Michael Samuel Kiwanuka (born 3 May 1987) is an English soul musician who i… Read Full Bio ↴Michael Samuel Kiwanuka (born 3 May 1987) is an English soul musician who is signed to Communion Records. He has been compared to Marvin Gaye, Curtis Mayfield, Bill Withers, Randy Newman, Terry Callier, and Otis Redding, as well as Van Morrison and the Temptations. In January 2012, he won the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll.
Kiwanuka grew up in Muswell Hill, London, the son of Ugandan parents who had escaped the Amin regime. He attended Fortismere School, leaving there in 2005 after completing his A-Levels. He went on to study at the School of Media, Arts and Design at the University of Westminster.
Kiwanuka worked as a session guitarist, playing with Chipmunk and Bashy, before working as a solo artist; his first proper gig was at The Oxford, Kentish Town. He came to the attention of Communion Records, which released his first two EPs, including his debut Tell Me A Tale on 13 June 2011.
Kiwanuka supported Adele on her Adele Live 2011 tour, as well at her iTunes Festival 2011 gig and played at the 2011 Hard Rock Calling.
In 2011, he signed a deal with Polydor Records. He was included in the BBC's Sound of 2012 poll and was named as the winner on 6 January 2012. In June 2012, he was illustrated in a BBC article regarding Spain vis-à-vis Uganda during the Eurozone crisis; his putative counterpart was actress Penélope Cruz.
In July 2016, he performed at the British Summer Time Festival in Hyde Park on the same day as Carole King and Don Henley.
The 5th prestigious HiPipo Music Awards will honor Michael Kiwanuka with the award of "Best Global Act" in recognition and celebration of his ‘Love & Hate’ album success and musical accomplishments since his 2012 debut album "Home Again".
His song "Cold Little Heart" serves as the opening theme for the HBO miniseries Big Little Lies.
Kiwanuka has acknowledged influences from musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Bill Withers, Otis Redding, Jack Johnson, Pops Staples, The Band, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Eric Bibb, Tommy Sims, Wham!, Richie Havens and Funkadelic, he has played with James Gadson, who drummed for Bill Withers.

Cold Little Heart
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics

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Oh
Oh
Ooh, ah
Ah
Ah
Ah
Ah
Ooh ah

Ah
Ah
Ah

Did you ever want it?
Did you want it bad?
Oh, my
It tears me apart
Did you ever fight it?
All of the pain, so much power
Running through my veins
Bleeding, I'm bleeding
My cold little heart
Oh I, I can't stand myself

And I know
In my heart, in this cold heart
I can live or I can die
I believe if I just try
You believe in you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I

Did you ever notice
I've been ashamed
All my life
I've been playing games
We can try to hide it
It's all the same
I've been losing you
One day at a time
Bleeding, I'm bleeding
My cold little heart
Oh I, I can't stand myself

And I know
In my heart, in this cold heart
I can live or I can die
I believe if I just try
You believe in you and I
In my heart, in this cold heart
I can live or I can die
I believe if I just try
You believe in you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I
In you and I

Maybe this time I can be strong
But since I know who I am
I'm probably wrong
Maybe this time I can go far

But thinking about where I've been
Ain't helping me start

Overall Meaning

The song, "Cold Little Heart" by Michael Kiwanuka is a soulful anthem that speaks about the pains and struggles of life. The opening lines of the song are simple "Oh, Oh, Ooh, Ah," but they set a dramatic tone leading into the first verse. Kiwanuka then goes on to ask if the listener has ever wanted something badly, something that tears them apart. He speaks of the power of the pain that can run through a person's veins like an addiction- something they can't live with or without. The chorus then repeats the phrase "In my heart, in this cold heart," emphasizing the isolation and loneliness of the struggles we face.

Kiwanuka then goes on to reveal his own shame and how it has had a significant impact on his life. He speaks of his battle with himself, playing games and hiding his true self, resulting in losing the person he loves one day at a time. The pain and desperation escalate with the repeat of the chorus, with Kiwanuka saying he can't stand himself. However, the chorus ends with hope, as Kiwanuka speaks of the possibility of living, of trying, of believing in oneself and in a relationship.

Finally, in the last verse, Kiwanuka speaks of his own inner turmoil- the desire to be strong and go far, along with the defeat of his past failures. The song ends on a somber note, with the realization that one's past struggles can hinder their progress, but also the hope of overcoming these obstacles.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh
Expressing a sound of surprise or delight

Ooh, ah
Vocalization of a pleasant sensation or feeling

Ah
Vocalization indicating a sense of understanding or realization

Ooh ah
Vocalization of a pleasant sensation or feeling

Ah
Vocalization indicating a sense of understanding or realization

Did you ever want it?
Asking if one has ever desired something strongly

Did you want it bad?
Asking if the desire was passionate and urgent

Oh, my
Expressing shock or surprise

It tears me apart
Feeling distressed and pained

Did you ever fight it?
Asking if one has ever struggled against their desires

All of the pain, so much power
Recognizing the intense impact of one's emotions

Running through my veins
Feeling the intensity of one's emotions deep within

Bleeding, I'm bleeding
Experiencing emotional pain and turmoil

My cold little heart
Describing oneself as emotionally distant and detached

Oh I, I can't stand myself
Feeling overwhelmed and unhappy with oneself

And I know
Indicating one's awareness of something

In my heart, in this cold heart
Referring to one's innermost feelings and character

I can live or I can die
Realizing the gravity of one's choices and actions

I believe if I just try
Expressing hope and determination to succeed

You believe in you and I
Referring to another person's faith in the singer's potential

In you and I
Referring to the shared goal and connection between two people

Did you ever notice
Asking if one has ever realized something

I've been ashamed
Feeling guilt or embarrassment about something

All my life
Referring to the extended duration of time one has experienced this feeling

I've been playing games
Using deception or manipulation to achieve one's goals

We can try to hide it
Recognizing the possibility of concealing one's true feelings or intentions

It's all the same
Acknowledging the futility of such efforts

I've been losing you
Realizing that one's actions or character have caused another person to drift away

One day at a time
Taking things slowly and dealing with them day by day

Maybe this time I can be strong
Expressing hope and determination to overcome past weaknesses

But since I know who I am
Recognizing one's own character and limitations

I'm probably wrong
Expressing doubt and uncertainty about one's chances of success

Maybe this time I can go far
Hoping to achieve great things in the future

But thinking about where I've been
Reflecting on past experiences and mistakes

Ain't helping me start
Feeling stuck or unable to move forward despite such reflection

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BRIAN JOSEPH BURTON, DEAN COVER, MICHAEL SAMUEL KIWANUKA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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