There are five known artists under this name:

1. Mathangi “Maya” Ar… Read Full Bio ↴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. “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).

Just A Dream
M.I.A. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

She's another victim of life
We've come to know
Technology, celebrity
All the things you cannot hold
She's from a long lost tribe
Looking for the light
Or a friend to hold her hand
She's doing the best she can

Seems that everyone we know is
Out there waiting by a phone
Wondering why they feel alone
In this life

Are we all just satellites?
Where's the love? Show me tonight
Here's the moment we unite
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

For all we know life's just a dream
Who the hell knows what it means?
Stop the world and song with me
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

All her memories have been
Experienced through
High speed on a video screen
That's all she ever knew
Did you know none of it's real
If you can't feel
The beating of someone's heart

Don't leave yourself in the dark

Seems that every one we know is
Out there waiting by a phone
Wondering why they feel alone
In this life

Are we all just satellites?
Where's the love? Show me tonight
Here's the moment we unite
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

For all we know life's just a dream
What the hell knows what it means?
Stop the world and sing with me
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

Are we satellites?
Are we satellites?

Are we all just satellites?
Where's the love? Show me tonight?
Here's the moment we unite
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

For all we know life's just a dream
What the hell knows what it means?
Stop the world and sing with me
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

Are we all just satellites?
Where's the love? Show me tonight?
Here's the moment we unite
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

For all we know life's just a dream
What the hell knows what it means?

Stop the world and sing with me
Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh

Overall Meaning

M.I.A.'s song "Just a Dream" speaks to the isolation and disconnection that people can feel in a world where technology and celebrity dominate our attention. The song's protagonist is a young woman who feels alienated from the world around her, searching for meaningful connections and the genuine experience of feelings. M.I.A. suggests that the virtual world of screens and images cannot replace the human touch of physical presence, and that we are all satellites, floating disconnected in space unless we can find the love and unity that we seek.

The song's lyrics are powerful in their simplicity, conveying a sense of melancholy and longing that is underscored by the hypnotic rhythms and catchy melody. M.I.A. questions whether life itself may just be a dream, reminding us that the meaning of existence is elusive and uncertain. The chorus invites listeners to join in a call for connection and solidarity, as M.I.A. urges us to stop the world and sing with her.

Overall, M.I.A.'s "Just a Dream" speaks to the universal human experience of searching for meaning and connection in an increasingly complex and fragmented world. The song's message is a reminder that, despite the many screens and devices that surround us, what we ultimately crave is the warmth and touch of genuine human connection.

Line by Line Meaning

She's another victim of life We've come to know Technology, celebrity All the things you cannot hold
She is just like anyone else who has experienced the ups and downs of life, living in a society that is obsessed with technology and celebrity culture that holds little real value.

She's from a long lost tribe Looking for the light Or a friend to hold her hand She's doing the best she can
She is searching for a sense of belonging and purpose, hoping to find some guidance or support from those around her.

Seems that everyone we know is Out there waiting by a phone Wondering why they feel alone In this life
Many people are consumed by technology and spend their time isolated, waiting for virtual connections that only add to their sense of loneliness.

Are we all just satellites? Where's the love? Show me tonight Here's the moment we unite Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh
Are we all just disconnected beings orbiting around each other, or can we come together to find love and a sense of unity in the present moment?

For all we know life's just a dream Who the hell knows what it means? Stop the world and song with me Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh
Life may feel like an illusion that we cannot understand, but we can still pause the chaos and find moments of joy and harmony if we choose to sing together.

All her memories have been Experienced through High speed on a video screen That's all she ever knew Did you know none of it's real If you can't feel The beating of someone's heart
Her experiences have been limited to digital screens, but true connection requires the ability to feel the emotions and energy of another person.

Don't leave yourself in the dark
Do not keep yourself isolated from the world and its potential for connection and growth.

For all we know life's just a dream What the hell knows what it means? Stop the world and sing with me Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh
Life may feel like an illusion that we cannot understand, but we can still pause the chaos and find moments of joy and harmony if we choose to sing together.

Are we all just satellites? Where's the love? Show me tonight? Here's the moment we unite Ooh-ooh-oh ooh-ooh-oh-oh
Are we all just disconnected beings orbiting around each other, or can we come together to find love and a sense of unity in the present moment?

Contributed by Noah M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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