MIA. (alternate spelling: Mia.) is a German rock/pop band from Berlin.
<… Read Full Bio ↴MIA. (alternate spelling: Mia.) is a German rock/pop band from Berlin.

MIA. originally formed in 1997 when TV host Sarah Kuttner introduced schoolmates Mieze and Andy Ross to Robert Schütze and Ingo Puls. They took on Hannes Schulze as drummer and one year later the band, then called Me in Affairs signed a contract with independent music label R.O.T. - Respect or Tolerate. They soon abbreviated their band name to MIA., but now claim the letters do no longer stand just for Me in Affairs, but also for things like "Musik ist Alles" ("Music is everything") and that there is no such thing as a "correct" translation of their name.

In 1999 the band released its first single "Sugar My Skin" on major label BMG, but due to artistical differences the members soon asked to be released from that contract. In 2001 they followed up with their second single Factory City via Sony Music. At the same time Gunnar Spies replaced Hannes Schulze, who had left the group due to private reasons. Afterwards MIA. released their debut album Hieb und Stichfest, which saw moderate success in Germany.

2003 saw the band being heavily criticized for their song Was es ist, released on an EP of the same title. The lyrics featured romantic references to Germany and the colors of the German flag, topics that due to Germany's violent history, many political leftists are uncomfortable with. MIA. claim the song meant to provoke a discussion about Germany as a home and as a place to change and design. Furthermore, they consider themselves politically on the left.

In 2004 the band went on with its second album Stille Post. The longplayer spwaned three singles, including Hungriges Herz, which was chosen for the German pre-selection of the Eurovision Song Contest and reached #24 on the official Singles Chart. The album simultaneously peaked at #13 on the Album 100 and was eventually certified with gold.

Lately MIA. released their single Tanz Der Moleküle, which entered the German charts at #19 to become the band's most succesful single so far. Their third album Zirkus was released July 21, 2006. It reached #2 on the Album Top 100 and is the most successful album so far. 4 more singles were released

In 2008 MIA. released the first single of their new album Willkommen im Club, coming up September 5, 2008, Mein Freund, which reached #15 on the Single Top 100, becoming the new band's most succesful single.

Ökostrom
MIA. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Ich bin heut morgen aufgewacht
Was hab ich seitdem alles falsch gemacht?
Eine Stimme aus dem Radio
Sagt heute wär sie gar nicht froh
Das wir auf fremde Kosten glücklich sind
Ich seh mich um und glaub dass es stimmt
Klebt an meinem Kaffee Blut?
Schmeckt er deshalb nur halb so gut?

Dann geh ich auf die Strasse und das tut weh
Weil ich statt einem Lächeln nur leere Gesichter seh

Ich bin gerad aufgewacht
Hab meine Augen aufgemacht
Für einen ersten Schritt ist es nie zu spät!
Ich habe angefangen
Ich hab jetzt Ökostrom
Ich will mein Leben, weil es sonst ein andrer lebt

Ich ärger mich, es ist zum schreien
Ich tret von einem Fettnapf in den nächsten rein
Wer trug mein Make-up zuerst?
Wer findet Tiertests nicht verkehrt?
Wo fließt das viele Wasser hin
Während ich noch am Zähneputzen bin?
Ist meine Jeans auch p.c.?
Wer gibt mir dafür eine Garantie?

Dann steig ich in die Bahn und das tut weh
Ich seh das ich was ändern kann und das ich auch was ändern will

Ich bin gerad aufgewacht
Hab meine Augen aufgemacht
Für einen ersten Schritt ist es nie zu spät!
Ich habe angefangen
Ich hab jetzt Ökostrom
Ich will mein Leben, weil es sonst ein andrer lebt

Es ist nie zu spät!

