7 Year Bitch was formed in 1990 by vocalist Selene Vigil, guitarist Stefanie Sargent, bassist Elizabeth Davis and drummer Valerie Agnew. Vigil, Sargent, and Agnew had been playing together in the Seattle band Barbie's Dream Car when their bassist left for Europe. They subsequently recruited Davis and renamed their band after the movie Seven Year Itch.
At their first concert, the band opened for The Gits, who would prove to have a significant influence on their music. In 1991 the band released the single "Lorna" and signed with C/Z Records. Their first album, Sick 'Em, was released in 1992, but it was overshadowed by Sargent's death on June 27. Sargent passed out on her back after returning home from a party where she had drunk alcohol and taken a small amount of heroin. She died of asphyxiation when she failed to wake up after throwing up the contents of her stomach. After a prolonged period of uncertainty, the band decided to continue, recruiting guitarist Roisin Dunne as Sargent's replacement later that year.
In July 1993, longtime friend and Gits frontwoman Mia Zapata was brutally raped and murdered while walking home late at night. This event, coupled with Sargent's death the previous year, had a profound effect on the group. As a reaction, the band recorded and released their second album ¡Viva Zapata! (1994) in tribute to both of their fallen friends. Valerie Agnew also became the primary instigator and co-founder of the anti-violence and self-defence organisation Home Alive. On April 8, 1994, the band played a benefit show for Rock Against Domestic Violence at the Cameo Theatre on Miami Beach, alongside Babes in Toyland and Jack Off Jill.
In 1995 the band signed with Atlantic Records, and in 1996 released their third album, Gato Negro. Following the tour supporting Gato Negro, guitarist Roisin Dunne left, and was replaced by Lisa Faye Beatty, the band's live sound engineer and long-time friend.
In early 1997, the band began recording material for what was to be their fourth album. The band moved from Seattle to California, Elizabeth Davis and Valerie Agnew to San Francisco and Selene Vigil to Los Angeles. With the recent departure of their guitarist, Roisin Dunne and the geographical separation between bandmates, Seven Year Bitch's career came to a close after a final tour with San Francisco's Lost Goat.
Following the break-up of 7 Year Bitch, bassist Elizabeth Davis joined the San Francisco-based band Clone, with whom she performed until 2003. In 2005 she helped to form the band Von Iva. Vocalist Selene Vigil formed a gothic/psychedelic-influenced band by the name of Cistine, in 2000. Roisin Dunne joined the band The Last Goodbye in 2006, and now resides in New York.
Their songs, "The Scratch" and "Icy Blue" were featured in the movie Mad Love with Drew Barrymore and Chris O'Donnell.
M.I.A
7 Year Bitch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No fact.
No matter.
Who do you suspect?
Who is not afraid to die?
Who would tell such a lie?
Who runs away?
Who do we fear?
Somebody just like you gonna rape and strangle you?
Would you mutilate yourself?
And who would be so shocked by the brutal murder of a killer?
Will there be hundreds mourning for you?
Will they talk of the talent and inspiration you gave?
No.
Who besides your mother will stand in sorrow at your grave?
Mother may I?
Momma Mia
I'll see ya. [Repeat x3]
I can't see [Repeat x4]
It's dark here.
No direction.
Just aggravation.
Aggravation over losing you.
To who?
No justice.
No clue.
And the core of this agitation is my aggravation.
Yeah the core of this agitation is my aggravation.
I come down and upon desperation.
I crawl inside and look out.
Look out [Repeat x2]
I can't see [Repeat x3]
Some things don't come full circle
Circle
Circle
Pace [Repeat x3]
We walk in place.
No fact.
No matter.
Society did this to you?
Does society have justice for you?
Well if not, I do.
Because the core of this agitation is my aggravation.
Yeah the core of this agitation is my aggravation.
I come down and upon desperation.
I crawl inside and look out.
I can't see [Repeat x5]
Society did this to you?
Does society have justice for you?
If not, I do.
