MARSHA/BRITNEY
M.I.A. Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've got imitators, haters and some psychos
but what I hate most is bitches who are fame hoes
seen them at the party posting for photos
She don't think about the world past painting toes
This girl is been doing rounds at the local mall
elevated ??? of doing dudes in rock and roll
pretty face character deadly like a ..
she always claims she's part native Navajo
He's kinda isn't dressed from head to toe in black
His stylish straight whack off a magazine rack
Buy it post link it spread it ready and read it
You're always on my space coz you need phone credit

You wanna be the next big thing, "it" thing
Do anything.... but you can't sing

Hey Marsha!
What'd you do yesterday?
Coz when I read the blog story
Don't add up to what you told me
Hey Marsha!
What'd you do yesterday?
What I read on your blog story
Don't add up to what you told me

You want to be a model for American Apparel
It's apparent that yourself is way dumber than Cowell
You want high fashion so you worked at Fashion High
Cocaine kept you talking most of it a fucking lie
???
Your shoes could feed a village
You should think about that
Facebook face facts can you know that
Bla bla bla bla bla .. girl you should post that

Hey Marsha!
What'd you do yesterday?
What I read on your blog story
Don't add up to what you told me
Hey Marsha!
What'd you do yesterday?




What I read on your blog story
Don't add up to what you told me

Overall Meaning

The song "MARSHA/BRITNEY" by M.I.A. is a critique of fame culture and the people who chase it, particularly those who use social media as a platform for self-promotion. The lyrics describe the artist's disdain for individuals who seek attention and validation through their online personas, depicting them as shallow, dishonest, and ultimately unworthy of the fame they covet. M.I.A. sings of "bitches who are fame hoes" and "imitators, haters and some psychos" who are only interested in using their appearances and social connections to gain notoriety, rather than making meaningful contributions to society or engaging with the world around them.


The song also references specific figures in popular culture, including Marsha and Britney, who are portrayed as embodiments of the fame-seeking mentality that M.I.A. seeks to critique. Marsha is depicted as a liar who posts misleading stories on her blog, while Britney is mentioned in passing as someone who represents the ultimate iconic figure in modern pop culture.


Ultimately, "MARSHA/BRITNEY" is a scathing commentary on the ways in which social media and other digital platforms have facilitated the rise of a culture that values fame and personal brand-building over genuine creativity or thoughtfulness. By skewering the values and motivations of those who seek to achieve viral success through shallow means, M.I.A. encourages listeners to move beyond the glitter and glamour of fame and focus instead on building meaningful connections and contributing to society in more substantive and grounded ways.


Line by Line Meaning

I've got imitators, haters and some psychos
There are people who copy me, hate me, and become unstable around me.


but what I hate most is bitches who are fame hoes
I have a strong disdain for women who prioritize fame over everything else.


seen them at the party posting for photos
I have witnessed these women at gatherings trying to take pictures and show off for attention.


She don't think about the world past painting toes
These women only care about superficial things and lack concern for anything beyond that.


This girl is been doing rounds at the local mall
One of these women has been frequenting the mall to try and garner attention and admiration.


elevated ??? of doing dudes in rock and roll
She enjoys engaging in casual sexual encounters with musicians in the rock and roll scene.


pretty face character deadly like a ..
Even though she appears attractive, her personality and behavior can be dangerous and harmful to others.


she always claims she's part native Navajo
This woman often brags about her Native American heritage, specifically that she is part Navajo.


He's kinda isn't dressed from head to toe in black
This man is not adhering to the typical fashion style of dressing entirely in black.


His stylish straight whack off a magazine rack
Even though he seems fashionable, his style is unoriginal and lacks creativity.


Buy it post link it spread it ready and read it
People are quick to buy and share things online without much thought or consideration.


You're always on my space coz you need phone credit
You are constantly on social media, possibly in need of phone credit or attention from others.


You wanna be the next big thing, "it" thing
You aspire to become the next big cultural phenomenon or trend.


Do anything.... but you can't sing
You are willing to try anything to gain fame, except for honing your actual singing abilities.


Hey Marsha!
Addressing a woman named Marsha.


What'd you do yesterday?
Asking Marsha what her activities were the previous day.


Coz when I read the blog story
Referring to a story that Marsha posted on her blog.


Don't add up to what you told me
There are inconsistencies in Marsha's story that don't make sense.


You want to be a model for American Apparel
Marsha desires to become a model for a specific clothing company.


It's apparent that yourself is way dumber than Cowell
It is clear that Marsha is not intelligent or talented, even compared to Simon Cowell who is often seen as critical and harsh.


You want high fashion so you worked at Fashion High
Marsha worked at a high school named Fashion High likely due to her desire to be around fashion.


Cocaine kept you talking most of it a fucking lie
Marsha uses cocaine and this drug is likely the reason she tells lies and exaggerates the truth.


???
The meaning of this line is unclear due to missing or unintelligible lyrics.


Your shoes could feed a village
Marsha owns many expensive shoes that could cost a significant amount of money and be used to help those in need.


You should think about that
Encouraging Marsha to consider the implications of her actions and possessions.


Facebook face facts can you know that
On Facebook, people often only present a certain part of themselves and hide things that don't fit their desired image.


Bla bla bla bla bla .. girl you should post that
Suggesting that Marsha continues to spout empty words and post meaningless things online.




Contributed by Avery N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

toddiot

hoping for a full version of this track on m.i.a.'s next album just like bad girls!

regan garizurieta

thank you MIA for being an artist

Steph Ler

SHOTS FIRED

stranger dangerMR

sounds awesiome

Frankie Smith

I am pretty convinced this was about Perez Hilton. It speaks exactly of his career arc. now that he is a nobody it doesnt matter.

Hester Grant

@pablodaypig people could argue that marsha ambrosius works hard 2 and i never said m.i.a. was stupid or ugly and I agree with most of the stuff m.i.a. says. I just find this song a little bit hypercritical that's all

Baby Ethernet

Can you upload "Super Tight," please? :D

BUNI FER

i'm always wondering who she's talking about in this song. so many "marsha's" out there it's kinda hard to keep track ;-)

KapsTheLocks

@KAHLUT I agree with you that the allegations aren't at all relevant for the importance of WikiLeaks (or to Vickie Leekx for that matter). However, there's still lots internetters out there who can't seem able to separate between WL and the allegations and as a consequence start saying things like "its pretty obvious the allegations are a load of shite anyway". So yeah, thanks anyway...

maryjaney

Does anyone know who she is touring with this year?

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