Skull And Bones – English Lyrics

• By: Doja Cat
• Album: Scarlet 2 CLAUDE

Lyrics & Translation

Explore Doja Cat's bold response to controversy in "Skull and Bones." This track dives deep into themes of resilience and authenticity, offering a glimpse into the artist's world and her unique perspective on fame and criticism. Discover how Doja Cat uses her music to challenge perceptions and express her true self.

[English]

It's cold, I mean really cold

But my blood is warm (my blood is warm)

What's inside of me but skull and bones?

Ask the Lord

There's a price for yours (price for yours)

What's inside of me now but my soul?

...

Yeah, said the only thing I sold was a record

The only thing I folded under was pressure

Can I say I digress? You the aggressor

Now y'all say y'all impressed, I'm the successor (ooh)

I don't need no intervention or one ya lectures

What's so hard to believe, what is the message?

Talented and I'm driven like you ain't ever seen

And that's why God blessed me, you should respect Him

You need to mind your business, Helga Pataki

'Cause I'ma do something devilish if you at me

I might hit Woo for the kudu and get a back piece

You too high off that booboo to unpack me (ah)

When I arrive on the set, there ain't no holy water

But when I grind my set, make sure to throw me waters

I'ma make it through 27, y'all superstitious

I'ma say, "Jinx" on my 28th when you owe me sodas

It's cold, I mean really cold

But my blood is warm (blood is warm)

What's inside of me but skull and bones?

Ask the Lord (ask the Lord)

There's a price for yours ('cause there's a price for yours, uh-huh)

What's inside of me now but my soul?

...

Yeah, yeah, y'all been pushin' Satan this and Satan that

My fans is yellin', "'Least she rich," you need that pact

Lookin' like I got some things you hate I have

And trust me, baby, God, don't play with hate like that

So you gon' be real upset when he pick Cat

To be the one up on them charts all over the map

And you could keep on tellin' yourself it's all in my tats

And you could keep on addin' the numbers and doin' the math

I see y'all prepping for doomsday, but that ain't San Andreas fault

And this ain't a movie

But I know y'all been livin' life like this is a school play

How red is them rubies?

You chokin', it's too late, I turn 'em to blue face

I run on a full tank, can't nobody move me

Bitches cryin' with full face, that's animal cruelty

And I don't need to say it to 'em

I'ma let the paper talk, gotta elevate the bar

The world's losin' faith 'cause it's cold

It's cold (yeah), I mean really cold (I mean)

But my blood is warm (but my-, come on, come on, let's go)

What's inside of me but skull and bones? (Let's go, yeah)

Ask the Lord (ask the Lord)

There's a price for yours ('cause there's a price for yours, uh-huh)

What's inside of me now but my soul?

...

Key Vocabulary

Vocabulary	Meanings
cold /koʊld/ A1	adjective - having a low temperature
warm /wɔːrm/ A1	adjective - having or giving out a small but pleasant amount of heat
blood /blʌd/ A2	noun - the red liquid that flows inside the bodies of people and animals
skull /skʌl/ B1	noun - the bone structure that forms the head and surrounds the brain
bones /boʊnz/ A2	noun - any of the pieces of hard, whitish tissue making up the skeleton in humans and other vertebrates
Lord /lɔːrd/ B1	noun - a title for God
price /praɪs/ A2	noun - the amount of money that you have to pay for something
soul /soʊl/ B1	noun - the spiritual part of a person that is believed to exist independently of the body
pressure /ˈprɛʃər/ B1	noun - difficult situations or demands that make you feel worried or upset
successor /səkˈsɛsər/ B2	noun - a person or thing that succeeds another
believe /bɪˈliːv/ A2	verb - to accept that something is true or real
respect /rɪˈspɛkt/ B1	verb - to admire someone or something deeply, as a result of their abilities, qualities, or achievements
devilish /ˈdɛvəlɪʃ/ B2	adjective - mischievous or wicked, like a devil
set /sɛt/ B1	noun - the place where a film or play is recorded or performed noun - a collection of musical pieces performed in a concert or recording
grind /ɡraɪnd/ B1	verb - to work or study hard verb - (slang) to perform vigorously, especially a musical set
superstitious /ˌsuːpərˈstɪʃəs/ B2	adjective - having or showing a belief in superstitions
hate /heɪt/ A2	verb - to dislike someone or something very much noun - an intense feeling of dislike
run /rʌn/ A1	verb - to move quickly on foot verb - to operate or function (e.g., a machine, a system)
paper /ˈpeɪpər/ A1	noun - material used for writing, printing, etc. noun - (slang) money
elevate /ˈɛləˌveɪt/ B2	verb - to raise to a higher position or level

Key Grammar Structures

• What's inside of me but skull and bones?