The lyrics of "M.I.A." by 7 Year Bitch are a commentary on the societal issues of violence against women and the struggle for justice. The opening lines suggest the ambiguity of truth and how it may not always matter when it comes to matters of violence and murder. The lyrics ask who we suspect, who is afraid to die, who would tell a lie, who would run away, and who we fear. The point being made is that anyone can be a victim or perpetrator of violence, and it can happen to anyone.
The lyrics then take on a more personal tone, addressing the specific act of rape and murder. The questions asked are brutal and challenging, asking if one would mutilate themselves or if anyone would really mourn for them. The line "Mother may I?" is a play on the game children play, but in this context, it's as if the victim is begging their mother for help or asking permission to die.
The final verse shifts from the victim's personal experience to society's role in perpetuating violence and the lack of justice for victims. The repetition of "I can't see" illustrates the struggle for clarity and justice. The lyrics challenge society to take responsibility and offer justice for victims, even if they are not able to do so themselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Matter of fact.
Stating a fact.
No fact.
There is no evidence.
No matter.
It doesn't make a difference.
Who do you suspect?
Who is responsible?
Who is not afraid to die?
Who would kill without fear of punishment?
Who would tell such a lie?
Who would lie to protect themselves?
Who runs away?
Who avoids responsibility?
Who do we fear?
Who is a threat to society?
Somebody just like you gonna rape and strangle you?
Would you harm yourself if given the chance?
Would you mutilate yourself?
Are you mentally unstable?
And who would be so shocked by the brutal murder of a killer?
Why do we view justice as an eye for an eye?
Will there be hundreds mourning for you?
Will your life be remembered?
Will they talk of the talent and inspiration you gave?
Were you a positive influence on others?
No.
It is unlikely.
Who besides your mother will stand in sorrow at your grave?
Who truly cares about your existence?
Mother may I?
Can I have permission?
Momma Mia
My mother.
I'll see ya. [Repeat x3]
I can't see [Repeat x4]
It's dark here.
No direction.
Just aggravation.
Aggravation over losing you.
To who?
No justice.
No clue.
Feeling lost and frustrated after a death with no resolution.
And the core of this agitation is my aggravation.
Yeah the core of this agitation is my aggravation.
I come down and upon desperation.
I crawl inside and look out.
Look out [Repeat x2]
Feeling trapped and desperate for a solution.
I can't see [Repeat x3]
Feeling blind to the truth.
Some things don't come full circle
Circle
Circle
Some things never get resolved.
Pace [Repeat x3]
We walk in place.
Making no progress.
No fact.
No matter.
Society did this to you?
Does society have justice for you?
Well if not, I do.
Feeling responsible for seeking justice after societal failure.
Society did this to you?
Does society have justice for you?
If not, I do.
Feeling a personal obligation to right societal wrongs.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: ANDREW ENGLANDER UNDERBERG, MARQUIS VAUGHN WALLACE, RICO A DAVIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@cakejunkiexo
One of the best songs ever written/performed. Great video too. For a Sociology final paper, I explicated this song, and wrote about Mia Zapata's murder's effect on the Seattle music scene. Got 100. Thanks for posting this!
@larissaoliveira-lp8ok
can I read your paper?
@nickeybordelon4474
I want to read this paper..
@cakejunkiexo
@@nickeybordelon4474 I wish I still had it. Alas, I graduated college in 2001 and all that stuff is long gone.
@eochaidhoghachruithne
Women are still dying.
@reneewillkill
THIS BAND NEEDS TO COME BACK!!!!
@mmckee58
When I first saw 7YB in '96, i believed they were the greatest rock band I'd ever encountered, regardless of gender. I still believe it today. here's to 7YB and their fans
@blazak
This was such a great band - I saw them at EJ's in Portland, one of the best shows ever. Just wish I would've seen the Gits. Come back 7 Year Bitch!
@CataAsdf1313
world needs more music like this
@solwolfpunk
Awesome. This is the best song I have heard in a long,long,long time.