<… 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.
Oder nicht oder doch
MIA. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ich geh zu spät schlafen um zu früh aufzustehen - viel zu früh.
Mir ist schon ganz schwindlig, weil mich alles um uns dreht.
Wie soll ich sagen - jede Hilfe längst zu spät.
Oje, mein Telefon klingelt, was für ein Tag.
Ich denk andauernd an dich.
Möglicherweise stehen wir heut nacht im Dunkeln.
Ein Sturm hat alles weggefegt,
ich weiß nur nicht zu sagen,
will ich weiter?
Das Für und Wider blendet mich,
spring ich ins kalte Wasser oder nicht oder doch?
Und du machst weiter.
Eine Handbewegung, Haut weiss wie Mondenstein.
Nichts ist nur Hülle, bitte komm nochmal so dicht.
Ich muss noch Emails checken, was ist heut für ein Tag?
In mir reiben sich tausend Sachen.
Möglicherweise erzählst du schon deinen Freunden,
was dann wohl möglich ist.
Dein Sturm hat alles weggefegt.
Ich werds dir einfach sagen:
Ich will weiter.
Wir haben ein ganz komisches Talent,
warten auf den richtigen Moment. Oh, tun wir doch.
Komm lass uns weiter.
Oder nicht (weiter)
oder doch (weiter, weiter)
oder nicht
oder doch...
Unsere Hände suchen heimlich ihren Weg
wie schon seit ein paar Tagen.
Heut woll'n sie weiter.
Finden wir heraus, was moglich ist.
Bleib ein hoffnungsloser Optimist. Aber doch.
Komm lass uns weiter.
Dein Sturm hat alles weggefegt.
Ich werds es einfach wagen:
Ich will weiter.
Das Für und Wider endet nicht,
spring ins kalte Wasser, trau mich nicht, trau mich doch.
Komm lass uns weiter.
The lyrics to MIA.'s song "Oder nicht oder doch" express the struggle of indecision and uncertainty in a relationship, while also acknowledging the beauty and joy in the moments shared with the other person. The singer is torn between wanting to continue with the relationship or letting it go, as evidenced by the repetition of "oder nicht oder doch" (or not or yes). The first verse shows the singer feeling dizzy and disoriented, surrounded by chaos, and unsure of how to proceed. They mention a possible meeting in the dark, hinting at a clandestine or forbidden nature to the relationship. In the second verse, the singer is distracted by technology and inner turmoil, wondering if the other person is sharing their secrets with friends. However, they remain hopeful and optimistic, willing to continue exploring the connection, and willing to risk jumping into the unknown.
Overall, the song speaks to the universal experience of struggling with decisions in relationships, and the fear and excitement that comes with taking risks and being vulnerable. The poetic language and catchy beat of the song make it a memorable and relatable anthem for anyone grappling with similar emotions.
Line by Line Meaning
So geht's nicht weiter, dabei ist es doch grade schön.
Things can't go on like this, even though things seem fine.
Ich geh zu spät schlafen um zu früh aufzustehen - viel zu früh.
I go to bed too late to wake up too early - much too early.
Mir ist schon ganz schwindlig, weil mich alles um uns dreht.
I'm already dizzy because everything revolves around us.
Wie soll ich sagen - jede Hilfe längst zu spät.
How do I say it - every help is already too late.
Oje, mein Telefon klingelt, was für ein Tag.
Oh no, my phone is ringing, what kind of day.
Ich denk andauernd an dich.
I'm constantly thinking about you.
Möglicherweise stehen wir heut nacht im Dunkeln.
Maybe we'll be in the dark tonight.
Was dann wohl möglich ist?
What's then possibly possible?
Ein Sturm hat alles weggefegt,
A storm has swept everything away,
ich weiß nur nicht zu sagen,
I just don't know what to say,
will ich weiter?
Do I want to keep going?
Das Für und Wider blendet mich,
The pros and cons are blinding me,
spring ich ins kalte Wasser oder nicht oder doch?
Do I take the plunge or not?
Und du machst weiter.
And you keep going.
Eine Handbewegung, Haut weiss wie Mondenstein.
A hand gesture, skin as white as moonstone.
Nichts ist nur Hülle, bitte komm nochmal so dicht.
Nothing is just a shell, please come closer again.
Ich muss noch Emails checken, was ist heut für ein Tag?
I still have to check emails, what kind of day is it?
In mir reiben sich tausend Sachen.
A thousand things are rubbing against me.
Möglicherweise erzählst du schon deinen Freunden,
Maybe you're already telling your friends,
was dann wohl möglich ist.
What could possibly happen then.
Dein Sturm hat alles weggefegt.
Your storm has swept everything away.
Ich werds dir einfach sagen:
I'll just tell you:
Ich will weiter.
I want to keep going.
Wir haben ein ganz komisches Talent,
We have a very strange talent,
warten auf den richtigen Moment. Oh, tun wir doch.
Waiting for the right moment. Oh, we are.
Komm lass uns weiter.
Come on, let's keep going.
Unsere Hände suchen heimlich ihren Weg
Our hands secretly search their way
wie schon seit ein paar Tagen.
as they have been for a few days now.
Heut woll'n sie weiter.
Today they want to keep going.
Finden wir heraus, was moglich ist.
Let's find out what's possible.
Bleib ein hoffnungsloser Optimist. Aber doch.
Stay a hopeless optimist. But still.
Das Für und Wider endet nicht,
The pros and cons never end,
spring ins kalte Wasser, trau mich nicht, trau mich doch.
Take the plunge, don't dare, dare anyway.
Komm lass uns weiter.
Come on, let's keep going.
Contributed by Grayson W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.