From the sleeve notes for the latest release End Titles...Stories For Film released in July 2008, the current line-up is stated as James Lavelle and Pablo Clements, also a member of the Psychonauts.
The original line-up was James Lavelle, Tim Goldsworthy (now a member of DFA) and Kudo (Major Force West, Skylab). This incarnation released several EPs and singles, usually involving collaborations with other Mo'Wax affiliated artists.
In 1998, after the departure of Goldsworthy and Kudo, Lavelle enlisted US producer DJ Shadow to help complete UNKLE's debut album, "Psyence Fiction". On this album they collaborated with a variety of guest artists including Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Mike D (Beastie Boys), Badly Drawn Boy and Richard Ashcroft (The Verve). The album contained songs which merged indie-rock with hip hop.
In 2003 UNKLE released "Never, Never, Land". At this time UNKLE consisted of Lavelle and new collaborator Richard File, and the album also featured Ian Brown (The Stone Roses), Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), Mani (The Stone Roses, Primal Scream) and others.
A third album entitled "War Stories" was released in July 2007. It features collaborations with Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age), Ian Astbury (The Cult), Autolux, Robert Del Naja (Massive Attack), The Duke Spirit, and Gavin Clark, and is far more strongly rock-influenced than previous releases. The album was preceded by an EP, Nights Temper, of which a limited pressing was released in May 2007.
Lavelle has also released several mix albums and remixes under his own name and under the name UNKLEsounds (together with Richard File).
UNKLE is known for remixing music from artists such as Explosions in the Sky, Massive Attack, and Oasis.
On My Knees
UNKLE Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
That love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I know that I play the game
But I'll never be ashamed
I'm not trying to pass the blame
I'm just trying to protect my name
But you know I would die for you
What you dreamin', it can't be true
I can see how you tarnish me
How you gave me the third degree
I don't need to apologize
I could lie to you every night
When you stole from me everything
You just gave me a song to sing
You can leave me inside to die
What you mean is I never cry
There are things we can never see
I need God, would you pray for me?
We've been lost in the memory
All the darkness was meant to be
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
Love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I know that I play the game
But I'll never be ashamed
Whoa, on my knees
Oh, and I can't be
I can hear angels sing
I'm tired of the place I'm in
Whoa, holy ground
Give me the sweetest sound
I know where I'd rather be
The silence is heavenly
If I paint you a masterpiece
Would my pain and my hurt decrease?
If I'm able to make you cry
Would you love me and want me more?
I just want you to understand
That I'm only a broken man
And my heart it can only show
All the things we can never know
There's no need to apologize
We'll get back to the other side
I been walkin' on solid ground
Wait 'til you see what I have found
I've prayed for the stars above
I'm no longer the man you loved
I've become who I meant to be
When I needed you next to me
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
Whoa, I believe, I believe, whoa, whoa
I believe, oh
I believe, yeah
Oh, I believe
That I'ma walk away
Oh, I believe
I'm walkin' now
Oh, I believe
Oh, oh, I believe
Oh, now, oh, I can see, yeah
Oh, I believe
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
That love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I can hear angels sing
Tired of the place I'm in
The main theme of Michael Kiwanuka's song On My Knees is a plea for love despite the mistakes he has made and the struggles he has faced in the past. He is asking for forgiveness and understanding from his partner while acknowledging that he has played games and made mistakes that have caused damage to the relationship. He expresses his love and devotion by saying he would die for her, but he also acknowledges that there are things he doesn't understand and some things can never be seen.
The singer is also seeking redemption and a higher power's guidance, as he admits he needs God's help and asks others to pray for him. He finds solace in silence and holy ground, but he longs for more and prays for the stars above. The song ends on a hopeful note, as the singer states he is walking away from his past and toward his true self.
Overall, the song On My Knees is a reflection on love, forgiveness, and redemption. It is about the struggles and mistakes that we make in relationships, and the need for understanding, empathy, and support from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Whoa, on my knees
I am in a position of submission and vulnerability
Whoa, I can't breathe
I feel suffocated and overwhelmed
All that I ever prayed
My deepest desires and hopes
That love would be where I stayed
I long to find a place of love and stability
Whoa, I can see
I have a clearer understanding
All that I believe
My core beliefs and values
I know that I play the game
I understand the social dynamics and rules
But I'll never be ashamed
I will not be embarrassed about who I am
I'm not trying to pass the blame
I am not avoiding responsibility
I'm just trying to protect my name
I am defending my reputation
But you know I would die for you
I am willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for you
What you dreamin', it can't be true
Your idealistic dreams are unrealistic
I can see how you tarnish me
I perceive how you damage my image
How you gave me the third degree
You interrogated me harshly
I don't need to apologize
I do not owe anyone an apology
I could lie to you every night
I have the ability to deceive you constantly
When you stole from me everything
You took everything away from me
You just gave me a song to sing
I found inspiration in your betrayal
You can leave me inside to die
You can abandon me to my fate
What you mean is I never cry
You think I am emotionally detached
There are things we can never see
Some truths are beyond our comprehension
I need God, would you pray for me?
I am seeking divine intervention
We've been lost in the memory
We have been consumed by the past
All the darkness was meant to be
All the hardships had a purpose
Oh, and I can't be
I am unable to continue in this state
I can hear angels sing
I am experiencing something divine
I'm tired of the place I'm in
I am exhausted of my current situation
Give me the sweetest sound
I seek beauty and joy
I know where I'd rather be
I have a clear vision of my desired destination
The silence is heavenly
The absence of noise is blissful
If I paint you a masterpiece
If I create something truly beautiful
Would my pain and my hurt decrease?
