MIA
M.I.A. Lyrics


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You can watch TV and watch the media
President Bush doing takeover
Kate Moss in ads for mascara
All my youth the young offender
The bill payers, the drug dealers
Girls who are magazine covers
The part-time jobbers at the call center
No career plans cause you won't go far
Put away change for Ibiza and
Check your credit on your new Nokia

You can be a follower but who's your leader?
Break the cycle or it will kill ya
Break the cycle or it will kill ya
You leader, you lead, uh, do what you do
What really good's gonna happen to you?
What really good's gonna happen to you?

Your prime minister to your employer
Ego lovers need more power
Trendsetters make things better
Don't sell out to be product pushers
The gyro casher and baby makers
Try something new cause it ain't over
All poor people from all over
Lottery's got a rollover

You can be a follower but who's your leader?
Break the cycle or it will kill ya
Break the cycle or it will kill ya

Cherokee Indian, Iraqi and Indians
Girls and me girls when they come to the fellas and
Japanese, Moroccan, Caribbean, African
That's your life but who the fuck's your president?
You don't get my life cause I don't have a side and I
Spread dat boy 'I'm a mile wide and I
Got brown skin, I'm a west Londoner
Educated, but a refugee, still.




You wanna boy, you're old, you go
You wanna fight, you suck, you blow

Overall Meaning

M.I.A.'s song "MIA" is a politically charged, introspective look at society's different socio-economic classes and the struggles they face. Through its lyrics, the song touches on topics such as society's obsession with media, classism, inequalities, and social mobility.


One interpretation of "MIA" is that it points out the superficiality of consumerism and capitalist ideology. The opening lines talk about watching TV and the media, which implies that people are preoccupied with the constant barrage of ads and images that occupy our screens. The reference to President Bush doing a takeover could also be a commentary on the government's role in reinforcing capitalist systems that benefit the wealthy at the expense of the poor.


The song also highlights the disparities between different classes of people, from the young offender to the drug dealer, to magazine cover girls and call center workers. The lyrics suggest that there is no real social mobility for many people, as they have no career plans and may only aspire to save up enough money for a holiday in Ibiza.


One of the main themes of "MIA" is the call to break the cycle of inequality and to find true leadership. The chorus repeats the lines "Break the cycle or it will kill ya" and asks the listener who their leader is. The song implies that simply following trends or emulating celebrities is not enough; true leadership comes from those who challenge the status quo and seek to make things better for everyone.


Overall, "MIA" is a powerful critique of the inequalities and injustices present in capitalist society. Through its lyrics, the song calls for introspection and change, urging listeners to break free from the cycle of inequality and find true leadership.


Line by Line Meaning

You can watch TV and watch the media
You're constantly exposed to the media, whether you're watching TV or social media.


President Bush doing takeover
The powerful are continuing to exert their control over the masses, like President Bush.


Kate Moss in ads for mascara
Even supermodels like Kate Moss are paid to promote products and influence young people.


All my youth the young offender
Many young people get into trouble with the law during their formative years.


The bill payers, the drug dealers
People from all walks of life, including those who pay their bills and those who sell drugs, are affected by the societal issues described in the song.


Girls who are magazine covers
Even young women who are idolized on magazine covers are pressured to conform to society's standards for beauty and behavior.


The part-time jobbers at the call center
People with menial jobs like working at call centers are no less important than those with high-paying jobs.


No career plans cause you won't go far
Without the right opportunities and resources, it's difficult for some people to have a clear career path and make progress.


Put away change for Ibiza and
Working-class people may save up for vacations or other luxuries that are only accessible to the wealthy.


Check your credit on your new Nokia
Even people with limited means can have access to digital technologies like a Nokia phone to help them manage their finances.


You can be a follower but who's your leader?
It's important to be conscious of the people and ideas that are shaping your worldview and influencing your choices.


Break the cycle or it will kill ya
The societal issues that the song describes are cyclical, and they can be relentless and destructive if they are not addressed.


Your prime minister to your employer
People in positions of power, from politicians to bosses, can exert a lot of influence over individuals and society as a whole.


Ego lovers need more power
Some people are driven by their ego and desire for power and control.


Trendsetters make things better
In some cases, people who are pioneering new ideas or trends can lead to positive change and progress.


Don't sell out to be product pushers
It's important to resist the temptation to prioritize financial gain over personal values and morals.


The gyro casher and baby makers
People with common day jobs and aspirations, such as owning a gyro shop or starting a family, are still affected by societal cycles and pressures.


Try something new cause it ain't over
It's important to be open to new experiences and perspectives to create change and growth.


All poor people from all over
Poverty is a widespread issue that affects people from all corners of society.


Lottery's got a rollover
For some people, the lottery can seem like a solution to their problems, but it's unlikely to lead to significant change or progress.


Cherokee Indian, Iraqi and Indians
People from different cultural backgrounds are all affected by societal issues and influenced by the same forces.


Girls and me girls when they come to the fellas and
Young women are often influenced by societal expectations and coerced into relationships and sexual situations.


Japanese, Moroccan, Caribbean, African
People from all corners of the world are affected by societal issues and can relate to the message of the song.


That's your life but who the fuck's your president?
Individuals have their own unique experiences and perspectives that shape their worldview, and their personal identity is often distinct from larger societal issues like politics.


You don't get my life cause I don't have a side and I
Some people may not want to be defined or pigeonholed by their identity, and that's okay.


Spread dat boy 'I'm a mile wide and I
The singer wants to be seen as multifaceted and distinct from stereotypes or labels placed on them based on societal expectations.


Got brown skin, I'm a west Londoner
The singer identifies with their racial and geographic identity, but these labels don't define or limit them.


Educated, but a refugee, still.
The artist's education and refugee status illustrate the challenges that some people face in society and the potential for barriers to be overcome with hard work and resilience.


You wanna boy, you're old, you go
Societal expectations and attitudes towards gender and aging can be limiting and oppressive.


You wanna fight, you suck, you blow
Violence and aggression are never the solution to societal issues, and may only exacerbate them.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: MATHANGI ARULPRAGASAM, JUSTINE FRISCHMANN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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