Paper Planes MIA and Pineapple Express

The song's meaning is Missing in Action.

When I first heard the M.I.A. Paper Planes track being used in a trailer for the film Pineapple Express, I instantly thought that Hollywood had just botched a perfectly good song, mismatched it, and drained it of all original meaning. That's Hollywood for you.

Originally released in 2007 on M.I.A.'s second album Kala, Paper Planes became one of the favorite tracks among M.I.A. fans, played at underground dance parties, and other non-top 40 music spots. It was a bonafide hit that not many radio stations were playing at the time. The infectious sound, gun shots, and beat make for a great song, and though it features a sample from "Straight to Hell" by The Clash, Paper Planes is a track on to its own.

A fantastic musician and a thought-provoking songwriter, Paper Planes getting paired up with a Stoner comedy? The connection with Pineapple Express will no doubt bring in more sales of the single, and possibly expand M.I.A.'s fan base, but I think listeners are missing the point entirely. All those jumping on the bandwagon of "The Pineapple Express Song," need to do their research. It's easy to just think about the catchy gun shots, but if you listen closely, is this song really about weed?

Well, it's times like these that sites like SongMeanings.net come into play. The meaning of Paper Planes is debated among those who are interested in dissecting the track. Word for word. One user even posted a quote, apparently from an interview M.I.A. gave regarding the song:

"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."

I wasn't able to confirm where this quote originally came from, but it makes sense. M.I.A.'s music is thematically about the 1st generation's immigrant experience from the 3rd world. It's funny how the song has been playing in theaters all over North America with the films trailer, and yet when M.I.A. performed Paper Planes on the David Letterman Show, the gunshot sound was censored out, and replaced with some sort of tapping.

To learn more about M.I.A. the artist, watch her on VBS filmed by Spike Jonze HERE

***In addition to this post, also view my thoughts on Slumdog Millionaire, and the films use of Paper Planes, and M.I.A.'s collaboration on the soundtrack.***

M.I.A. PNE FORUM CONCERT Vancouver

Bigger Venue, not as fun as her previous concert at the Commodore.

Presented by the Georgia Straight, and Live Nation Canada, M.I.A, performed Sunday night to an energetic crowd. This was the second time I had a chance to check out her show, but this time around it wasn't as good. Not because of M.I.A.'s performance, but because of the bigger crowd, that made it difficult to get close to the stage and really into the music. It wasn't as intimate as her previous concert at the Commodore Ballroom. Also I think there were a lot of under-aged kids who were taking up too much room. A concert with Tweens is major suckage.

Overall though, M.I.A. rocked the house, with tracks from all her albums. Here's hoping she comes back to Vancouver, but plays for a smaller crowd.

Concert: M.I.A Rocks Vancouver @ The Commodore M.I.A. All the Way

Waiting in the cold outside the Commodore Ballroom, was a small sacrifice for concert goers, as they were about to be warmed up by the intense sounds of M.I.A.

Tuesday night was the first of two packed sold out shows in Vancouver, featuring the underground phenomena M.I.A. with opening act The Cool kids. M.I.A. delivered an incredible high energy performance that was a true testament to the hype that surrounds her in the music scene. To put it simply, M.I.A. rocked. Her music is addictive, and being it was performed live with phenomenal showmanship -- the audience singing and dancing to every song from the moment she stepped out on stage -- it was clear M.I.A. is not only huge in the UK, but in Canada as well.

The concert started off late, being that The Cool Kids were held up at Customs. During that time, Mark Ronson, Amy Winehouse, and Lily Allen were blasting on the speakers in the theme of UK musicians, being that M.I.A. is from London. After the Cool Kids played their short set, we were greeted by a speech by Kouichi Toyama, the political activist, and youtube star. Placed into context with an M.I.A. concert added that extra bit of counter culture.

As one concert goer put it "Tight ass, Spandexy legs" when referring to M.I.A. as she rode the crowd. "We almost dropped her, the security guard had to help her back up on stage."

During one song she invited people to come on stage and dance with her. Of course, this made the crowd go wild (even more then they already were) and being that I was near the front, I was constantly being pushed, shoved, and crushed between bodies. I survived to bring you all these pictures! One guy kept waving a Tamil Tigers flag, yet you could tell that M.I.A. didn't want it overshadowing her performance, and the overall positive mood.

Overall the show was amazing. The crowd was wild the entire time. It was an unforgettable show! Check out M.I.A. on myspace.com/mia

Other Concerts: Meg & Dia w/The Spill Canvas, PlayRadioPlay, Idiot Pilot K-Os w/ You Say Party! We Say Die!