Born Free
M.I.A. Lyrics
Man made power
Stood like a tower higher
Hi'ya hi'ya hello
And the higher you go
You feel lower oh oh
So I was close to the ants
Staying under cover, staying under cover
With the nose to the ground
I found my sound
Got myself a jacket for a dollar
And my nails are chipped
But I'm eager
And car doesn't work so I'm stuck here
I don't wanna live for tomara
I'll push my luck today
I'll throw this in ya face when I see ya
I got somethin' to say
I'll throw this shit in ya face when I see ya
Cause I got somin' to say
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
You might try to find ways to be happier
You might end up somewhere in Ethiopia
You can think big with your idea
You ain't never gonna find utopia
Take a bite out life make it snappier
Ordinary gon' super trippyer
So I check shit cause I'm lippyer
Oh split the cheque like Slovakia
I don't wanna live for tomara
I'll push my luck today
I'll throw this in ya face when I see ya
I got somethin' to say
I'll throw this shit in ya face when I see ya
Cause I got somin' to say
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
I don't wanna talk about money
Cause I got it
I don't want to talk about hoochies
Cause I've been it
And I don't wanna to be that fake
Cause you can do it
And imitators yeah stick it!
Lord who eva' you are
Com out wherever you are
Lord who eva' you are
Com out wherever you are
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MAYA ARULPRAGASAM, ALAN BERMOWITZ, JOHN HILL, MARTIN REVERBY, DAVE TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
There are five known artists under this name:
1. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam also known as M.I.A., (born 18 July 1975 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sri Lanka, where her father became increasingly politically active in militant activities. As the Civil War escalated the rest of the family was forced to flee as refugees, first to India and then the UK. Read Full BioThere are five known artists under this name:
1. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam also known as M.I.A., (born 18 July 1975 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sri Lanka, where her father became increasingly politically active in militant activities. As the Civil War escalated the rest of the family was forced to flee as refugees, first to India and then the UK. “M.I.A.” [“Missing In Action”] references both her London neighborhood (Acton) and her politically tumultuous youth.
Her style contains elements of hip-hop, reggae, alternative, dance hall, electro and baile funk and is strongly inspired by her Sri Lankan background.
2. American Punk/Hardcore band formed in Orange County, CA in 1981 by Chris Moon, drums; Mike Conley, bass; Nick Adams, guitar (all previously of Las Vegas, NV punk band The Swell); and Art Carasco, vocals. Their sound was generally hardcore and thrasher, though they produced more melodic and progressive sounds in their later albums. Allmusic called the band "one of the 50 best So-Cal punk bands of the great early-'80s second wave explosion. In 1984 they signed a deal with the cult Alternative Tentacles label, after the label's founder, Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, saw them play at a secret illegal punk nightclub in Las Vegas. Biafra was impressed by Mike Conley's distinctive voice, saying "The minute you hear a song with him singing you know it's him." They released the album Murder in a Foreign Place on Alternative Tentacles in 1984, followed in 1985 by Notes From the Underground on National Trust Records, and in 1987 by After the Fact on Flipside Records. The band split up in 1988. In 2001, Alternative Tentacles released Lost Boys, a 37-song retrospective of the band's work, including Last Rites, Murder in a Foreign Place, and several additional tracks. On February 28, 2008 vocalist Mike Conley was found dead in a Chicago hotel parking lot. Conley was taken to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, where he was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m. On April 27, 2008, there was a secret warm-up show at Detroit Bar featuring Todd Sampson of Self Abuse and Samson's Army on vocals, Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys on guest vocals, Chris Moon and Larry Pearson on drums, Nick Adams on guitar, and Bob Thomson on bass. The next day, the "Beautiful Noise" benefit show took place at the Anaheim House of Blues with Jigsaw, Naked Soul, Cadillac Tramps, Social Distortion and MIA with the same lineup as the previous night, but adding Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds on guest vocals. The proceeds of "Beautiful Noise" went to Mike Conley's family.
(3) Formed in the mid 70s, Independent Musicians Associated (MIA) was a group of musicians, technicians and drawers gathered together by Lito and Liliana Vitale’s parents. They produced their own records and concerts in an independent way. Their music is a complex symphonic rock with definite Argentinean/latin folk influence with multiple chorals and vocals beautifully contrasting with the keyboards and a great guitar sound upon a strong rhythmic section. They were highly influenced by symphonic music, more noteworthy by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant and Focus.
