P.O.W.A.

Album: not on an album (2017)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • M.I.A. released the lyrics to this song, along with a 10-second sample, on Twitter February 7, 2017. The lyrics find her asserting her rebel cred; the FBI and fascists are still on her case, but it doesn't faze her:

    Throw up my hands
    Say this is people power
    Throw up my finger and
    I'm taking on the Tower


    M.I.A. famously threw up her middle finger when she performed at the 2012 Super Bowl.
  • At one stage M.I.A. appears to be taking aim at some of her fellow female singers:

    I'm not Rihanna
    I'm not Madonna
    I'm not Mariah
    Or Ariana
    I've been around in this world causing drama
    The real spice girl, hot girl power


    M.I.A. denied that she is dissing pop stars like Rihanna, Madonna, Mariah Carey or Ariana Grande. Instead she is claiming her uniqueness as a provocative artist in a political way. The rapper tweeted: "This is not a dis, its just not an 'alternative fact'. Difference is good".
  • M.I.A. chops up and loops for this song part of The Marcels' classic 1961 doo-wop rendition of "Blue Moon."

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"

Jules Shear - "All Through The Night"They're Playing My Song

Shears does very little promotion, which has kept him secluded from the spotlight. What changed when Cyndi Lauper had a hit with his song? Not much, really.

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up Musicians

Into The Great Wide Open: Made-up MusiciansSong Writing

Eddie (played by Johnny Depp in the video) found fame fleeting, but Chuck Berry's made-up musician fared better.

Rupert Hine

Rupert HineSongwriter Interviews

Producer Rupert Hine talks about crafting hits for Tina Turner, Howard Jones and The Fixx.

Stephen Christian of Anberlin

Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.

Guy Clark

Guy ClarkSongwriter Interviews

Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett are just a few of the artists who have looked to Clark for insightful, intelligent songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.