Attention
M.I.A. Lyrics


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I been running these streets for a minute now
You wondering when i'm gonna change for you, yea
You got my attention, yea, yea, girl you got my attention
I ain't trying to sell you a drink, and I ain't promising anything no
But you got my attention, yea, yea, got my attention

I been looking for you so long, did you get my call
I want you to undress you, i'm trying to impress you girl
Do you really need me, cause I really need you
I wanna make love to you, I wanna take control of you

I been running these streets for a minute now, yea, yea
You wondering when i'm gonna change for you, oh no
No, no, you got my attention, attention baby, girl you got my attention
You got it, you got it oooh, I ain't trying to sell you a drink
And I ain't promising anything no, but you got my attention, yea, yea, got my attention

Now that I got you here now, your lips are so amazing
Your body is incredible, you are so edible, put you on my bed
And make sweet love to you, baby can you handle this, you know I am a pro tho this

I been running these streets for a minute now
You wondering when i'm gonna change for you, yea
You got my attention, yea, yea, girl you got my attention




I ain't trying to sell you a drink, and I ain't promising anything no
But you got my attention, yea, yea, got my attention

Overall Meaning

The song "Attention" by M.I.A. is about a man who has been living a fast-paced lifestyle on the streets and has finally found someone to pay attention to. He confesses his desire for the woman and offers to make love to her. He admits that he hasn't been the easiest person to change for someone else but the woman has caught his attention nonetheless. The chorus repeats the message that the woman has his attention even if he is not promising anything more.


The lyrics can be seen as somewhat crude and explicit, with the man referring to the woman's body as "edible" and mentioning his expertise in bed. However, the song is ultimately about desire and connection. The repeated refrain of "you got my attention" serves as the central message of the song and emphasizes the man's willingness to focus on the woman despite his past lifestyle.


Overall, "Attention" is a sultry and confident song that explores the different facets of desire and attraction. It portrays a man who is finally willing to change his ways for the right person and offers himself up as a lover who will pay attention to the woman's needs.


Line by Line Meaning

I been running these streets for a minute now
I have been actively living my life in these streets for quite some time


You wondering when i'm gonna change for you, yea
You are curious whether or not I will alter my ways for you


You got my attention, yea, yea, girl you got my attention
You have grabbed my focus and interest, girl


I ain't trying to sell you a drink, and I ain't promising anything no
I am not attempting to persuade you with liquor and I am not making any definite commitments


But you got my attention, yea, yea, got my attention
But you absolutely have my attention and interest, girl


I been looking for you so long, did you get my call
I have been searching for you for quite some time, did you receive my message


I want you to undress you, i'm trying to impress you girl
I desire for you to take off your clothes, I am attempting to create a good impression on you, girl


Do you really need me, cause I really need you
Do you actually require me, because I definitely require you


I wanna make love to you, I wanna take control of you
I want to have sexual intercourse with you, I want to have dominance over you


No, no, you got my attention, attention baby, girl you got my attention
No, no, you absolutely have my attention, attention baby, girl you got my attention


Now that I got you here now, your lips are so amazing
Now that I have you with me, your lips are incredibly desirable


Your body is incredible, you are so edible, put you on my bed
Your physique is exceptional, you are so palatable, I will lay you down on my bed


And make sweet love to you, baby can you handle this, you know I am a pro tho this
And have a romantic sexual experience with you, baby can you endure this physically and emotionally, you know I am highly skilled at this


But you got my attention, yea, yea, got my attention
But you definitely have my attention and interest, girl




Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: Antonio Walker

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@RShaw-mk9uc

The fullest attempt in my intent is to let you know what is important
My existence is militant 'cause my content bangs like it’s potent
Distant to the pollutant, never hesitant, always consistent
I back it up, yeah I’m very blatant
Don’t try to copy this 'cause I patent
Running on the streets causing TENTsion
Like Running through, running through, running running through the streets
Running, running through, running through, running running through the streets
Running, running through, running through, running running through the streets
Running on the streets causing TENTsion, like atTENTion!

I'm touched to see my life from a distance
For instance, my friends say I act tense
I’m a refugee from a yellow brick tent
Past TENT present TENT and future TENT our battle is a long walk
Like a sentence and its intent breaches its instinct
We go the distance to presidents
Throw atTENTion about my tent

Things fall on my head like we’re mutant
So don’t drop that ball on that paTENT
We’re aliens but we’re not mutant
We tent after tent, a camp tent
There’s thirty six chambers in my Wu tent
We slang tent in
Bend a tent
While you're dancing in your LoubouTENT
We be making tent, out ya curTENT



All comments from YouTube:

@sta357

This song deserved more aTENTion

@SpaceCattttt

She certainly doesn't have any problems being original.

@ItWasEnnui

this sound is actually a throwback sound.  it's reminiscent of underground breakbeat/jungle from the u.k. back in 92.  this is warehouse music.  m.i.a. was obviously a club kid before anything.  my girl..

@Shanannigan1

You nailed it. Check out her song XR2, it's precisely about being a club kid in 92.

@richardhenny1114

Hobble Don't forget the Hyperdub genre. Example; Burial or Four tet .

I love this song though. Lyrical genius from the start.

@maikuumai

what????how old´s she then????  i thought she 25 or sth...:SSS

@maikuumai

***** so she ripped the sound or th?? name of the song of 92 please!!

@Shanannigan1

She's nearly 40. She grew up in that scene so it's a heavy inspiration.

1 More Replies...

@babydactyl

i have a very strong feeling that M.I.A. is gonna blow up again if she isn't already, such an incredibly inventive style and any of her music sounds like it could come out next week

@sarahichavez382

The fact that I've never heard a similar sound like that "Tent" distorted effect shows how she's the standard

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