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

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New Words

Facebook, Bromance and Email - The First Songs To Use New WordsSong Writing

Where words like "email," "thirsty," "Twitter" and "gangsta" first showed up in songs, and which songs popularized them.

Incongruent Opening Acts

Incongruent Opening ActsSong Writing

Here's what happens when an opening act is really out of place with the headliner, like when Beastie Boys opened for Madonna.

Who Did It First?

Who Did It First?Music Quiz

Do you know who recorded the original versions of these ten hit songs?

Tony Joe White

Tony Joe WhiteSongwriter Interviews

The writer of "Rainy Night in Georgia" and "Polk Salad Annie" explains how he cooks up his Louisiana swamp rock.

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & Tears

David Clayton-Thomas of Blood, Sweat & TearsSongwriter Interviews

The longtime BS&T frontman tells the "Spinning Wheel" story, including the line he got from Joni Mitchell.

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"

Susanna Hoffs - "Eternal Flame"They're Playing My Song

The Prince-penned "Manic Monday" was the first song The Bangles heard coming from a car radio, but "Eternal Flame" is closest to Susanna's heart, perhaps because she sang it in "various states of undress."