pays tribute to influential women throughout history, reinforcing the song’s message of strength and independence. The artists taunt an ex who missed out on being with them, suggesting they missed out on something divine.
In this article, we’ll explore the message conveyed in the song’s lyrics.
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“Born Again” Lyrics Meaning
[Intro: LISA & RAYE]
(Ooh) If you tried just a little more times
I would’ve made you a believer
Would’ve showed you what it’s like (I would’ve showed you)
Every single night (Night)
The song begins with a reflective tone, suggesting that if the ex-partner had tried a little harder, they could have been convinced of the singer’s value and experienced something special every night. This sets the stage for a narrative of missed opportunities and personal growth.
[Verse 1: LISA & RAYE]
In the car, top down, black shades on, uh (Lookin’ so good, can I add?)
And I just broke up with my man, like mm (A very, very silly, silly man)
One ex in the passenger seat ’cause I’m done (Done, yeah, never, ever goin’ back)
Down, down, rude boy, get your foot up on my dash
Got all the receipts, I’m a businesswoman
Littlе bit of heartbreak
A little bit of “How could you do that?”
A littlе bit of talkin’ out your ass
A little bit of “Look at what you had but could not hold”
And that’s on you, baby, too bad
I’m about to make it heard as I vroom-vroom
Ice-cold how I leave you ’lone, but please
Tell your mother I’ma miss her so
This verse describes a scene of liberation after a breakup. The imagery of driving with the top down and wearing black shades conveys confidence and independence. The line “One ex in the passenger seat ’cause I’m done” emphasizes that the relationship is over, and there’s no going back. The mention of “receipts” symbolizes keeping track of past wrongs, positioning the singer as a strong, businesslike figure. The emotional aftermath is acknowledged but quickly overshadowed by a sense of empowerment.
[Chorus: RAYE & LISA]
If you tried just a little more times
I would’ve made you a believer
Would’ve showed you what it’s like (Like)
Every single night
To be born again, baby, to be born again
If you stayed just another few nights
I could’ve made you pray to Jesus
Would’ve showed you to the light (To the light)
Every single night (Every night)
To be born again, baby, to be born again
The chorus reinforces the idea that with a bit more effort, the ex could have been transformed (“born again”) and experienced something profound every night. The religious imagery (“pray to Jesus”) adds depth to the metaphor of transformation and enlightenment. This chorus is about what could have been if the relationship had been nurtured.
[Verse 2: Doja Cat]
Non-believer
You’ve bitten from the fruit
but can’t give back
Nice to leave ya
But I would be a fool not to ask
Do your words seem gospel to ya now? (Your words seem gospel to you now?)
Keepin’ me strong
Choosin’ to carry on after one
Too many lies would be wrong, so wrong
Said, he popped tags on my shoppin’ spree
Stayed mad when I showed him all the long receipts
They laugh, but you crashed out like a comedy
I can’t be your sugar mom, get a job for me, shit
(Ah, so) Boy, let go
Or let me live happily forever after more
I hope you learned somethin’ from a lil’ fiasco
You played the game smart lettin’ lil’ me pass go ’cause
Doja Cat’s verse focuses on the theme of being taken advantage of without reciprocation. The line “You’ve bitten from the fruit but can’t give back” suggests exploitation. The verse also touches on financial dependency (“popped tags on my shopping spree”) and the frustration of being expected to support someone financially (“can’t be your sugar mom”). The tone is assertive and independent, with a message of moving on from toxic relationships.
[Chorus: LISA & RAYE]
If you tried just a little more times
I would’ve made you a believer
Would’ve showed you what it’s like (Like)
Every single night (Night)
To be born again, baby, to be born again
If you stayed just another few nights
I could’ve made you pray to Jesus
Would’ve showed you to the light (To the light)
Every single night (Every night)
To be born again, baby, to be born again
This repetition of the chorus emphasizes the missed opportunity for transformation and growth in the relationship. It underscores the theme of personal rebirth and empowerment.
[Bridge: RAYE]
Seasoned like the cinnamon the way I’m gettin’ rid of him
I’m only gonna make you need religion at the minimum
And I’ma do it diligent, I’m lookin’ for a synonym
I’m tryna find the words to tell him I ain’t even feelin’ him (I pray)
Don’t ever let me be deficient in
Wish that you could wake up and then take me like a vitamin
I learned the hard way to let go now to save my soul (Oh)
The bridge is about moving on and letting go. Raye uses metaphors like being “seasoned like cinnamon” to describe her newfound strength and independence. She seeks to minimize emotional dependence on her ex and is focused on self-preservation (“save my soul”).
[Chorus: RAYE & LISA, LISA, RAYE]
If you tried just a little more times
I would’ve made you a believer
Would’ve showed you what it’s like (Like)
Every single night
To be born again, baby, to be born again
If you stayed just another few nights
I could’ve made you pray to Jesus
Would’ve showed you to the light (To the light)
Every single night (Every night)
To be born again, baby, to be born again
The final chorus reinforces the themes of transformation and empowerment, emphasizing the idea of being “born again” as a metaphor for personal growth and liberation.
[Outro: LISA, LISA & RAYE]
Baby, to be born, oh, baby, baby, to be born again
To be born again, baby, to be born again
Baby, to be born, oh, baby, baby, to be born again (Yeah)
To be born again, baby, to be born again
The outro continues the theme of rebirth, with a repetitive and emotive call to be “born again,” symbolizing a complete transformation and embracing a new life free from past relationships.
Deeper Meaning Behind “Born Again”
“Born Again” by Lisa, featuring Doja Cat and Raye, delves into themes of liberation, self-empowerment, and transformation following a breakup. The song’s title and lyrics cleverly weave religious imagery with romantic disappointment, suggesting that the ex-partner missed out on a profound experience that could have led to personal growth and spiritual awakening. The chorus, where Lisa and Raye harmonize, emphasizes this missed opportunity, with lines like “If you tried just a little more times / I would’ve made you a believer” highlighting the transformative potential of their connection.
The song’s narrative is not about mourning the past but rather celebrating a new beginning. Lisa’s verse paints a picture of post-breakup liberation, with imagery of speeding away from a failed relationship, symbolizing a confident move forward. Doja Cat’s verse adds another layer by referencing the biblical story of Adam and Eve, implying that the partner gained experience but failed to reciprocate, while also highlighting resilience and moving on. Raye’s bridge uses metaphors of cooking and religion to express the ease of moving on and the importance of self-preservation.
The music video for “Born Again” serves as a visual companion to the song’s empowering message, featuring the artists styled as deities and paying homage to influential women throughout history. This visual tribute emphasizes the themes of strength and independence central to the track. Overall, “Born Again” is a testament to the power of collaboration and a celebration of female artistry, making it a standout track on Lisa’s solo album Alter Ego. The song’s deeper meaning lies in its portrayal of heartbreak as a catalyst for self-discovery and rebirth, where the artists emerge stronger and more empowered than before.
Jacob Carter is a lyricist. He created the lyrics writing course to teach people how to analyze and write lyrics. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in English Literature, so he’s skilled at playing with words.
He’s also an amateur guitarist, which means he knows music and melody very well. With this background, he’s a great lyricist you can rely on to learn writing lyrics.