You Never Knew What These Misunderstood Songs Were Really About
‘Paper Planes’ – M.I.A.
Many think M.I.A.’s 2008 hit “Paper Planes” was about a drug dealer, however the singer herself explained that the song was actually about the immigrant experience in the United States. She explained, “I was thinking about living [in Bed-Stuy], waking up every morning – it’s such an African neighborhood. 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 s*** 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.