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.
Solid Ground
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And will I be denied?
How will it feel when it's time to move on?
Mother says kneel and pray
When it gets hard, I will roll those sleeves
Life can be so unkind
I will be found on the edge of the world
Where there'll be no one around
Oh, solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
How does it feel to be on your own?
No one to understand
I know I'm here and I don't belong
I'm on my knees today
When it gets dark, I will know no fear
Life can be so unkind
Hanging around on the edge of the world
Finally no one around
Oh, would you help me?
I don't understand
Is it over?
Am I losing solid ground?
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
Solid ground
The lyrics of Michael Kiwanuka's song Solid Ground reflect on the feeling of being alone and uncertain in life. The opening lines ask a series of questions about how it feels to be in a state of quiet and calm, and whether or not one will be denied certain things in life. The singer then ponders how it will feel to move on and what his mother would advise him in such situations. The lyrics focus heavily on the hardships of life, with references to the difficulty of the journey and the feeling of being alone at the "edge of the world."
The repeated chorus of "solid ground" is a reflection on finding a sense of groundedness, a sense of security, and safety amidst an uncertain journey. The lyrics also allude to the importance of self-reflection and self-awareness as a means of navigating through the hard times in life. The repetition of the phrase "solid ground" throughout the song serves as a reminder or a mantra to keep going, to keep searching for that sense of stability and safety. The overall mood of the song is introspective, melancholy, and reflective.
Line by Line Meaning
How does it feel when it's quiet and calm?
What are the emotions stirring within me during peaceful times?
And will I be denied?
Am I destined for failure?
How will it feel when it's time to move on?
What emotions will I experience when it's time to leave?
Mother says kneel and pray
Reflecting on the advice given by my mother to seek divine intervention
When it gets hard, I will roll those sleeves
I will work harder and persevere when things become challenging
Life can be so unkind
The challenges and difficulties that life presents
I will be found on the edge of the world
My struggles can often make me feel alone and isolated
Where there'll be no one around
In my moments of hardship, I will often feel alone and unsupported
Oh, solid ground
A desire for security and stability
How does it feel to be on your own?
What emotions arise when one is alone and unaccompanied?
No one to understand
A sense of isolation and lack of support
I know I'm here and I don't belong
A sense of not fitting in or belonging
I'm on my knees today
A day of introspection and prayer
When it gets dark, I will know no fear
I will be brave and unafraid in moments of darkness and uncertainty
Hanging around on the edge of the world
Continuing to struggle and feel alone and unsupported
Finally no one around
A complete sense of isolation and loneliness
Oh, would you help me?
A plea for support and assistance
I don't understand
Feeling lost and uncertain
Is it over?
Wondering if there is any hope for the future
Am I losing solid ground?
Feeling as though stability and security are slipping away
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Solid ground
A desire for security and stability
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Burton, Dean Josiah, Michael Samuel Kiwanuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
B6 Gaming
Listening to this makes me feel like I’m the only person around. So alone but so at peace
Boa Boa
👁
SCVinyl
wow you actually describe this feeling so well
Dana
Very well said!
OneFACE7
Yes
Σέριφος λάντ | serifosland
Theres no doubt that he is the most talented artist in our time.
Robert Bieganski
It's true
mporter123456
Check out Black Pumas but I really like this guy!
Σέριφος λάντ | serifosland
@mporter123456 Will do!
joachim dahl
well,, you havent heard me yet...