Early public performances by Kimbra included singing at JBC (now the dive bar Nivara Lounge) in Hamilton at age 9, the Waikato Times Gold Cup race meeting in 2000 as a 10-year-old, and singing the national anthem at age 12 before 27,000 people at the Auckland vs Waikato NPC rugby final. In 2007, after winning the Juice TV award for best breakthrough music video for her second single "Simply on My Lips", she came to the attention of ex-Independient Records boss Mark Richardson (Jamiroquai, Paula Abdul) and his newly-formed management company and independent label Forum 5 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Before her debut album, Kimbra released 2 singles: 'Simply On My Lips' and 'Deep For You'.
Kimbra's debut album, Vows was released in 2011. Three singles have been released from this album - 'Cameo Lover', 'Settle Down', 'Good Intent'. According to the Settle Down Songfacts, Vows spans five years of Kimbra's life from age 17 to 22. and explores love, identity and coming of age.
Kimbra also collaborated with Australian artist Gotye for the single 'Somebody That I Used To Know ' in 2011. This song has peaked on the charts in The USA, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium and The Netherlands at #1.
A significantly reworked version of her debut album was released in the U.S. in May of 2012. At the end of that year Kimbra triumphed in five categories at the New Zealand Music Awards, most notably Best Female Solo Artist and Best Pop Album. She also continued to receive plaudits for her Gotye collaboration well into 2013, among them the 2012 Grammy for Record of the Year.
Along with touring with Gotye and making festival appearances, including a spot at Brazil's Rock in Rio festival, Kimbra began work on her second album, The Golden Echo. She returned to the studio with producer Rich Costey and a host of collaborators including Bilal, Van Dyke Parks, Muse's Matt Bellamy, the Mars Volta's Omar A. Rodriguez-Lopez, and Silverchair's Daniel Johns, who co-wrote some of the album's songs. Singles such as the genre-hopping "'90s Music" and the smooth disco-funk homage "Miracle" hinted at The Golden Echo's eclecticism ahead of its August 2014 release.
Kimbra reunited with Bilal in 2015, appearing on his album In Another Life, and debuted her own single "Sweet Relief" in 2016. The 2017 single "Everybody Knows" offered the first taste of her third album Primal Heart. Featuring songs co-written and co-produced by Kimbra -- as well as collaborations with John Congleton and Skrillex -- Primal Heart appeared in April 2018.
limbo
Kimbra Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've got a lot to risk, you know I can't afford to miss
So we're gonna run around forever just typing
Thinking of what could have been mine and
I know you say you're sorry you'll type back before
Running round in limbo, running round it all
(Running round in limbo, running round it all)
Show me that there's love worth fighting for
Give me a good reason to believe at all
Running round in limbo, running round it all
If you say you're scared then I'm terrified
If you say you're ready then I'm justified
If you say it's easy then you've crossed the line
If you say it's over then I'm in denial
Show me that there's something I could go back for
Show me that there's love worth fighting for
Give me a good reason to believe at all
Running round in limbo, running round it all
And I've got a lot to lose, you've got a lot to prove
Show me that there's something I could go back for
(Show me that there's love)
'Cause we're running round in limbo, running round it all
(Show me that there's love)
Show me that there's something I could go back for
(Show me that there's love)
Show me, cause we're running round in limbo, running round it all
(Running round in limbo, running round it all)
The song Limbo by Kimbra is a pleading ballad that tells the story of two people who are on the edge of their relationship. It's clear that the relationship is at a critical point as Kimbra sings, "And I've got a lot to lose, you've got a lot to prove, I've got a lot to risk, you know I can’t afford to miss." The stakes are high and the pressure is on. The two lovers are running around in limbo, unsure of what to do next.
It's evident that the relationship is teetering on the brink of a break-up, but there is still hope for something worth fighting for. Kimbra is looking for a reason to believe that the relationship is worth saving. She expresses this in the lines "Show me that there's something I could go back for, Show me that there's love worth fighting for, Give me a good reason to believe at all."
The song is a masterful blend of instrumentation and Kimbra's vocals, which convey the sheer desperation of the situation. It's a haunting and moving song that captures the emotions of anyone who has been in a situation where the future of a relationship is uncertain.
Line by Line Meaning
And I've got a lot to lose, you've got a lot to prove
I have a lot at stake in this situation and you need to demonstrate your abilities before I can trust you.
I've got a lot to risk, you know I can't afford to miss
I'm taking a big gamble and cannot afford to make any mistakes.
So we're gonna run around forever just typing
We continue to talk without taking any action.
Thinking of what could have been mine and
We spend time lamenting missed opportunities.
I know you say you're sorry you'll type back before
You apologize, but your actions have yet to reflect that apology.
Running round in limbo, running round it all
We are stuck in a state of uncertainty and confusion, unsure of what direction to take.
Show me that there's something I could go back for
Demonstrate that there is a reason for me to continue pursuing this situation.
Show me that there's love worth fighting for
Prove that there is still a meaningful connection worth striving for.
Give me a good reason to believe at all
Provide me with a convincing rationale to continue pursuing this situation.
If you say you're scared then I'm terrified
If you admit your fear, it makes me even more afraid of the situation.
If you say you're ready then I'm justified
Your assertion that you are prepared gives me a sense of validation.
If you say it's easy then you've crossed the line
If you suggest that the situation is effortless, it indicates a lack of empathy or understanding.
If you say it's over then I'm in denial
Your statement that the situation is resolved conflicts with my belief that it's not over.
And I've got a lot to lose, you've got a lot to prove
I am heavily invested in this situation and need to see that you have the ability to succeed.
Show me, cause we're running round in limbo, running round it all
Demonstrate a clear path forward to escape this cycle of confusion and uncertainty.
(Running round in limbo, running round it all)
Reiterating the idea that we are stuck in a state of uncertainty and confusion.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Kimbra Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Teketa Shine
this song made me bawl uncontrollably out of nowhere. profound.
Crazy Diamond
One of the best songs ever!
dum azz
oooh my gooosh i've only ever heard the live version of limbo but the album version is sO GOOOOD YASSS
clensHQ
Never heard a deeper sound. Perfect voice and mix...
Joanne Mikhael
I love Kimbra's style....can anyone give recommendations of songs or artist similar to this? thanks x
Dragonaer
i'll admit,i'm really addicted to kimbra...just so awesome x3
Flibbertigibbetism
She opened her Sydney Concert with this track Omigosh it was amazing.
Stephanie Bilodeau
Now this is the Kimbra that I love!! Fresh yes and funky! The music is good also, which we would like to hear also, no???!!
JeydaErdo
she is amaaaazing!!!
you
It's my favourite Kimbra's song now.