M.I.A. – The One Lyrics

M.I.A. – The One Lyrics

The One Lyrics by M.I.A.

M.I.A. returns once again with “The One,” her first official single since “Babylon” – which surfaced in November 2021 – and the first taste of her sixth studio album, MATA.

During an interview with Zane Love on Apple Music 1, the artist revealed that the song was inspired by being in a bright place from a personal point of view, despite crafting it during the COVID-19 pandemic:

I guess [the track] is just about sticking to what you are and the truth. I think, at the end of the day, that is also what this record is about to me, is still trying to find truth. In a way, it’s kind of rebellious, because everybody’s expecting me to put out that really havoc… Everyone’s expecting that, but it’s not, that’s not what it is. It’s about the battle of the ego versus you finding yourself and you finding the spiritual leader. Spirituality within, whatever form is given to you. I think that’s really interesting, when you think everything, you get challenged by the universe.

[Verse 1]
Got a ticket for the city, that’s fire
TEC-9 for the side that’ll fight ya
At a protest like “Come on and try it”
Put your picket down, come on and riot
Done roughed it over in the east side
Got a plane like I’ma let the trouble slide
Done stepped it over to the west side
Paper work, yeah, I’ma get it certified

[Pre-Chorus]
Head for the gate, art in the Tate
I’m the thing that sons imitate
You can’t stop the fate, stop the weight, lock away
Deny the debate relevant to the day

[Chorus]
When you’re tryna find the one
Why do you need reminding?
No matter how you look at it
It’s me you keep findin’
Tryna find the one, what you’re seekin’ ain’t hidin’
Tryna find the one, it’s me you keep findin’

[Hook]
Why you lookin’ for the one, one, one
When your search is done, done, done?
Why you lookin’ for the one, one, one
When your search is done, done, done?

[Verse 2]
Head to head, toe to toe, showing up to go
They be sleeping on the heat, yeah, so I let ’em know
Zoned in, dialed in, tuned in to the core
Tryin’ to get the message out, so I help you grow
Spread my wings to the walk, I’m gon’ put a swing
This time I’m gonna flip the whole thing
New era, I’m gonna bring it in
To the basics, get the club bubbling

[Pre-Chorus]
Head for the gate, art in the Tate
I’m the thing that sons imitate
You can’t stop the fate, stop the weight, lock away
Deny the debate relevant to the day

[Chorus]
When you’re tryna find the one
Why do you need reminding?
No matter how you look at it
It’s me you keep findin’
Tryna find the one, what you’re seekin’ ain’t hidin’
Tryna find the one, it’s me you keep findin’

[Hook]
Why you lookin’ for the one, one, one
When your search is done, done, done?
Why you lookin’ for the one, one, one
When your search is done, done, done?