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.

Floss
MIA. Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Wär' deine Liebe ein Boot
Ich würde sinken
Wär' deine Liebe ein Floß
ich wär' in Not

Es ist verrückt, Jetzt steh ich hier
Bin ganz allein, wie aus Papier
Ich brenne

Du sagst "vielleicht, kann sein, mal sehen"
Ich denk bei mir, das wäre schön

Du hast mich lieb, Du kommst vorbei
Verschluckst dich am: "Wir sind frei"
Ich brenne, ich brenne, lichterloh

Wär' deine Liebe ein Boot
Ich würde sinken
Wir sind so viele, warum fühl' ich mich allein
Komm doch noch ein Stückchen näher
Ich brauch' die Wärme deines Feuers
Wär' deine Liebe ein Floß
Ich wär' in Seenot
Wär' deine Liebe ein Boot
Ich würd' ertrinken
Wir sind so viele, manchmal fühl' ich mich allein
Rück doch noch ein Stückchen näher
Ich brauch' das Licht deines Feuers
Wär' deine Liebe ein Floß ich wär' in Seenot
Dies ist ein Lied für die Liebe, damit niemand ohne Segel ist

Seht her mein Schmerz ist weiß,
Ich brenne, lichterloh

Wär' deine Liebe ein Boot
Ich würde sinken
Wir sind so viele, warum fühl' ich mich allein
Komm doch noch ein Stückchen näher
Ich brauch' die Wärme deines Feuers
Seht her mein Schmerz ist weiß,
Ich brenne, ich brenne, lichterloh

Dies ist ein Lied für die Liebe, damit niemand ohne ist.

Overall Meaning

In "Floss," MIA. addresses the complicated and often painful nature of relationships. The song is a lyrical exploration of the feelings of loneliness and isolation that can manifest even when surrounded by others. In the first verse, MIA. asks a rhetorical question, stating that if love were a boat, she would sink because it feels overwhelming. If love were just a raft, she would still be in trouble, but she would still need it to survive. She then goes on to describe the ups and downs of her relationship with her partner, saying that while she loves him and yearns for his closeness and warmth, she often feels alone and disconnected.

Line by Line Meaning

Wär' deine Liebe ein Boot
If your love were a boat, I would sink

Ich würde sinken
I would drown

Wär' deine Liebe ein Floß
If your love were a raft

ich wär' in Not
I would be in distress

Es ist verrückt, Jetzt steh ich hier
It's crazy, now I'm standing here

Bin ganz allein, wie aus Papier
Completely alone, like paper

Ich brenne
I'm burning

Du sagst "vielleicht, kann sein, mal sehen"
You say "maybe, could be, we'll see"

Ich denk bei mir, das wäre schön
I think to myself, that would be nice

Du hast mich lieb, Du kommst vorbei
You love me, you come by

Verschluckst dich am: "Wir sind frei"
You stumble over "we are free"