4. Merriweathers is a member of Underground Resistance under the alias of The Unknown Soldier.
5. mia's page (Michaela Grobelny).
1. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam also known as M.I.A., (born 18 July 1975 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sri Lanka, where her father became increasingly politically active in militant activities. As the Civil War escalated the rest of the family was forced to flee as refugees, first to India and then the UK. Read Full BioThere are five known artists under this name:
1. Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam also known as M.I.A., (born 18 July 1975 in Hounslow, London, U.K.) is a British artist of Sri Lankan descent. As a baby she moved with her family to their native Sri Lanka, where her father became increasingly politically active in militant activities. As the Civil War escalated the rest of the family was forced to flee as refugees, first to India and then the UK. “M.I.A.” [“Missing In Action”] references both her London neighborhood (Acton) and her politically tumultuous youth.
Her style contains elements of hip-hop, reggae, alternative, dance hall, electro and baile funk and is strongly inspired by her Sri Lankan background.
2. American Punk/Hardcore band formed in Orange County, CA in 1981 by Chris Moon, drums; Mike Conley, bass; Nick Adams, guitar (all previously of Las Vegas, NV punk band The Swell); and Art Carasco, vocals. Their sound was generally hardcore and thrasher, though they produced more melodic and progressive sounds in their later albums. Allmusic called the band "one of the 50 best So-Cal punk bands of the great early-'80s second wave explosion. In 1984 they signed a deal with the cult Alternative Tentacles label, after the label's founder, Dead Kennedys frontman Jello Biafra, saw them play at a secret illegal punk nightclub in Las Vegas. Biafra was impressed by Mike Conley's distinctive voice, saying "The minute you hear a song with him singing you know it's him." They released the album Murder in a Foreign Place on Alternative Tentacles in 1984, followed in 1985 by Notes From the Underground on National Trust Records, and in 1987 by After the Fact on Flipside Records. The band split up in 1988. In 2001, Alternative Tentacles released Lost Boys, a 37-song retrospective of the band's work, including Last Rites, Murder in a Foreign Place, and several additional tracks. On February 28, 2008 vocalist Mike Conley was found dead in a Chicago hotel parking lot. Conley was taken to Gottlieb Memorial Hospital in Melrose Park, where he was pronounced dead at 6:25 a.m. On April 27, 2008, there was a secret warm-up show at Detroit Bar featuring Todd Sampson of Self Abuse and Samson's Army on vocals, Jello Biafra of Dead Kennedys on guest vocals, Chris Moon and Larry Pearson on drums, Nick Adams on guitar, and Bob Thomson on bass. The next day, the "Beautiful Noise" benefit show took place at the Anaheim House of Blues with Jigsaw, Naked Soul, Cadillac Tramps, Social Distortion and MIA with the same lineup as the previous night, but adding Kevin Seconds of 7 Seconds on guest vocals. The proceeds of "Beautiful Noise" went to Mike Conley's family.
(3) Formed in the mid 70s, Independent Musicians Associated (MIA) was a group of musicians, technicians and drawers gathered together by Lito and Liliana Vitale’s parents. They produced their own records and concerts in an independent way. Their music is a complex symphonic rock with definite Argentinean/latin folk influence with multiple chorals and vocals beautifully contrasting with the keyboards and a great guitar sound upon a strong rhythmic section. They were highly influenced by symphonic music, more noteworthy by Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant and Focus.
4. Merriweathers is a member of Underground Resistance under the alias of The Unknown Soldier.
5. mia's page (Michaela Grobelny).
