Born in Odense, Denmark, MØ was just seven when the Spice Girls inspired her to make music. In her teenage years, she sang in the punk duo MOR and looked up to Kim Gordon as a "big hero and role model". Then in her early twenties, she "fell in love" with hip-hop. All of these influences led to her dreamy electro-pop vibe as MØ, which means "maiden" or "virgin" in Danish.
In 2012, she and Ronni Vindahl began to collaborate on her first tracks. Glass was released in Janurary 2013, and Pilgrim followed in March. MØ was recognized as P3s Uundgåelige (P3 Unavoidable), a label given to rising artists by Danish radio station DR P3, as Pilgrim charted on the Danish Singles Chart. In November, she released her debut EP, Bikini Daze. Finishing out the year, she won the P3 Guld award in December.
In March 2014, she released her album No Mythologies to Follow and began touring in Europe and North America. It was supported by singles Don't Wanna Dance, Say You'll Be There (Spice Girls cover), and Walk This Way. In October 2014, she was featured on Iggy Azalea's single Beg For It and performed on Saturday Night Live — her first entry on the US Billboard charts peaking at #27. In 2015, MØ contributed vocals to Lean On, the Major Lazer and DJ Snake dancehall hit that reached #4 on the US Billboard and topped several other charts around the world.
In 2016, MØ released two singles for her upcoming second studio album — both Kamikaze and Final Song charted in several countries, with the latter reaching #1 on the UK charts. Cold Water, featuring Justin Bieber and MØ, was another Major Lazer track that reached 2 on the Billboard charts in August.
Roots
MØ Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
oh
You heard the news, sweet child
I've slaughtered all them swines
I left it burnin'
Gone to New York
There will be no more violence in the house of your heart
There was a rabble
And I was weak for a while
I'll never be as good as you so
I got a ride and
I hitched out for new yards
There will be no more violence in the house of your heart
In the name of the Lord
Oh, oh, baby
Where will I dig my roots?
It's aching each time that I think of you
I wish for a better day to come around
Wanna shake my hands down
Show you what you found (oh)
I wish for a better day to come around
So put a gun to the thunder inside of my head
Oh
Oh
You heard the news, sweet child
The world is mad, we're runnin' wild
Hop on ride and
Get off at New York
There will be no more violence in the house of your heart
In the house of your heart
In the name of the Lord
I wish there'd been another way
Wish there'd been another way
Wish I'd stayed, but
Oh, oh, baby
Where will I dig my roots?
It's aching each time that I think of you
I wish for a better day to come around
Wanna shake my hands down
Show you what you found (oh)
I wish for a better day to come around
So put a gun to the thunder inside of my head (oh)
Where will I dig my roots? (Oh)
Where will I dig my roots?
The song "Roots" by MØ seems to be about a person who has left their home and past behind, with the intention of starting anew in New York City. The opening lines contain the assertion that the singer has "slaughtered all them swines" and "left it burnin'," suggesting the idea of a destructive past or negative influences that have been dealt with and discarded. The singer has left their home, which was once filled with "violence," behind to make a fresh start.
The chorus expresses a sense of longing, both for a better future and for the loved one left behind. The repeated line "Where will I dig my roots?" seems to ask the question of where to belong and how to establish a new home in a new place. Backed by a simple but effective melody, this song raises the question of where to call home and how to create a new life without the shadow of a violent past.
Overall, the song "Roots" seems to be a melancholy and introspective tune about the pain of leaving one's roots behind in search of a brighter future free from the violence and negativity of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
You heard the news, sweet child
I have a message for you
I've slaughtered all them swines
I've put an end to all the negativity in my life
I left it burnin', gone to New York
I've left my past behind and started a new life in New York
There will be no more violence in the house of your heart
I promise to make your life better and safer
In the house of your heart
In your life and your heart
There was a rabble
There was chaos and disorder
And I was weak for a while
I was vulnerable and helpless at times
I'll never be as good as you so
I'll never be able to live up to your expectations
I got a ride and hitched out for new yards
I took a chance and left to explore new opportunities
In the name of the Lord
With the help of a higher power
Oh, oh, baby
Oh, my love
Where will I dig my roots?
Where will I find my true home and belonging?
It's aching each time that I think of you
My heart hurts every time I think of you
I wish for a better day to come around
I hope for a brighter future
Wanna shake my hands down, show you what you found
I want to prove my worth and show you what I can do
So put a gun to the thunder inside of my head
I'm willing to face my fears and overcome my obstacles
The world is mad, we're runnin' wild
The world is chaotic and we're caught up in it
Hop on ride and get off at New York
Come along with me and start anew in New York
I wish there'd been another way
I regret the choices I've made
Where will I dig my roots? (Oh)
Where do I truly belong?
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Adam Ashtiani, Hasse Moller, Nick Labajewska Madsen, Karen Marie Orsted
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Kay Caudell
on Freedom (
I never thought a white girl from Denmark would cover the theme from Panther