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.

I'll Never Love
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'll never love somebody
I'll never love somebody
Leave me cold
Trouble song in the moonlight
Will be my bride

I'll never need somebody
I'll never need somebody

Leave me alone
A worried mind in the violence
Will be my guide

I'll never hold somebody
I'll never hold somebody
For very long
I make love but only for a night
And I'll be gone

I'll never love somebody
I'll never love somebody
Leave me cold
The trouble song in the moonlight
Will be my bride
Will be my bride

Will be my bride
Will be my bride

Overall Meaning

The verses in Michael A. Galianos's song Never Bet On Love describes the singer's reluctance to commit emotionally to someone. The first verse claims that the singer will never fall in love with someone as he desires to remain alone. The phrase "leave me cold" suggests the singer's reluctance to let anyone enter his life, body or soul. The singer is not interested in any intimate or emotional connections. The second verse states that the singer does not require anyone else in his life. He wants to be left alone, and even if he feels anxious, he will handle it himself. The singer trusts only himself and his capabilities to deal with his emotions.

In contrast, the third verse talks about the singer's short-term love affairs. While the singer claims they make love, it doesn't have any emotional attachment, and it's only for a night. The term "I'll be gone" indicates that the singer is not going to be there the next day. The singer is a paradoxical character as he can have casual sexual experiences but doesn't want anything to do with a romantic relationship. The chorus remarks on the singer's love for music and lyrics, which will be his bride. The phrase 'trouble song in the moonlight' implies that the singer's music is more than just an interest; it has become his only love, and he will stay devoted to it forever.

Line by Line Meaning

I'll never love somebody
I will never truly fall in love with someone

Leave me cold
I desire emotional distance in my relationships

Trouble song in the moonlight
I am attracted to chaotic and unstable relationships

Will be my bride
I am married to the idea of these tumultuous relationships

I'll never need somebody
I do not require anyone in my life to feel fulfilled

Leave me alone
I seek solitude and independence in my life

A worried mind in the violence
I am drawn to damaging situations and relationships

Will be my guide
These negative experiences act as my compass in life

I'll never hold somebody
I am incapable of maintaining a long-term relationship

For very long
My relationships are fleeting and temporary

I make love but only for a night
My sexual relationships lack emotional depth and are fleeting