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x c1ara
Yeah, man made powers
Stood like a tower, higher and higher, hello
And the higher you go, you feel lower, oh
I was close to the end
Staying undercover, staying undercover
With a nose to the ground, I found my sound
Got myself an interview tomorrow
I got myself a jacket for a dollar
And my nails are chipped but I'm eager
And the car doesn't work, so I'm stuck here
Yeah, I don't wanna live for tomorrow, I push my life today
I throw this in your face when I see ya, I got something to say
I throw this shit in your face when I see ya 'cause I got something to say
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Born free, born free
Born free, born free
You could try to find ways to be happier
You might end up somewhere in Ethiopia
You can think big with your idea
You ain't never gonna find Utopia
Take a bite out of life, make it snappier, yeah
Ordinary gone super trippier
So I check shit 'cause I'm lippier
And split a Czech like Slovakia
Yeah, I don't wanna live for tomorrow, I push my life today
I throw this in your face when I see you 'cause I got something to say
I throw this shit in your face when I see you
'Cause I got something to say
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Born free, born free
Born free, born free
I don't wanna talk about money 'cause I got it
And I don't wanna talk about hoochies 'cause I been it
And I don't wanna be that fake but you can do it
And imitators, yeah, speak it
Oh lord, whoever you are
Yeah, come out wherever you are
Oh lord, whoever you are
Yeah, come out wherever you are
And tell 'em
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Born free, born free
Born free, born free
Gaijin Japa
Man made power
Stood like a tower higher
Hi'ya hi'ya hello
And the higher you go
You feel lower oh oh
So I was close to the ants
Staying under cover, staying under cover
With the nose to the ground
I found my sound
Got myself an interview tomara
Got myself a jacket for a dollar
And my nails are chipped
But I'm eager
And car doesn't work so I'm stuck here
I don't wanna live for tomara
I'll push my luck today
I'll throw this in ya face when I see ya
I got somethin' to say
I'll throw this shit in ya face when I see ya
Cause I got somin' to say
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
You might try to find ways to be happier
You might end up somewhere in Ethiopia
You can think big with your idea
You ain't never gonna find utopia
Take a bite out life make it snappier
Ordinary gon' super trippyer
So I check shit cause I'm lippyer
Oh split the cheque like Slovakia
I don't wanna live for tomara
I'll push my luck today
I'll throw this in ya face when I see ya
I got somethin' to say
I'll throw this shit in ya face when I see ya
Cause I got somin' to say
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
I don't wanna talk about money
Cause I got it
I don't want to talk about hoochies
Cause I've been it
And I don't wanna to be that fake
Cause you can do it
And imitators yeah stick it!
Lord who eva' you are
Com out wherever you are
Lord who eva' you are
Com out wherever you are
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
I was born free, born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Bo bo bo born free
Sirvo
It may be violent, but it is MIA's way of showing the genocide against Sri Lankan tamils. This is what happened. I am a Sri Lankan tamil who escaped. I know what it's like. Go on, dislike it all you want, but this is the truth of Sri Lankan genocide against tamils. In fact, it's worse than this. Way worse. Believe me. You don't want to know what it's really like.
zotium
Stay safe bro
jarrett754
@Harold Smith actually you know what’s really interesting is that upon further research literally nothing you list about her ties to criminal syndicates or terrorist organizations holds any merit... she has however funded orphanages and refugee camps with supporter funds from her fanbase. Figured I’d take some extra time to do a little research since you’re throwing around some pretty serious allegations. Do a little serious looking into the people you speak of before attempting to ruin names. It really shows your lack of awareness and education.
jarrett754
@Harold Smith yea how’s all that rage doin for ya bud?
Ben0104
I wanted to know I'm curious
Saakshi Shetty
@Harold Smith you sound real pressed.
sublimestraz
She caught flack for this yet everyone is congratulating childish gambino 8 years later. Not taking away from his art (it's amazing), but I guess people just weren't ready for this conversation back then.
Pter
@DR3D1 How do you even know she lives in Piccadilly?
DR3D1
@Renaud van Egeren Be sure to learn what "virtue-signal" means next time, Renaud. Pointing out virtue-signalling and the hypocrites who dabble in the practice does not make the messenger a virtue-signaller.
DR3D1
@Achbel Those "people of privilege" have little to no clue about anything, full stop. And whenever they virtue-signal, its always for brownie points. There's no sincerity in these losers. These people are not Jack London or Heinrich Heine, who actually gave a shit about the current affairs plaguing the world at the time. Everything they say and type is shallow and lacks anything remotely significant. Unless hypocrisy is a category here, then they are being significant in one area.
Oh and hypocrisy affects all people in the long term, it makes everyone dumber and less capable of discerning bullshit from honest and dedicated practices. Which harms us as a whole and only serves to divide more people than the original problem. Be wary of the influential, not all of them are sincere behind the masks.