About 10 years later, he first started with small performances in churches and the like until he finally released his next solo record in 2015 "Human". Aged 37 meanwhile, he decided to leave the childish sounding nick Paddy behind and has switched to his full given name. He's still called Paddy by friends, fans, family and colleagues.
In 2016 he released "Ruah" , followed by "iD" in 2017.
All of his solo albums had notable success in Germany with "Human" and "iD" reaching top ten.
Michael Patrick is married and lives in Dublin. Because of his solo career (touring in 2017/2018) he did not join the reunion of The Kelly Family in 2017. He is also a part of the German music tv show "Sing meinen Song" (Sing my Song) where several musicians cover songs of each other (and other artists) and interpret them in new ways.
Awake
Michael Patrick Kelly Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Long ago, little child
"You do what you're told!"
Daddy tamed you, too wild
So "Act like you're old!"
Then mommy had to go, you had to star the show
Almost buried your fire
Awa-awake, awake my inner child
Awa-awake, bring me back to life
Awa-awake, awake my inner child (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, let me dance in the wild (awake, awake)
All alone in the dark
No one heard you cry
Holding on to your spark
And hoping for light
Those years are long ago
And it's time to welcome home
Your new fire
Awa-awake, awake my inner child (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, bring me back to life (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, awake my inner child (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, let me dance in the wild (awake, awake)
Run away, old man run away
Run away, old man run away
Run away, old man run away from me
Run away, old man run away
Run away, old man run away
Run away, old man run away from me
Your new fire
Awa-awake, awake my inner child (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, and bring me back to life (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, awake my inner child (awake, awake)
Awa-awake, and let me dance in the wild (awake, awake)
In this song, Michael Patrick Kelly speaks to his inner child, encouraging him to come alive and embrace the wildness that was taken away from him when he was young. He talks about how he was told to behave and act like an adult, which almost suffocated the fire within him. In the second verse, he talks about feeling alone and forgotten, but holding onto his spark and hoping for light. However, he has now realized that it's time to welcome back his new fire and awaken his inner child.
The chorus is a repetitive call to awaken his inner child, to bring him back to life and let him dance in the wild. The bridge is interesting because it talks about the old man running away from him, which can be interpreted as his adult self running away from the wildness and freedom of childhood. However, he embraces this new fire and calls for it to come alive once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Awa-awake, awake my inner child
Let go of the past, and rediscover the creativity, curiosity, and enthusiasm that was once present in you as a child.
Long ago, little child
Refers to the time when the singer was a child, free and full of wonder.
"You do what you're told!"
The child's father or authority figure told them to behave and be mature.
Daddy tamed you, too wild
The child was too wild and was disciplined by their father; their freedom and playfulness were tamed.
So "Act like you're old!"
The father wants the child to grow up and act like an adult, leaving behind their childish behavior.
Then mommy had to go, you had to star the show
The singer's mother is no longer present, and they are now responsible for their own life and choices.
Almost buried your fire
Through the hardships they encountered, the child's passion, talent, and creativity almost died.
Awa-awake, bring me back to life
The artist acknowledges their lost creativity and enthusiasm, and wants to awaken it once more.
All alone in the dark
The artist was alone, lost and with no direction in life.
No one heard you cry
Nobody paid attention to the artist's struggles and feelings of being lost and alone.
Holding on to your spark
The singer held onto their passion and talent, despite feeling lost and alone.
And hoping for light
The artist was hoping for guidance, for something or someone to light their path in life.
Those years are long ago
The difficult times have passed and are now in the past.
And it's time to welcome home
It is time to return to their true self and let their talent and creativity flourish once again.
Run away, old man run away from me
The singer wants to break away from their older self, who lacked creativity and passion, and embrace their inner child.
Your new fire
The artist has managed to revive their inner child and reignite their passion, creativity, and talent.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Nils Ruzicka, George Rosenblum, Michael Patrick Kelly, Clayton Damoy Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind