Paper Planes
M.I.A. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
If you come around here, I make 'em all day
I get one down in a second if you wait
I fly like paper, get high like planes
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
If you come around here, I make 'em all dayI get one down in a second if you wait
Sometimes I think sitting on trains
Every stop I get to, I'm clocking that game
Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame
Bona fide hustler making my name
Sometimes I think sitting on trains
Every stop I get to I'm clocking that game
Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame
Bona fide hustler making my name
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
Pirate skulls and bones
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
Running when we hit 'em
Lethal poison for the system
Pirate skulls and bones
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
Running when we hit 'em
Lethal poison for the system
No one on the corner has swag like us
Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
Already going hard, just pumping that gas
No one on the corner has swag like us
Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
Already going hard, just pumping that gas
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
M.I.A.
Third world democracy
Yeah, I got more records than the K.G.B.
So, uh, no funny business
(Are you already high?)
Some, some, some, I, some I murder
Some, I, some I let go
Some, some, some, I, some I murder
Some, I, some I let go
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
The song Paper Planes by M.I.A. is a commentary on immigration and the experiences of those who cross borders in search of a better life. The repeated refrain "I fly like paper, get high like planes" is a play on words that simultaneously references airplanes and the fragility of documentation. The lines "If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name" and "Pirate skulls and bones, sticks and stones and weed and bongs, running when we hit 'em, lethal poison for the system" allude to the struggles that immigrants face as they try to navigate the legal and social systems of their new countries. The line "No one on the corner has swag like us, hit me on my burner prepaid wireless" acknowledges the resourcefulness and ingenuity of immigrants in the face of adversity.
Line by Line Meaning
I fly like paper, get high like planes
I may be light and fragile like paper, but I soar high like planes
If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name
I have a lot of documentation and permits to navigate through borders
If you come around here, I make 'em all day
If you're looking for me around here, I'm constantly producing something
I get one down in a second if you wait
I can produce something in a really short time if you give me a chance
Sometimes I think sitting on trains
At times, I introspect while traveling in trains
Every stop I get to, I'm clocking that game
At each stop, I'm keenly observing and learning from my surroundings
Everyone's a winner, we're making our fame
We're all finding success and recognition in our own way
Bona fide hustler making my name
I'm truly dedicated and working hard to establish my name
All I wanna do is
And then
And take your money
My ultimate goal is to create something valuable and profitable
Pirate skulls and bones
The dark and edgy aspects of our society
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
People using harmful and addictive substances to cope with their lives
Running when we hit 'em
Others avoid or fear us when we confront them
Lethal poison for the system
Our actions and ways of life may be harmful for society in the long run
No one on the corner has swag like us
We're unique and stylish, and no one else has what we have
Hit me on my burner prepaid wireless
Reach me through my untraceable phone number
We pack and deliver like UPS trucks
We're efficient and fast, like a professional delivery service
Already going hard, just pumping that gas
We're already working hard and pushing ourselves, like fueling up a car
M.I.A.
The artist introducing herself
Third world democracy
My music represents the struggles and conflicts of the developing world
Yeah, I got more records than the K.G.B.
I have more music records than even the notorious Soviet intelligence agency
So, uh, no funny business
Let's keep things serious and professional
(Are you already high?)
Asking if the listener is already enjoying the music
Some, some, some, I, some I murder
Some, I, some I let go
Sometimes I create and destroy, other times I create and let go
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Unison Rights S.L., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: John Mellor, Mathangi Maya Arulpragasam, Michael Jones, Nicholas Headon, Paul Simonon, Thomas Wesley Pentz
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@sydthelame
back when literally nobody knew the name to this song but it was still everywhere
@lewis4907
Bruh I searched song with cash register sound and gun sound 💀
@showakoi
I had an epic uncle who cultured this teen in music and I dont regret a thing
@cronavil4418
Yoooo ong
@tedsr2391
We knew its name and who sang ,it, sorry you didn’t get the “memo”
@sydthelame
Ted Sr2 ...no i was just a child around 7 who only knew the song from listening to it in the backseat of my moms car
@thesoccertrotter1
This song was ahead of it's time. Song could come out tomorrow and be a hit
@aapelikeilamaa9523
The music industry hasn't changed that much in 10 years.... Nor have the likes of people changed, You could release fortunate son now and it'd still be a hit...
@Max_Le_Groom
Still, why don't we hear anything from her nowadays?
@Max_Le_Groom
@@aapelikeilamaa9523
It's sad though, her sound was really unique from basically EVERYONE else, now every single new song sounds the same but she always manages to sound unique each time, at least that's how I see it