M.I.A (Cher Lloyd song)

"M.I.A"
Single by Cher Lloyd
Released	11 October 2019
Recorded	Tileyard London
Genre	R&B[1] pop[1]
Length	2:37
Label	Universal Polydor
Songwriter(s)	Morgan Avenue Jeremia Jones Stevie Appleton Gia Koka Cher Lloyd
Producer(s)	Joznez
Cher Lloyd singles chronology
"Don't Lose Love" (2019) "M.I.A" (2019) "Lost" (2020)
Music video
"M.I.A" on YouTube

"M.I.A" is a song by English singer Cher Lloyd. Released on 11 October 2019,[2] under Universal Music Group, the song marked her first solo release following her comeback "None Of My Business" in October 2018. An accompanying video directed by Raja Virdi was premiered on YouTube on the day of the song's release.[3]

Background and promotion

Lloyd began teasing the song on 3 October 2019 by posting cryptic images of the acronym on her social media spelling out the title.[4] In an interview with Euphoria, Lloyd stated that "the whole concept behind that song was being at a party that you really really don't want to be at, but you want to be with that person and you'd rather be anywhere else if it means that you get to be with that person".[5]

Lloyd embarked on a week-long radio tour in the UK from 10–17 November 2019, where she did acoustic sessions and interviews in promotion of the song. In terms of live performances, she performed the song live once at the German TV show ZDF-Fernsehgarten on 13 October 2019.[6]

The song failed to achieve much chart success at all due to poor promotion, however it did spend 4 weeks on Ultratop Wallonia under top 50 chart.

Critical reception

Lilly Pace of Billboard stated "The infectious new song recounts the singer's time at a bad party, where she asks someone she has her eye on to run away with her."[7] Writing for Idolator Mike Neid stated: "'M.I.A', [Lloyd's] latest is a bright anthem that finds her convincing a potential partner to leave a party. And she makes a damn good case. 'Let's make a quick getaway. This party's shit anyway. Or we could go M.I.A.'"[8]

Music video

The official video to the single premiered on YouTube the day of the song's release. It was shot at the Barbican Estate.[9] The music video depicts Lloyd performing choreography with backup dancers on different settings of the Barbican. The video was produced by Phase Films and directed by Raja Virdi.[10] In an interview with Billboard, Cher stated "This song is a mood, it's about capturing a feeling. I wanted the video to mirror exactly that. I wanted the vibe to feel playful, expressive, and fun. Every look gives a great insight into who I am and my personality."[11]

Track listing

Digital download / streaming

1. "M.I.A" - 2:37

Digital download / streaming (Cahill Edit)

1. "M.I.A" (Cahill Edit) - 3:00

Personnel

Credits adapted from YouTube Music.[12]

• Cher Lloyd – vocals, songwriting
• Joznez – production, studio personnel, mixing
• Nico The Owl – Production
• Dave Kutch – studio personnel, mastering engineer
• Lex Barkey – studio personnel, mixing
• Jeremia Jones – songwriter
• Gia Koka – songwriter
• Morien van der Tang – songwriter
• Stevie Appleton – songwriter

Release history

Release history for "M.I.A"

Region	Date	Format	Version	Label	Ref.
Various	11 October 2019	Digital download streaming	Original	Universal	[2]
Various	20 October 2020	Digital download streaming	Cahill Remix	Universal, 3 Beat	[13]

References

1. Savage, Mark (15 December 2019). "Cher Lloyd: 'I'm not on the conveyor belt any more'". BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
2. "Cher Lloyd on Instagram: "I'm back! My new single M.I.A will be released October 11th ⚡️⚡️ Link to Pre-Save and Pre-Add in my bio ⚡️⚡️"". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021 – via Instagram.
3. "Cher Lloyd - M.I.A (Official Music Video) - YouTube". Retrieved 10 March 2021 – via YouTube.
4. "A". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021 – via Instagram.
5. "Cher Lloyd - EUPHORIA". 26 November 2019. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
6. "Cher Lloyd Performs 'M.I.A' at ZDF Fernseh Garten on tour". Retrieved 10 March 2021 – via YouTube.
7. "Cher Lloyd Returns With 'M.I.A.,' An Anthem For Your Post-Party Plans". Retrieved 10 March 2021.
8. "Cher Lloyd Opens Up About Her New Single "M.I.A"". 11 October 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
9. "My new music video for @cherlloyd is out now. This was a really fun one to direct. Huge props to the entire team for smashing it". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021.
10. "Raja Virdi Music Videos". Retrieved 10 March 2021.
11. "Cher Lloyd Returns With 'M.I.A.,' an Anthem For Your Post-Party Plans". Retrieved 10 March 2021.
12. "Lost / Cher Lloyd". Retrieved 11 March 2020 – via YouTube.
13. "Head to the link in my bio to listen to the new Cahill remix of M.I.A ⚡️ hope you love it as much as I do!!". Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 10 March 2021 – via Instagram.