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'm Getting Ready
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I didn't know what it means to believe
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord,
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
Oh no more looking down honey
Can't you see?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
Oh no more looking down honey
Can't you see me?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
The lyrics to Michael Kiwanuka's "I'm Getting Ready" express a nuanced journey of faith and self-discovery. The repetition of "oh my" in the first two lines of each verse signals an underlying sense of uncertainty and doubt. The singer didn't know what it means "to believe" and the second verse reveals that he didn't know "how hard it would be." This connotes a struggle for understanding and a realization that faith requires commitment and effort.
Despite this struggle, the singer still desires to hold on tight and believes that if he does, God will "take care of all that I do." This is a message of trust, surrender, and hope. The repetition of "Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe" is a declaration of intent and a prayer for strength. In the bridge, the singer imagines a future full of joy and unbridled worship: "Then we'll be waving hands singing freely, Singing standing tall it's now coming easy,...Can't you see? Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe"
Overall, the song is not just about religious belief, but a universal quest for meaning and purpose. It speaks to the human need to overcome our doubts and fears and find something to believe in - whether that is a higher power or a personal mission. Ultimately, "I'm Getting Ready" is a call to action urging listeners to be brave and persevere in their own journeys.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my
Expressing surprise or shock
I didn't know what it means to believe
I was not sure what it means to have faith and trust in something or someone
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
If I persevere and have faith, will it really come true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Will you guide me and be with me every step of the way?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
I am preparing myself to have faith and trust in a higher power
I didn't know how hard it would be
I was not prepared for the difficulty of holding onto faith
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
We will celebrate and rejoice with unrestrained joy
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
With faith, we can stand strong and confident in ourselves
Oh no more looking down honey. Can't you see?
No longer will we be weighed down by doubts and fears. Isn't it clear?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
I am preparing myself to trust in a higher power
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready
I am getting ready to take a leap of faith
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready
I am getting ready to trust and believe in something greater than myself
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
I am preparing myself to have faith and trust in a higher power
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MICHAEL KIWANUKA, MICHAEL SAMUEL KIWANUKA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Singyourstyle
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands, singing freely
Singing standing tall, it's now coming easy
Oh, no more looking down, honey, can't you see?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
Oh no more looking down, honey, can't you see?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
@hakama2193
I'm Getting Ready Song by Michael Kiwanuka ( Lyric)
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
Oh my
I didn't know what it means to believe
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord,
I'm getting ready to believe
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
Oh my
I didn't know how hard it would be
But if I hold on tight, is it true?
Would You take care of all that I do?
Oh Lord, I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
Oh no more looking down honey
Can't you see?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Then we'll be waving hands singing freely
Singing standing tall it's now coming easy
Oh no more looking down honey
Can't you see me?
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready
Oh Lord
I'm getting ready to believe
Songwriters: Michael Kiwanuka / Michael Samuel Kiwanuka
I'm Getting Ready lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc,
Copy from Google
@ZeranZeran
I feel so lucky to have found your music when I was younger, because it has gotten me through some of the worst parts of my 20's.
Hoping for a more stable, and optimistic 30's, and gonna try harder for it too. Ready to move on and grow. Ready to be there for my loved ones for a change. I'll still be playing your music when I'm up, or when I'm down. It always reminds me that it's gonna be okay. Thank you Mr. Kiwanuka.
I think listening to your music on my worst nights may have have saved me from some much worse fates than what I was dealt. Because you allowed me to breathe and remember again. Thank you Michael, and Thank you BBC One from the early 2010's. Between this and Alabama Shakes, it's like they knew what I needed to hear, and it was such a nice change. Still is.
@syltaricklefs3053
Der Song HOME AGAIN ist bestimmt auch gut für dich. Bin sicher, dass du es liebst.
God Bless you
@ayeniprecious2765
In all my life, I have never listened to an entire album at a stretch without skipping a few tracks till I heard him. The essence of his music just wraps around a wiry soul and heals like magic. I am an instant fan who loves all your songs. Thank you for staying true to YOUR sound
@scottsmyth35
Ayeni Precious very true my dear very true xxc
@dannydoneda9358
procurei tanto esta cancao que linda voz nao me canso de ouvila deus te abencoe mikael kiwanuka beijos daqui do brasil abril de 2017
@kevinjames9845
Sorry, us black boys dont want black girls no more but thanks
@Xatzigiannis18
So true!!!!!
@stevetrivago
Ayeni Precious I can say “I literally love this man” unbelievable talent that I was fortunate enough to see last year.. Life changer ☮️💟💯🎬
@BoogieBoy_
I have depression and have struggled with it all my life. This song really hits different for me,, it’s beautiful. It’s a story about finding out the sad nature of your life.. and trying to fix it. Trying to rekindle the shushed flames of a candle. It’s a story of hope. It’s a store of acknowledgement. It’s a story of redemption… it’s a story of beauty. I love this song. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Thank you, Michael.
@dhruv68
Deep. Intense. Uplifting. Rejuvenating. Hopeful. I am running out of adjectives to describe his music. Not since the Grateful Dead have I come across lyrics so powerful.