Mathangi “Maya” Arulpragasam also known as M.I.A., (born 18 July 1975 in Ho… Read Full Bio ↴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 Tamil 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.

World Town
M.I.A. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

A ni ni ni ni
A ni ni ni ni
A ni ni ni ni
A ni ni ni ni

Sick of all the shit that's keeping me down
If your dead from the waist down
It's easy staying down

I never thought about it twice
But you do pay the price
It ain't your weekly cash
That feeds my mum the rice

Yo, don't be calling me desperate
When I'm knocking on the door
Every wall you build
I'll knock it down to the floor

See me see me bubbling quietly
See me see me acting like you ain't met me
See me see me bubbling quietly
See me see me acting like you ain't met me

Hands up! (a ni ni ni ni)
Guns out! (a ni ni ni ni)
Represent (a ni ni ni ni)
The world town (a ni ni ni ni)[2x]

Hands up!
Guns out!
Represent
The world town,
Represent The world town[2x]

Look at what you did, you done it before
Every little dollar just keeps me down more
I never had you on my side, bubbling on my side
Why they tell me different when they make me explodified

Yo, don't be calling me desperate
When I'm knocking on the door
Every wall you build
I'll knock it down to the floor

See me see me bubbling quietly
See me see me acting like you ain't met me
See me see me bubbling quietly
See me see me acting like you ain't met me[2x]

Hands up! (a ni ni ni ni)
Guns out! (a ni ni ni ni)
Represent (a ni ni ni ni)
The world town (a ni ni ni ni)[2x]

Hands up!
Guns out!
Represent
The world town, Represent The World Town, Represent The World

Hands up! (a ni ni ni ni)
Guns out! (a ni ni ni ni)
Represent (a ni ni ni ni)
The world town (a ni ni ni ni)[2x]
Hands up! (a ni ni ni ni)
Guns out! (a ni ni ni ni)
Represent (a ni ni ni ni)
The world town (a ni ni ni ni)[2x]

Hands up!
Guns out!
Represent
The world town, Represent The World Town, Represent The World ,Represent The World

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of M.I.A.'s song Worldtown are centered around the idea of rising up against oppressive forces and fighting for a better future. The repeated refrain of "Hands up! Guns out! Represent The World Town" serves as a call to action for people to come together and rise up against the systems that hold them down. M.I.A. acknowledges the difficulty in this - "Sick of all the shit that's keeping me down / If you're dead from the waist down, it's easy staying down" - but asserts that it's worth fighting for a better life.

The lyrics also touch on the idea of being misunderstood and underestimated - "See me see me bubbling quietly / See me see me acting like you ain't met me" - and the frustration that comes with it. M.I.A. refuses to be seen as desperate even as she knocks down every wall that's built in her way. She acknowledges the impact of money on her life, but makes it clear that it's not just about the cash - "It ain't your weekly cash that feeds my mum the rice."

Overall, M.I.A.'s Worldtown is a powerful call to action for people to rise up against oppression and fight for a better future, even if it means knocking down walls and being underestimated along the way.

Line by Line Meaning

A ni ni ni ni
Repetitive vocalization with no coherent meaning

Sick of all the shit that's keeping me down
Tired of the obstacles that prevent progress

If your dead from the waist down It's easy staying down
If you're unfeeling and not motivated, it's easy to give up

I never thought about it twice But you do pay the price
Not thinking through actions can lead to negative consequences

It ain't your weekly cash That feeds my mum the rice
Financial support is necessary for survival

Yo, don't be calling me desperate When I'm knocking on the door Every wall you build I'll knock it down to the floor
Don't dismiss my determination and persistence in overcoming obstacles

See me see me bubbling quietly See me see me acting like you ain't met me
Notice my ambition and hard work that may go unnoticed by others

Hands up! (a ni ni ni ni) Guns out! (a ni ni ni ni) Represent (a ni ni ni ni) The world town (a ni ni ni ni)[2x] Hands up! Guns out! Represent The world town, Represent The world town[2x]
Showing pride and solidarity for one's global community

See me see me bubbling quietly See me see me acting like you ain't met me[2x]
Reinforcing the idea that hard work and determination should be recognized and appreciated

Hands up! (a ni ni ni ni) Guns out! (a ni ni ni ni) Represent (a ni ni ni ni) The world town (a ni ni ni ni)[2x] Hands up! Guns out! Represent The world town, Represent The World Town, Represent The World
Emphasizing the need for global solidarity and support for one another

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVE TAYLOR, WRITER UNKNOWN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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