  ➔ Rhetorical question with 'but' implying 'only' or 'nothing other than'.

  ➔ The phrase "What's X but Y?" is a rhetorical question meaning "What is X except Y?" or "X is only Y." Here, it emphasizes that physically, the speaker is nothing more than "skull and bones," prompting a deeper, existential question about their essence.

• The only thing I sold was a record

  ➔ Cleft sentence structure ('The only thing X was Y') for emphasis.

  ➔ This is a cleft sentence that places emphasis on "a record" as the *only* thing the speaker sold. It contrasts with accusations of selling out or something else, asserting her integrity.

• Talented and I'm driven like you ain't ever seen

  ➔ Colloquial 'ain't ever seen' (informal negative contraction for 'haven't ever seen') and 'like' used as a conjunction meaning 'as if' or 'in a way that'.

  ➔ "Ain't ever seen" is an informal way of saying "haven't ever seen" or "never seen." "Like you ain't ever seen" means "in a way you have never seen before," emphasizing the exceptional nature of her talent and drive.

• 'Cause I'ma do something devilish if you at me

  ➔ Informal contraction 'I'ma' ('I am going to') and colloquial usage of 'at' meaning 'to challenge' or 'attack'. Conditional sentence.

  ➔ "I'ma" is a common informal contraction of "I am going to." The phrase "if you at me" is a colloquialism meaning "if you confront me," "if you attack me," or "if you challenge me." It sets up a conditional threat.

• You too high off that booboo to unpack me

  ➔ 'too...to' structure expressing impossibility due to an excessive condition. 'Booboo' and 'unpack' are used colloquially.

  ➔ The "too...to" structure means that someone is "too [adjective]" to perform a certain action. Here, "too high off that booboo" (too intoxicated by drugs/alcohol, "booboo" being a slang term) means they are unable ("to unpack me" - to understand or analyze the speaker fully).

• I'ma make it through 27, y'all superstitious

  ➔ 'Make it through' (phrasal verb meaning to survive or successfully pass) and 'y'all' (informal contraction of 'you all'). The second part is a direct address or an implied 'you are'.

  ➔ "Make it through" means to survive or overcome a difficult period or age. "27" refers to the "27 Club" (famous musicians dying at 27). "Y'all" is an informal way of saying "you all." The line suggests that "you all" (the listeners or critics) are superstitious about this age.

• And you could keep on tellin' yourself it's all in my tats

  ➔ Phrasal verb 'keep on + -ing' (to continue doing something) and modal verb 'could' (for possibility or persistent action). The phrase 'it's all in X' means something is attributed to or caused by X.

  ➔ "Keep on tellin' yourself" means to continue to believe something, often despite evidence to the contrary. "It's all in my tats" means that critics attribute her success or perceived negative traits entirely to her tattoos, implying a superficial judgment.

• I see y'all prepping for doomsday, but that ain't San Andreas fault

  ➔ 'Ain't' (informal contraction of 'is not' or 'are not') and idiomatic expression 'X's fault' (X is responsible). 'Prepping for' (informal for preparing for).

  ➔ "Ain't" is an informal contraction for "is not," "am not," "are not." "San Andreas fault" is a famous geological fault line in California. The phrase "that ain't San Andreas fault" is a playful way of saying that the impending "doomsday" (figurative for disaster/criticism) is not due to a natural, unavoidable cause, but rather to the actions or beliefs of "y'all" (you all).

• Bitches cryin' with full face, that's animal cruelty

  ➔ Present participle 'cryin'' used colloquially as 'crying' without 'are'. 'With full face' (ambiguous, could mean full makeup, or openly/visibly). Hyperbole.

  ➔ "Cryin'" is a colloquial spelling of "crying." "With full face" could refer to crying intensely or perhaps crying while wearing a full face of makeup, suggesting a dramatic or perhaps disingenuous display of emotion. The phrase "that's animal cruelty" is hyperbole, dramatically exaggerating the impact of their crying to dismiss it as excessive or manipulative.

• I'ma let the paper talk, gotta elevate the bar

  ➔ Causative verb 'let X do Y' (allow/cause X to do Y), informal 'gotta' ('have to'), and two idioms: 'paper talk' (money speaks) and 'elevate the bar' (improve standards).

  ➔ "I'ma let the paper talk" uses the causative verb "let" and the idiom "paper talk" (referring to money/success speaking for itself). "Gotta elevate the bar" means "I have to raise the standard" or "improve performance." Both phrases emphasize her focus on tangible success and raising her own level.