Overall Meaning

In "Ökostrom," MIA. addresses the concept of personal responsibility in regards to the impact of our actions on the environment and society as a whole. The song begins with the singer waking up and reflecting on the ways in which they may have contributed to the problems in the world, as heard through a radio broadcast. They question whether their coffee is ethically sourced and whether their jeans were made sustainably. The singer then goes out into the world and feels the weight of the disconnection they see in others around them, as well as their own lack of action in the face of these issues.

Despite this, the chorus is a call to action. The singer declares that they have begun to take steps towards sustainability and that they want to live their life in a way that does not harm others. The repetition of the phrase "Ich hab jetzt Ökostrom" reinforces this commitment towards environmentally conscious living, and the song ends on the hopeful message that it's never too late to start making a change.

Overall, "Ökostrom" is a socially aware pop song that encourages listeners to consider the impact of their actions on the world and take small steps towards living a more sustainable life. Through its relatable lyrics and catchy chorus, it delivers a powerful message that the individual actions of many can lead to positive change.

Line by Line Meaning

Ich bin heut morgen aufgewacht
The singer has just woken up and is reflecting on their choices and actions so far.

Was hab ich seitdem alles falsch gemacht?
The singer wonders if they have made mistakes and if they have contributed to the world's problems.

Eine Stimme aus dem Radio
The singer hears a voice on the radio.

Sagt heute wär sie gar nicht froh
The voice on the radio expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs.

Das wir auf fremde Kosten glücklich sind
The artist understands that they are living happily at the expense of others.

Ich seh mich um und glaub dass es stimmt
The singer looks around and realizes that the voice on the radio is right.

Klebt an meinem Kaffee Blut?
The singer wonders if their coffee was produced through exploitative means.

Schmeckt er deshalb nur halb so gut?
The artist questions if the negative implications of their actions have affected their enjoyment of life.

Dann geh ich auf die Strasse und das tut weh
The artist goes outside and is distressed by the apathy and lack of action in the world around them.

Weil ich statt einem Lächeln nur leere Gesichter seh
Instead of seeing happy faces, the artist only sees indifferent or sad faces, which adds to their distress.

Ich bin gerad aufgewacht
The singer reiterates that they are now awake to the problems around them.

Hab meine Augen aufgemacht
The artist has opened their eyes to the world around them and is ready to take action.

Für einen ersten Schritt ist es nie zu spät!
The singer encourages others that it's never too late to make positive changes.

Ich habe angefangen
The singer has started making changes in their own life, leading by example.

Ich hab jetzt Ökostrom
The singer has switched to using renewable energy sources.

Ich will mein Leben, weil es sonst ein andrer lebt
The artist wants to live a more responsible life because they don't want to harm others or leave a negative impact on the world.

Es ist nie zu spät!
The artist reiterates that anyone can make changes at any time.

Ich ärger mich, es ist zum schreien
The singer is frustrated and angry about their past mistakes and the state of the world.

Ich tret von einem Fettnapf in den nächsten rein
The singer feels like they keep making mistakes and getting themselves into trouble.

Wer trug mein Make-up zuerst?
The artist is questioning the ethics behind their personal beauty choices, such as wearing makeup.

Wer findet Tiertests nicht verkehrt?
The artist is questioning the morality of animal testing and whether or not it's necessary.

Wo fließt das viele Wasser hin
The artist is wondering where all the water they use goes and if it's being wasted or utilized sustainably.

Während ich noch am Zähneputzen bin?
The singer is questioning if their simple daily habits like brushing their teeth are contributing to large-scale issues.

Ist meine Jeans auch p.c.?
The artist is questioning the social and environmental ethics behind their fashion choices, such as their jeans.

Wer gibt mir dafür eine Garantie?
The singer is questioning if they can truly trust the source of their clothing and whether or not it's ethical to purchase things without knowing their origin.

Dann steig ich in die Bahn und das tut weh
The singer rides public transportation and is pained by the realization that even small changes can make a difference.

Ich seh das ich was ändern kann und das ich auch was ändern will
The singer realizes that they can make changes and that they want to make changes to live a more sustainable and responsible lifestyle.

Contributed by Hailey N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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