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Paper Planes
M.I.A. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning

I fly like paper, get high like planes
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
If you come around here, I make 'em all day
I get one down in a second if you wait

I fly like paper, get high like planes
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
If you come around here, I make 'em all day
I get one down in a second if you wait

Sometimes I think sitting on trains
Every stop I get to, I'm clocking that game
Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame
Bona fide hustler making my name

Sometimes I think sitting on trains
Every stop I get to I'm clocking that game
Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame
Bona fide hustler making my name

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

Pirate skulls and bones
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
Running when we hit 'em
Lethal poison for the system

Pirate skulls and bones
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
Running when we hit 'em
Lethal poison for the system

No one on the corner has swag like us
Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
Already going hard, just pumping that gas

No one on the corner has swag like us
Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
Already going hard, just pumping that gas

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

M.I.A.
Third world democracy
Yeah, I got more records than the K.G.B.
So, uh, no funny business
(Are you already high?)

Some, some, some, I, some I murder
Some, I, some I let go
Some, some, some, I, some I murder
Some, I, some I let go

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money

Overall Meaning

The song Paper Planes by M.I.A. is a commentary on immigration and the experiences of those who cross borders in search of a better life. The repeated refrain "I fly like paper, get high like planes" is a play on words that simultaneously references airplanes and the fragility of documentation. The lines "If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name" and "Pirate skulls and bones, sticks and stones and weed and bongs, running when we hit 'em, lethal poison for the system" allude to the struggles that immigrants face as they try to navigate the legal and social systems of their new countries. The line "No one on the corner has swag like us, hit me on my burner prepaid wireless" acknowledges the resourcefulness and ingenuity of immigrants in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

I fly like paper, get high like planes
I may be light and fragile like paper, but I soar high like planes


If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
I have a lot of documentation and permits to navigate through borders


If you come around here, I make 'em all day
If you're looking for me around here, I'm constantly producing something


I get one down in a second if you wait
I can produce something in a really short time if you give me a chance


Sometimes I think sitting on trains
At times, I introspect while traveling in trains


Every stop I get to, I'm clocking that game
At each stop, I'm keenly observing and learning from my surroundings


Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame
We're all finding success and recognition in our own way


Bona fide hustler making my name
I'm truly dedicated and working hard to establish my name


All I wanna do is And then And take your money
My ultimate goal is to create something valuable and profitable


Pirate skulls and bones
The dark and edgy aspects of our society


Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
People using harmful and addictive substances to cope with their lives


Running when we hit 'em
Others avoid or fear us when we confront them


Lethal poison for the system
Our actions and ways of life may be harmful for society in the long run


No one on the corner has swag like us
We're unique and stylish, and no one else has what we have


Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
Reach me through my untraceable phone number


We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
We're efficient and fast, like a professional delivery service


Already going hard, just pumping that gas
We're already working hard and pushing ourselves, like fueling up a car


M.I.A.
The artist introducing herself


Third world democracy
My music represents the struggles and conflicts of the developing world


Yeah, I got more records than the K.G.B.
I have more music records than even the notorious Soviet intelligence agency


So, uh, no funny business
Let's keep things serious and professional


(Are you already high?)
Asking if the listener is already enjoying the music


Some, some, some, I, some I murder Some, I, some I let go
Sometimes I create and destroy, other times I create and let go




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Mellor, Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam, Michael Jones, Nicholas Headon, Paul Simonon, Thomas Wesley Pentz

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

jaden rivers

THIS SONG completes describes an era. One of the most nostalgic songs I’ve ever heard

Lilii_

Ikr

bitter

yea an era of shit music

Eddy Jerapah

100% true

Delta Funky

@bitter bro what are you talking about

random person

@bitter rude

28 More Replies...

Pratik Mahajan

13 years & I'm still here to listen to this masterpiece. This never gets old ♥️

ThatDudeHarv

oh nevermind

Trainspotting SEQ

same

Pecheur

good song never get old !

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