Talking about the main theme of the track, it is rather inspiring and positive, as Michael invites every listener (and, probably, himself) to stay firm with hope, faith and patience even during the hard times, by thus avoiding every attempt of self-shaming.
You Ain't The Problem
Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
Love makes you blind
I hope to find
Who I believe in
Get back in line
I can't deny myself
Show me the feeling
Oh, you got me wrong
If you don't belong
Live in the trouble
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem (I know)
I lived a lie
Love is the crime
It's you I believe in (I know)
No need to play myself
No need to die
I'm only human (I know)
I'm done, you got to put me on
I know when you come along
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
I point the gun
They shoot for fun
You are the problem
I try to help myself
You are the one
Do all the talkin'
You got me wrong
I caught you fallin'
I hear you callin'
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem (I know)
I lived a dream
I hope to be
Who I believe in (I know)
I used to hate myself
You got the key
Break out the prison (I know)
Ah, I hope to never see time passin'
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
La la la la la la la
La la la la la
The song "You Ain't the Problem" by Michael Kiwanuka is a soulful and reflective piece about finding oneself and overcoming hurdles in life. In the opening lines, he repeats "la la la" to create an upbeat yet uncertain mood, which complements the lyrics well. He then sings about love and hoping to find someone to believe in while acknowledging that love can make one blind. In the chorus, Kiwanuka reassures himself that the person he is addressing isn't the problem and time will eventually heal his pain.
The next verse begins with a metaphorical gun, which may represent the pain or struggle that Kiwanuka has faced, while the person he is addressing is the one who talks too much but doesn't provide a solution to his problems. The artist continues to emphasize that he has lived a lie and hopes to be the person he believes in. He also mentions that he used to hate himself and is now finding the courage to break out of his self-imposed prison.
Overall, "You Ain't the Problem" is a soulful reflection on finding oneself and overcoming the pain that comes with love or other struggles in life.
Line by Line Meaning
La la la la la la la
The song starts with a series of meaningless sounds that are used as filler words for the music
La la la la la
The same meaningless filler words are used again in the next line
Love makes you blind
Being in love can cloud one's judgment and prevent them from seeing a situation clearly
I hope to find
The artist desires to discover or uncover something new or meaningful related to their love life
Who I believe in
The artist is searching for someone they can trust and rely on for emotional support
Get back in line
The singer is telling themselves to regain focus and stay on track with their goals and priorities
I can't deny myself
The singer knows that they cannot ignore their own feelings and needs
Show me the feeling
The artist wants to experience a genuine emotional connection with someone
Oh, you got me wrong
The artist believes that someone has misunderstood them or their intentions
If you don't belong
The artist is questioning whether someone fits into their life or relationship
Live in the trouble
The singer is accepting that there may be difficulties or conflicts in their love life
Don't hesitate
The artist is urging themselves to take action or make a decision
Time heals the pain
The singer is confident that with time, their emotional pain and struggles will lessen
You ain't the problem (I know)
The singer is reassuring themselves that their love interest is not the source of their problems or pain
I lived a lie
The singer has been living in a false reality or fooling themselves about something related to love
Love is the crime
The artist feels that being in love is causing them to behave in ways that are wrong or hurtful
It's you I believe in (I know)
The artist is confident that their love interest is the one they can trust and have faith in
No need to play myself
The singer is telling themselves to be honest and authentic with their emotions and actions
No need to die
The singer is using a metaphor for the importance of self-care and self-preservation
I'm only human (I know)
The artist acknowledges their own fallibility and limitations
I'm done, you got to put me on
The artist is asking their love interest to take the lead and guide them in the relationship
I know when you come along
The artist is confident that they will recognize when they have found the right person for them
I point the gun
The singer is using a metaphor for feeling a sense of danger or violence in their relationship
They shoot for fun
The artist feels that they are being targeted or victimized in their love life
You are the problem
The singer is shifting blame onto their love interest for causing difficulties or stress in the relationship
I try to help myself
The singer is attempting to find ways to improve their emotional well-being and relieve their own pain
You are the one
The singer is declaring their love interest as the most important person in their life
Do all the talkin'
The artist is allowing their love interest to do most of the communication and leading in the relationship
You got me wrong
The artist feels that their love interest does not truly understand them or their feelings
I caught you fallin'
The singer may have saved their love interest from a mistake or problem, or proved them wrong in some way
I hear you callin'
The singer is responding to their love interest's emotional needs and requests for attention
I lived a dream
The artist has been experiencing a positive fantasy or illusion related to love
I hope to be
The artist has aspirations for a future version of themselves that is more fulfilled and happy
You got the key
The artist believes that their love interest holds the solution or answer to their problems or pain
Break out the prison (I know)
The singer is ready to let go of their emotional baggage and move forward in their love life
Ah, I hope to never see time passin'
The artist is cherishing the present moment and praying that it lasts forever
You ain't the problem
The chorus is repeated again to reinforce the idea that the love interest is not causing the singer's problems or pain
La la la la la la la
The meaningless filler words are repeated again to close out the song
La la la la la
The same meaningless filler words are repeated a final time
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Brian Burton, Dean Cover, Michael Samuel Kiwanuka
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@bruno123321ism
Love makes you blind
I hope to find
Who I believe in
Get back in line
I can't deny myself
Show me the feeling
Oh, you got me wrong
If you don't belong
Live in the trouble
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem (I know)
I lived a lie
Love is the crime
It's you I believe in (I know)
No need to play myself
No need to die
I'm only human (I know)
I'm done, you got to put me on
I know when you come along
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem
I point the gun
They shoot for fun
You are the problem
I try to help myself
You are the one
Do all the talkin'
You got me wrong
I caught you fallin'
I hear you callin'
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem (I know)
I lived a dream
I hope to be
Who I believe in (I know)
I used to hate myself
You got the key
Break out the prison (I know)
Ah, I hope to never see time passin'
Don't hesitate
Time heals the pain
You ain't the problem
@spacedancer7511
The Gap commercial brought me here and I ain’t disappointed at all!😍
@BigCheefaDaOG
Me too G😂
@PrinceKhori
Yep
@BigCheefaDaOG
Ain nothin like some good music. I like dat 70s sound too.
@jadejenkins9307
Same here 💓
@Phyoomz
had to shazam that joint real quick
@jammawun
This song is one of the reasons independent radio will never die. I heard it on 90.5 and bought the album an hour later, which is incredible!
@craindrelescuillieres6629
I started seasonal work in HMV, heard this as the manager was a fan, bought the vinyl on my first paycheck, one of the best albums of the last 20 years no doubt. The journey, the emotion, etc up there with the likes of Nocturnes and Good Kid Maad City for just amazing complete movements.
@Phyoomz
Popular Opinion: If this song had come out in the 60's, Michael Kiwanuka would've been a household name.
@3eyez824
Yes! Timeless sound