The band had its origins in Las Vegas, Nevada, where in 1980 singer Todd Sampson, bassist Mike Conley, and drummer Chris Moon were in a band called The Swell. Guitarist Nick Adams joined and the band changed their name to M.I.A. (Missing In Action) and played one show on December 31, 1980, New Year's Eve. Adams left the band two weeks later and moved to San Diego, Calif, later that spring Moon and Conley moved to Orange County. In June 1981 Adams moved to Orange County and the three decided to re-form the band with Conley moving to vocals and bringing in another Las Vegas friend, Paul Schwartz, to play bass.
Discography:
Last Rites for Genocide / MIA (split LP, 1982, BOMP/Invasion Records)
Murder in a Foreign Place (LP, 1984, Alternative Tentacles)
Notes From the Underground (LP, 1985, National Trust Records)
After the Fact (LP, 1987, Flipside Records)
Lost Boys (CD, 2001, Alternative Tentacles)
Out of Control
M.I.A/Missing In Action Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I just need to know
You know that we've been here
don't wanna go home
Tell me it how it feels then
Baby come on
Come on
Drinking how long
Don't know what you're thinking
You don't really show
Tell me it how it feels then
Baby come on
Come on
I should know by now
We're out of control
I should know by now
We're out of control
But we'll never slow down no oh
Took your time to get here
Tell me what you want
I know what you're thinking are we really on
Tell me it how it feels then
Baby come on
Come on
Can see it now coming
Taking me over
Take me to the deep end
Run and jump off
Tell me it how it feels then
Baby come on
Come on
Come on
I should know by now
We're out of control
Waiting for you to slow down ohhh
I should know by now
We're out of control
But we'll never slow down no oh
Running from the real thing
Drinking how long
Don't know what you're thinking
You don't really show
Tell me it how it feels then
Baby come on
Come on
The lyrics of M.I.A's song Out Of Control paint a vivid picture of someone who appears to be running away from their problems by indulging in alcohol and engaging in reckless behavior. The chorus echoes the sentiment that the singer is aware that things are out of control, but is powerless to slow down or stop the rush of adrenaline that comes with living life in the fast lane. The first verse contains a plea to a lover to open up and share their feelings, interspersed with descriptions of wild partying and escapism. The second verse hints that the singer is aware that their behavior is unsustainable and that they may end up paying a cost for their recklessness.
Overall, the song seems to be a call to live life to the fullest, even if that means completely losing control. It's a testament to the fact that sometimes it takes letting go of everything you think you know to truly find yourself. The chorus, though seemingly repetitive, drives home the message that once you've allowed yourself to be consumed by the chaos around you, there's no way to slow down or stop without completely losing yourself in the process.
Line by Line Meaning
Tell me how it feels then
Asking for honesty and transparency about feelings
I just need to know
Expressing a need for understanding and knowledge
You know that we've been here
Acknowledging a familiar situation
Don't wanna go home
Desire to stay in the current situation
Baby come on
Encouragement to engage in honest communication
Running from the real thing
Avoidance of reality and real emotions
Drinking how long
Substance abuse as a coping mechanism
Don't know what you're thinking
Lack of understanding of the other person's thoughts and feelings
You don't really show
The other person is not open about their emotions
I should know by now
Admitting previous knowledge or experience
We're out of control
The situation is getting out of hand
But we'll never slow down no oh
Despite recognizing a lack of control, there is a refusal to change the current behavior and habits
Took your time to get here
Acknowledging that the other person has taken a long time to arrive at this point in the relationship
I know what you're thinking are we really on
Awareness of doubt in the other person's mind about the status of the relationship
Can see it now coming
Sensing an inevitable outcome or consequence
Taking me over
Becoming overwhelmed by emotions or actions
Take me to the deep end
Desiring to take risks and push boundaries
Run and jump off
Willingness to take bold actions without thinking about potential consequences
Waiting for you to slow down ohhh
Hoping for the other person to change their behavior and slow down
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Liam McAuliffe, Veronica Johnston
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
I Palaver
In 1972, I started working for a woman while I was going through the Sandpoint School of Beauty in Sandpoint, Idaho. At the time, her husband, a Green Beret, had been MIA for nine years.
I vividly remember being glued to the tv for three days with her and her two young sons ages 10 and 12, as we watched our POWs come down off the planes, some of them kissing the ground as they set foot on friendly soil.
His name was Bill Hunt and he was eventually declared dead and though I never knew him, I often think of him and all of the other fallen men who never made it back.
Suffice it to say, it impacted my life in a deeply personal way and my appreciation for what the wives did to bring attention to their husbands' plight is just as deep.
God bless our men and women in battle as well as the husbands and wives at home who keep the home fires burning until their safe return.
Frosted
@FATHERS CARE COURTS DON'T Apparently, many Soviet soldiers did the same in the Soviet War from 1980 - 89.
Apparently, Soviet soldiers, initially involuntary, but later voluntarily stayed in Afghanistan after the Soviet Army left in '89.
A Russian 'advisor' working for the US-Coalition in 2004 found an ex-colleague in Afghanistan.
The Russian was absolutely stunned and blown away.
The ex-Soviet soldier now turned Afghan told this Russian advisor that he knew of at least 20 other Soviet soldiers who stayed behind.
He provided very accurate information of these former soldier's name, rank and area where they last fought.
I was stunned reading this Russian advisor's account.
TheWirdbird
I went to high school with a girl whose father was MIA. She always wore a POW bracelent with her father's name. He returned in 1975, and it was wonderful to watch, on TV, when her father stepped off the plane into the arms of his wife and children.
Lynette Morrow
A classmates father was a p.o.w and we all wore his bracelet.He returned and we all presented the bracelets to him.
Doug’s Muay Thai
I still remember watching on tv as a little kid, the POWs getting off the planes.
Roberta Fierro
Cordinne McMurray, private first class. I wore his name on my wrist. I watched him as he exited the plane. He looked just an average young black guy. How I cheered! I must have been 11 or 12 years-old but i felt that I knew him! I had looked at this bracelet for months trying to imagine what this poor guy was going through.
Whispers From The Dark
For those who have died in captivity or during combat, rest in peace. You are not forgotten. And for any who are still living, we still remember and we care.
Moises Fuentes
‘N for those murdered in those secret prisons around the world ‘n Abugraib ‘n Guantánamo bay, W00tt?? 0blivion??
abu kamoon
I agree. They are not forgotten, and neither are the traitors in Washington who abandoned them.
Sarah Leach
A man found many dog tags when he visited a market in North Vietnam. He found my brother's dogtags contacted
The Veterans assoc. And mailed them to him. It was an amazing feat of kindness.
God bless these women and their husband's and children.💔
HigherWaysWoman
what a deeply moving story....thank you, sarah for sharing it w/us...and I give your post a BIG AMEN..!!!
Fedupwithfed forever
God Bless you and your brother.....He was a BRAVE man who fought for our country I have HUGE respect for him...HUGE RESPECT !