Paper Planes

this is what M.I.A says [about paper planes]:

" I was going to get patties at my local and just thinking that really the worst thing that anyone can say [to someone these days] is some shit like: ”What I wanna do is come and get your money.” People don’t really feel like immigrants or refugees contribute to culture in any way. That they’re just leeches that suck from whatever. So in the song I say All I wanna do is [sound of gun shooting and reloading, cash register opening] and take your money. I did it in sound effects. It’s up to you how you want to interpret. America is so obsessed with money, I’m sure they’ll get it. "

The "bang bang bang bang" and "ka-ching" overpowering the kids' voices really says something, I believe.

What she's saying is, again, something that only an immigrant could understand. We make visas? She's referring to getting fake papers since getting legitimate papers is impossible to some people. Visas in third world countries are obviously only granted to rich people, but poor people will still find a way in order to live better and survive. Also, she's making reference to hustling again and how many immigrants are constantly thinking about making money or showing that they are making money, as a way to show "success" in the new world. Great song and great reference to immigration by sampling The Clash. The chorus, in my opinion, is what Americans and Europeans think immigrants are about. She's making fun of that myth that we are all violent and criminals because, of course, the only reason we go to Europe and America is to "steal ya money" (another reference, by the way, to Bankrobber by The Clash, good work Maya).

First of all this song is about making money. * note this- M.I.A is banned from performing in the U.S.A because of terrorist ties. Her lyrics are the truth to so many third world countries that need to steal to eat. It's about real life. Not US life but real every day life where the motto is killed or be killed. Not everybody has welfare in their country. You got to do what you got to do. It's so stupid that she was banned from the US cause her lyrics are no different from any US rapper. It just happens to be from the wrong side of the world. She's awesome but right now it's not American to listen to her according to the fat cats in Washington. Freedom of speech is free till you don't talk freely.

The song's about America's fear of immigrants. The song lyrics describe illegal ways of making money, but the video shows M.I.A. as a cashier selling sandwiches, a delivery girl, and worker in a shop. All legit jobs. So even though many Americans associate immigrants with the baddest things in society (lethal poison for the system), the reality is that most legitimately work to make a living, and some even say the economy couldn't run without them (I agree). Her outfits are awesome too.

I believe she is actually saying "Burner pre-paid wireless." I know part of this album was recorded in Baltimore. On the show The Wire (set in Baltimore) prepaid cell-phones were called burners, usually for drug dealing purposes. Song is a killer for sure.

i love the song from first time i heard it in london!!!it reminds me to my life there!...finally a woman who speaks out modern day issues in people's language, ...visas in my name, clocking that game, ... does pirate skulls and bones stand for an immigrant mafia or just in general?

women power!! 3rd world democracy!!now!

its not like some posters said a woman trying to sound like gangster, ...she's making fun of the system and state of being, and talks in same time of normal daily survival (especially for immigrant young ones, political people, worker's, ...): it's very realistic! and in same time very positive and cheerful! being cheerful in a song doesnt mean it has to deal with light issues only! mia is immigrant from political background, educated, designer, involved in human rights, ...

nowadays .. youre confronted with all these issues anyway, you dont have to be a gangster! especially if you try to be independent, to grasp whats going on, and have social responsiblity, ... and live true to yourself. just open your eyes!

I heard "summer murder" but that was wrong.

I can totally see this song being about America now. I've had it stuck permanetly in my head ever since the performance at the grammys.(my favorite followed closely by Katy Perry and the banana. I was like please preggers don't go into labor on stage. Gotta love her guts, style and swagger though.) But America is all about making a dollar. Sad but true. It doesn't matter who you take down who you hurt or kill, in the hood especially, as long as you got bank. Money makes America go round. You need money for everything, and most have to hustle to get it now. I turn on the news and all i hear is he got killed, she got killed, drug bust, robbery, etc, is there ever any good news? I'm American, born and raised, but if u look at all the bs we got goin on over here, I wouldn't wanna be. Too much drama and all about the dollar. Every day that I look at the news there doing exactly whats described in this song. I'm in 12 grade and half of the people at my school say the same thing. We suck. America could do a lot better and I honestly don't know if our new president can change this in the amount of time he has in office.

the last two people before me are pretty much correct, this song is about immigration, maybe specifically illegal immigrants, how alot of people in the u.s. are so worried about them and she is talking sarcastically saying how they are all out to murder do drugs and kill.... the truth is the illegal immigrants just want to work and get ahead in life and provide for their families and they are very family oriented as they are big customers of prepaid phone cards to call family, etc.

the skulls and bones comment is also another dig at the conservative anti-immigration wackos in governments as it is a reference to the old boys club that politicians have been connected together for many years

very intelligent song, too bad so many people just don't get it and think it has anything to do with being gangsta, stupid dumbass kids