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.
Piano Joint
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Looking out for something new
It's the right time to give in
The right time to lose
To begin again
Maybe win again
All I want is to talk to you
I can't be with another
Although I've been used
I won't leave again
Help me to the end
All I know is
My oh my, this kind of love
It's taken me from my enemies
Don't let the pressure get to me
My oh my, it's bad enough
Could you stay with me?
Don't let me go
Sadness and fury is all I know
You've taken from my enemies
I still let the pressure get to me
I thought I could break away
I hope I fall in love today
No more heartbreak and trouble
And though I've been bruised
Let me in again
I could use a friend
All I know is
My oh my, this kind of love
It's taken me from my enemies
Don't let the pressure get to me
My oh my, it's bad enough
Could you stay with me?
Don't let me go
Sadness and fury is all I know
You've taken me from my enemies
I still let the pressure get to me
In Michael Kiwanuka's song "Piano Joint," the lyrics describe a person who is navigating their way through a difficult time in their life. The singer is walking down the street, searching for something new, and contemplating giving in to their struggles. They want to talk to someone who can turn them onto something true and help them through their problems. Although they have been hurt before, they won't give up and want to start again to try and win again.
The chorus emphasizes the impact that love has on the singer's life. They've been taken from their enemies, but the pressure sometimes gets too much, causing them sadness and fury. They are asking for someone to stay with them and not let them go, despite their struggles.
Overall, the song is an emotional journey that speaks to the universal human experience of trying to move forward through hardship and find a way to connect with others.
Line by Line Meaning
Walking down the avenue
Strolling down the street
Looking out for something new
Searching for something fresh
It's the right time to give in
It's the correct moment to let go
The right time to lose
The perfect time to fail
To begin again
To start anew
Maybe win again
Perhaps to attain victory again
All I want is to talk to you
My desire is just to converse with you
Turn me onto something true
Introduce me to something genuine
I can't be with another
I cannot be with someone new
Although I've been used
Despite being taken advantage of
I won't leave again
I won't depart once more
Help me to the end
Assist me until the finish
All I know is
What I'm aware of is
My oh my, this kind of love
This type of affection, oh my
It's taken me from my enemies
It has taken me away from those who oppose me
Don't let the pressure get to me
Don't let the stress weigh on me
My oh my, it's bad enough
This is already troublesome enough
Could you stay with me?
Can you continue to be by my side?
Don't let me go
Don't let me leave
Sadness and fury is all I know
I'm familiar only with sadness and anger
You've taken from my enemies
You've removed me from those who oppose me
I still let the pressure get to me
I still allow the stress to affect me
I thought I could break away
I believed I could escape
I hope I fall in love today
I'm optimistic about falling in love today
No more heartbreak and trouble
No more pain and difficulties
And though I've been bruised
Despite being injured
Let me in again
Allow me back into your life once more
I could use a friend
I could benefit from a friend
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Burton, Dean Cover, Michael Samuel Kiwanuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dante
Artists like Michael are the reason I get annoyed when people say "there's no good music anymore, music is dead, etc.".. There is PLENTY of great music being made today, you just need to dig a litter deeper to find it.
Bob Stein
Yes!! Well agreed. We're living through a renaissance. Just because great music is more outnumbered than ever doesn't mean it's not more abundant than ever.
Michael battle
Just like he dug into this song lol
Jimbo Slice
The music industry is rigged
Sladjana Vuksanovic
You said it! 👍🥰
Fabrizi
No need to get annoyed, Geez🤣🤣🤣
Bonnie Forman
This was part of the soundtrack for "Ted Lasso," an unlikely source. Absolutely love this guy! Beautiful song, on every level.
only the lonely
We are too lucky to live at the same time as this man.
Hiba Dw.
Amen.
Amal
We are truly lucky to know him, and be able to enjoy his music