Will my emotional wounds heal?
If I'm able to make you cry
If I can move you deeply
Would you love me and want me more?
Will you love and accept me unconditionally?
I just want you to understand
I desire clarity and empathy
That I'm only a broken man
I am a flawed human being
And my heart it can only show
I can only express myself authentically
All the things we can never know
There are limits to our knowledge
There's no need to apologize
There is nothing to be sorry for
We'll get back to the other side
We will overcome our difficulties
I been walkin' on solid ground
I have found stability and security
Wait 'til you see what I have found
You will be amazed by my discoveries
I've prayed for the stars above
I have wished for great things
I'm no longer the man you loved
I have changed and evolve
I've become who I meant to be
I have fulfilled my destiny
When I needed you next to me
During the times I felt most alone and vulnerable
Oh, I believe
I have faith
That I'ma walk away
I will leave behind my past
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jack Leonard, James Gabriel Leo Lavelle, Michael Samuel Kiwanuka, Wil Malone
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@charlottemaclean6365
[Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
That love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I know that I play the game
But I'll never be ashamed
[Verse 1]
I'm not trying to pass the blame
I'm just trying to protect my name
But you know I would die for you
What you dreamin', it can't be true
I can see how you tarnish me
How you gave me the third degree
I don't need to apologize
I could lie to you every night
When you stole from me everything
You just gave me a song to sing
You can leave me inside to die
What you mean is I never cry
There are things we can never see
I need God, would you pray for me?
We've been lost in the memory
All the darkness was meant to be
Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
Love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I know that I play the game
But I'll never be ashamed
[Post-Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Oh, and I can't be
I can hear angels sing
I'm tired of the place I'm in
Whoa, holy ground
Give me the sweetest sound
I know where I'd rather be
The silence is heavenly
[Verse 2]
If I paint you a masterpiece
Would my pain and my hurt decrease?
If I'm able to make you cry
Would you love me and want me more?
I just want you to understand
That I'm only a broken man
And my heart it can only show
All the things we can never know
There's no need to apologize
We'll get back to the other side
I been walkin' on solid ground
Wait 'til you see what I have found
I've prayed for the stars above
I'm no longer the man you loved
I've become who I meant to be
When I needed you next to me
[Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
Whoa, I believe, I believe, whoa, whoa
[Bridge]
I believe, oh
I believe, yeah
Oh, I believe
That I'ma walk away
Oh, I believe
I'm walkin' now
Oh, I believe
Oh, oh, I believe
Oh, now, oh, I can see, yeah
Oh, I believe
[Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
That love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I can hear angels sing
Tired of the place I'm in
@ValeriaWilde87
I love Michael,I love UNKLE and I LOVE music with strings!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
@MrJasonvanbrusselen
My father had a stroke and I listened to this song on repeat while sitting in the hospital for over two weeks waiting for him to come back to life , this song was the soundtrack that passed the time and helped me cope ... listened to this while watching so many families cry together for whatever they were going through... unkle came with this one just in time ....forever with thanks and respect
@stanmajorosi9387
You have this comment on various different songs or you just copied somebodys else comment.
@MrJasonvanbrusselen
@@stanmajorosi9387 sorry you're wrong , I haven't commented this on other songs , nor did I steal this comment from anyone else , lol my dad really had a stroke . Not sure what you're purpose is
@stanmajorosi9387
@@MrJasonvanbrusselen if you saying true. then i am sorry and i do apologise. but i swear i saw the same comment somewhere else
@MrJasonvanbrusselen
One year later, my father is doing great, at home staying busy and is healthy . Hes about to be a grandfather now , I'll have my son in 3 months ... I'm still listening
@charlottemaclean6365
[Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
That love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I know that I play the game
But I'll never be ashamed
[Verse 1]
I'm not trying to pass the blame
I'm just trying to protect my name
But you know I would die for you
What you dreamin', it can't be true
I can see how you tarnish me
How you gave me the third degree
I don't need to apologize
I could lie to you every night
When you stole from me everything
You just gave me a song to sing
You can leave me inside to die
What you mean is I never cry
There are things we can never see
I need God, would you pray for me?
We've been lost in the memory
All the darkness was meant to be
Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
Love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I know that I play the game
But I'll never be ashamed
[Post-Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Oh, and I can't be
I can hear angels sing
I'm tired of the place I'm in
Whoa, holy ground
Give me the sweetest sound
I know where I'd rather be
The silence is heavenly
[Verse 2]
If I paint you a masterpiece
Would my pain and my hurt decrease?
If I'm able to make you cry
Would you love me and want me more?
I just want you to understand
That I'm only a broken man
And my heart it can only show
All the things we can never know
There's no need to apologize
We'll get back to the other side
I been walkin' on solid ground
Wait 'til you see what I have found
I've prayed for the stars above
I'm no longer the man you loved
I've become who I meant to be
When I needed you next to me
[Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
Whoa, I believe, I believe, whoa, whoa
[Bridge]
I believe, oh
I believe, yeah
Oh, I believe
That I'ma walk away
Oh, I believe
I'm walkin' now
Oh, I believe
Oh, oh, I believe
Oh, now, oh, I can see, yeah
Oh, I believe
[Chorus]
Whoa, on my knees
Whoa, I can't breathe
All that I ever prayed
That love would be where I stayed
Whoa, I can see
All that I believe
I can hear angels sing
Tired of the place I'm in
@jayzgurlie71573
Sups cool u posted lyrics. 💗
@EveningEcho89
Would love to see more collaborations between these 2.
@getthoseskills4451
Totally amazing track.
Loving Unkle, and other darker trip hop acts like
Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, HTDA, Allflaws