Warner relocated from Oakland, California, to New York City in mid-2009 to work as a songwriter for hire, after a publishing company scout offered her a deal to write songs for mainstream artists. She soon met producer Peter Wade, and after months of writing with him, he suggested that she release an album under her own name. Warner and Wade uploaded four tracks to Myspace in 2009, which eventually became MNDR's debut EP, E.P.E.
Warner has performed under the moniker MNDR since 2005, around the time she was performing in the Bay Area. The name was given to her by a Fargo friend, who called her "Mandar" while she was still in high school. The spelling and design were inspired by early Detroit techno, early Chicago house, and German techno. Warner explained, "MNDR is a group with Peter Wade in the sense that we make and write all of the music. However, I perform as a solo artist and all that comes with that."
#1 in Heaven
MNDR Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's the last of your sunny days
In the hills high above the bay
Oh, you better step away
Number one in heaven with a bullet
I'll come for you when I can
Tell them I'm smiling
Number one in heaven with a bullet
Remember who I am, tell them I'm smiling
Oh, won't you send my greetings
Number one in heaven
From the heart, signed in blood
The first of many merry men before the flood, oh oh
Where you gonna go as the pressure breaks
To the hills, now, you can't get away, oh, I'll take you all with me
Number one in heaven with a bullet
I'll come for you when I can
Tell them I'm smiling
Oh, won't you send my greetings
Number one in heaven with a bullet
Remember who I am
Tell them I'm smiling
Oh, won't you send my greetings
Put your hands above your head
Close your eyes and count to ten
I said, put your hands above your head right now
I said, put your hands above your heads right now
Tell them I'm smiling
Oh, won't you send my greetings
Number one in heaven with a bullet
Remember who I am
Tell them I'm smiling
Oh, won't you send my greetings
Tell them I'm smiling
Oh, won't you send my greetings
I'm number one in heaven
Oh, send my greetings
The lyrics of MNDR's "Number One in Heaven" depict the singer's disdain for the bourgeoisie and their impending downfall. The opening lines "My ode to the bourgeoisie, say goodbye to decency" set the tone for the song's theme of the elite's imminent demise. The line "It's the last of your sunny days" suggests that the bourgeoisie's reign is coming to an end. The next lines "In the hills high above the bay, Oh, you better step away" could indicate that the singer is from a more working-class background and will ascend above the bourgeoisie.
The chorus of the song states, "Number one in heaven with a bullet, I'll come for you when I can, tell them I'm smiling. Oh, won't you send my greetings. Number one in heaven." The metaphorical use of the term "number one in heaven" could represent the singer's sense of superiority over the bourgeoisie. The addition of "with a bullet" could signify the singer's violent intentions towards those in power. The repetition of "tell them I'm smiling, oh won't you send my greetings" reinforces this sense of superiority and almost sadistic pleasure in the downfall of the bourgeoisie.
The bridge features the lines "Put your hands above your head, close your eyes and count to ten, I said put your hands above your head right now, I said put your hands above your head right now." This could be interpreted as the singer having the power to command and control the bourgeoisie, further emphasizing their superiority and the imminent downfall of their social status.
Line by Line Meaning
My ode to the bourgeoisie, say goodbye to decency
This is a tribute to the wealthy class and a farewell to morality
It's the last of your sunny days
Your happy times are over
In the hills high above the bay
I'm in a superior position, looking down on you
Oh, you better step away
You should move back from this situation
Number one in heaven with a bullet
I'm at the top of the world and rising fast
I'll come for you when I can
I'll get what I want, regardless of your feelings
Tell them I'm smiling
Let others know I'm pleased with my success
Oh, won't you send my greetings
Please communicate my message to others
Remember who I am
Don't forget my importance or influence
From the heart, signed in blood
This is a deeply personal commitment, with serious consequences
The first of many merry men before the flood, oh oh
I'm leading the charge, one of the first to reach great heights
Where you gonna go as the pressure breaks
You will have nowhere to hide once the situation gets intense
To the hills, now, you can't get away
Trying to avoid the situation won't save you
I'll take you all with me
I will bring everyone along on my journey, whether they like it or not
Put your hands above your head
Surrender yourself and show that you understand my power
Close your eyes and count to ten
Take a moment to recognize your powerlessness
I'm number one in heaven
I am at the top of the world, and nothing can bring me down
Oh, send my greetings
Make sure everyone knows about my success
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Eric Thompson
Wow. I'm actually really surprised her videos have so many dislikes on them.
She opened for a band I like back in October of 2012 and she was actually really awesome live. I bought her album at the merch booth as soon as her set was over. She puts on a really energetic show for being one person.
Gyoza Defense Force
I love MNDR to death. This song is like a can of Red Bull IN MY VEINS. The chorus gives me chills. It's New Wave awesomesauce slathered all over your super-tasty club sandwich. Also check out their song 'Caligula.' I NEED THE FULL-ON MNDR ALBUM NOW.
Nikko Medina
Such an awesome song! MNDR yall are so amazing <3
agodlikegamer
I'm a huge MNDR fan, and this song is amazing! The video may not appeal to everyone as it is unconventional, but this was her goal. She wanted the video to break away from the traditional definitions of "sexy" and "pop". The video is about Patty Hearst, so it does have a deeper meaning... Anyways, just wanted to convey that I really, REALLY like MNDR, and this video/song reinforces it.
A.K. Aych
This is so great. I'm so happy that MNDR is finally taking off!
Benjamin Cossio
love her style :) its so old school and futuristic at the same time.. awesome
Илья Морковкин
Приятно звучит ! Для утра довольно позитивно :-)
Gerry Lauzon
Just brilliant, I blast this thru my speakers any chance I get. Awesome work. Keep making this fantastic music Amanda.
WeirdWeAre
she's amazing live too♥
Sergio Bedolla
I totally love this song and the video is perfect for it, the song remembers the 80's and it's obiusly that the video was gonna be inspirated in that decade