"Paper Planes" by M.I.A.
Reviewed by: Josh Meares
Note: We focus on reviewing songs, and therefore cannot comment on the appropriateness of the album in its entirety. Please use your best judgment whenever purchasing or listening to music.
The Artist
M.I.A. is the stage name of Mathangi "Maya" Arulpragasam. Maya has a unique story. Although she was born in England, her parents moved back to their native home of Sri Lanka before Maya turned 1. Several years later, the family relocated to Madras, India, when the civil war made it too dangerous to stay in Sri Lanka.
As the civil war escalated, Maya began to lose family members and friends. Her father was a militant separatist and allegedly associated with the Tamil Tigers terrorist group. Maya didn't see her father often, but she still respected him greatly. Maya's life finally stabilized once she and the rest of her family were able to move back to London.
As a student in the U.K., Arulpragasam became involved in the arts and published a monogram book of her paintings heavily influenced by the Tamil rebellion and titled "M.I.A." Then she took on the world of music with her first demo song in 2003 called "Galang." Her status as a star was cemented when her second studio album, "Kala," was named the best album of 2007 by Rolling Stone magazine. M.I.A. was also included on USA Today's "100 Most Interesting People of 2007."
The Album
M.I.A. released "Paper Planes - Homeland Security Remixes EP" digitally on February 11, 2008. M.I.A.'s sound is as unique as her background. It is a mix of world, trance, dancehall, hip-hop, and funk. And that sound has obviously struck a chord with audiences worldwide. Her tracks, as one might expect from her war-torn upbringing, are filled with political themes. The violence she has experienced gives her music a hard edge, and content includes swearing, lots of violent descriptions, and some sexual themes.
The Song
One word that comes up often in interviews with Maya is "complex." The world she lives in is "complex;" her music is "complex;" her lyrics are "complex." This song is no different. The sound is layered and innovative, while remaining rhythmic and catchy. The lyrics pack in multiple possible meanings along with themes from drug use and distribution to immigration problems to the problems inherent in third-world democracies.
This song is satirical, which makes it very hard to interpret. It is based, at least in part, on the fact that Maya's visa was suspended because of her connection with the Tamil Tigers, a vicious terrorist group based in Sri Lanka. Although she has not been in any direct contact with the Tigers, it is well known that her father was a militant activist who supported that group. She is pro-Tamil in her art and music.
Lyric: "If you catch me at the border I got visas in my name / If you come around here, I make 'em all day / I get one down in a second if you wait"
While her visa was suspended by the U.S. -- and she obviously wasn't making fake visas -- Maya could not enter the country to record an album with Timberland. So "Paper Planes" is partly about taunting the United States Department of Homeland Security. "Why are you keeping me out?" she is asking. "What are you afraid of?"
Another line from the song has a similar message.
Lyric: "All I wanna do is (gun shots) / And (cash register opening) / And take your money"
Maya reports that the inspiration for the song came while sitting in a restaurant; she said she realized that the only thing that really scares Americans is if someone threatens to harm them and take their money. So she paints herself as that kind of person in the song. It's another jab the U.S. government. Maya, the super-rich international superstar, implies, "Maybe that's why the government wants to keep me out; they are scared I'm going to rob someone." Catch just a little bit of sarcasm?
A poor carpenter in the first-century was mistreated. He also used sarcasm to comment on his government and his religious leaders. The story goes like this:
"Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. 'Teacher,' they said, 'we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?'
"But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, 'You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? Show me the coin used for paying the tax.' They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, 'Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?'
" 'Caesar's,' they replied. Then he said to them, 'Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's.' "
"When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away." (Matthew 22:15-22)
This story works on two levels, so pay close attention. The Pharisees were devout Jews, while the Herodians were supporters of the Roman government. To a devout Jew, it might be seen as unfaithful to pay taxes to a pagan government. On the other hand, to a Herodian, it would definitely be treason to suggest that Jews should not pay taxes to the government.
The Pharisees thought that they had a good trap. No matter how Jesus answered, His words could be used against Him by one group or the other. Whatever He said could be added to the list of charges they were building to have Him killed by the Romans.
On the surface, Jesus agreed that it was okay to pay taxes to Caesar. But the sharp edge of sarcasm was meant for the Pharisees. Didn't they get that God owns everything? Does it matter whose picture is on a coin? Of course not; that coin is still God's. God is the Creator of all things, and ALL things are His. That is one of the cornerstones of Jewish theology. Jesus used sarcasm to point out that they were missing it. His words condemned them instead of Him.
The Pharisees had compromised their beliefs in a variety of ways in order to keep some level of influence with the Roman government -- the exact thing they were trying to accuse Jesus of doing. The Pharisees did not want to seem unreasonable and defy the government, fearing they would all be killed. If they just compromised a little, then they could hold on to some power.
See the irony in Jesus' rebuke? Were the Pharisees giving their lives to God or trying to protect their lives and their power on their own? And which do you think is worse, not paying taxes to a government or not giving the God of the Universe what is rightfully His?
Soon after this event, Jesus gave back to God the most precious of the Father's gifts to Him: His own life. Every created thing is God's -- even us. But He has given us the choice to give ourselves to Him or not. That is the big difference between Maya and Jesus. She is bitterly sarcastic against our government because the Americans have not helped the Tamil people. Jesus set Himself against the Jewish religious leaders because His ultimate allegiance was to a higher kingdom, the kingdom of God.
Questions:
- Are you rebelling against anyone right now? If so, are you doing it for the right reason?
- If Jesus were to use sarcasm to bring to your attention a hole in your relationship with God, what do you think He would talk about?
- Should a Christian be patriotic in light of our overwhelming commitment to the kingdom of God? Why or why not?
- Have you faced rules that keep you from obeying God (e.g., no praying in school)? How did you respond? Why?
- Do you use sarcasm? If so, do you use it to help people see their troubles or to tear people down?
- What do you think we owe the government (e.g., taxes, loyalty, serving in the military, etc.)?
- Are there any religious groups today that have "sold their soul" to have power in the government?
- How do you feel about the war on terror? Is it justified, in your opinion?
