Michael Kiwanuka’s “Cold Little Heart” Lyrics Meaning
“Cold Little Heart” captures the intrinsic emotions of a man who doubts himself. He gets so discouraged that he claims he cannot stand himself and might actually die due to the state of his heart.
It is unclear the exact events that have led this person into thinking this way. However, he reveals that he has been playing pretentious games his whole life and is ashamed of it. It seems he’s aware that he has not done the best for the people close to him and it is this pain that causes him to feel more remorseful.
In the end, he is a bit optimistic that if he puts in more effort, things could get better. However, his doubt kicks in again and he believes he might be wrong considering his past failures.
More Detailed Explanation of the Lyrics of “Cold Little Heart”
This song is actually premised, excuse us to say, on a feeling of self-hatred on part of the vocalist. For he is able to perceive that it is he who possesses the titular “cold little heart”. And as presented in the lyrics, what that designation most notably entails is the vocalist having a strong, destructive even, sense of pride. And being overtaken by such a personality type has had an adverse effect on his relationship with the addressee.
Now the nature of this relationship is never forthrightly revealed. However, what is pretty clear is that he or she is one of Michael’s loved ones. And for the sake of argument, we will presume it is a romantic interest which, all lyrics considered, is probably the most logical explanation anyway.
It should be noted that even though Cold Little Heart in its entirety may be a relatively lengthy song, the wording itself is terse and to some degree repetitive. So there really isn’t a lot being said, and it requires some imagination to connect the different pieces. But most simply explained, what appears to be going down is that the vocalist is in his feelings due to “this cold heart” he possesses gradually destroying his relationship with the addressee.
And accordingly, the song concludes along the lines of said vocalist, once again it would seem, re-committing himself to behaving better in the name of maintaining his union with the addressee.
Summary
The vocalist understands his “cold little heart” is destroying his relationship with a loved one and wants to rectify the situation.
“Cold Little Heart” Facts
- “Cold Little Heart” was released on July 15, 2016. It is one of the songs the Love and Hate album by Michael Kiwanuka.
- It was produced by Danger Mouse in collaboration with Inflo.
- According to Michael, classic British guitar bands such as Pink Floyd and singers like Isaac Hayes influenced the direction of the song.
- The song featured on HBOs Big Little Lies.
- With a total length of 10:10, this is the longest of the 10 tracks on Love & Hate.
Did Michael Kiwanuka release “Cold Little Heart” as a single?
No. Love and Hate was preceded by only three singles. “Cold Little Heart” wasn’t one of these singles. However, it is one of the most popular tracks from the album. It is actually one of Michael’s most successful songs.
I think the lyrics are ” I can live or I can lie”, and could be based on a step 5 of the 12 step program… ” make a fearless, honest moral inventory of ourselves “.
I think every interpretation I’ve read so far is correct. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s true. The song has many interpretations, and none of them wrong. It’s your own interpretation that will be correct. And it may change. That too, I believe, will still be correct. This is an honest cry for help from deep within the soul. Wanting forgiveness but not feeling Worthy. Michael kiwanuka is one of the most talented singer-songwriters to come along since Bob Dylan or John Lennon or Tupac. As a singer-songwriter myself I’m always envious and sometimes just flat-out jealous of how somebody so talented makes it look so easy.
This is my understanding. Thanks for clarifying for me
This is about addiction. His realization how it’s destroying him and he doesn’t have the faith in himself that he can beat it.
Ultimately when we feel we have hit rock bottom with so much pain and suffering trying to cope with your own inner feelings and by no regards of your children decisions regarding their future you find yourself in a flat lined crossed road. You shelter and love them and the outcome is diminished to zero. There’s always hope and things get better but nothing will ever take this indescribable feeling of dispair. These lyrics touch my inner core and I can see it can have many meanings but in this case I relate to my present situation.
Yes Luz, that’s it.. the feeling I get too.. total despair, regret… wish I could go back and change things .. it’s done though.. it’s too late for me
It’s my suicide song
I think it’s about addiction to Sue, such an emotional song
I thought so too Sue especially how in the beginning of the video of this song it starts with him in a car on a gloomy day and he’s kind of hunched over and I almost expected to see him doing some type of drug but he was actually waiting for his son a younger version of him. I can relate to every word of this song. As mentioned earlier it’s different for everyone and no one is wrong. The last time I saw my sister in hospital I showed her this song and she really loved it too. I wonder what it meant to her. I should have asked. She had me play it on our last few visits. Simply beautiful.
Since I first heard this song I’ve thought it was about someone being scared of coming out… and I second the idea of the lyrics being “I can live or I can lie”
yes, it sounds about right – and the music video capture that very nicely
Yes, being scared or is he ashamed of his feelings?
No damn clue, the lyrics haunt me- I want them to fit my own life scenario, but it’s just not fair to this amazing song. Bless all who enjoy and work through their own interpretations .
I love this song. It diffenitly makes me relive the cycle of addiction in my mind. Prayers for my brother.
My dad died recently and he was the only one to truly believe in me. I’ve fought depression my entire life and all he wanted was for me to be happy. In the video it looks like the dad dies. I personally see it as I have to be true to myself and be happy for him.
I feel a similar thing about this song, but because I am estranged from my daughter… she’s not dead, nor am I, but the sense of loss is great. I just have to keep trying my best and never give up , even if it doesn’t work out in the end, at least I have no regrets
Wow, shows a great song to have that impact ❤️
I agree with all hear the clip and song is ambiguous, thus helps and heals everyone off us. After so much pain in the last 10 years I take solace and joy that we still have artist like michael. There is still hope for us all and what we have transgressed in the past, the future offers possibilities to heal and amend. Take care peoples be kind
obviously about being gay and trying to come out .but whatever ,a great great song
This song makes my heart ache for me, for him, for anyone whom, at some point in their journey, felt completely powerless and hopeless. The moves me more on some days than others . I listen to it 3-4 times a week because I saved it to 3 different playlists. Today it brought tears thinking about my little brother whose name also happens to be Michael, who lost his battle with the demons of addiction and mental illness. Yesterday, I was happily humming
under warm summer sun, working in my garden, the melody is so sweet. Thank You Michael K. You have touched thousands of people with this jam.
I love this song. Sometimes I cry and sometimes it empowers me. It’s such a haunting song. It takes you to the end and back. you can either feel yourself come alive and strive for the betterment, or believe you’re not worth it and let your “cold little heart” die…
I feel this song is about a man and a teenager. The man spends time with the boy, teaching him to drive, having fun, eating. Then the man senses danger and bad weather ahead. Something happens..either the man dies or the boy kills him and then he is remorseful. His cold little heart has taken over
I believe this song is about a man that knows he has no capacity to truly love. “If I just try, you’ll believe in you and I” he doesn’t really feel it but if he try’s he can convince the other of his “love” That’s why he feels ashamed and knows he’s been playing games all his life. Because ultimately he can only pretend. It will always end the same way due to his dumbed cold heart. He knows who he is, but he try’s regardless.
In the video the speaker is sitting in the car while the other man is watching the hurricane with the eye of the storm passing over, also dancing in the rain. At the end it seems he just gets in the car with him like they are going for another ride together. The eye of the storm has passed and time for another go at the cycle.
Essential I believe this song is about abuse and abusive cycles that we can find ourselves in. It’s honest, raw and I listen to it now and then. It makes me think about the guy that broke my heart. It also brings me comfort in a weird way cause the singer or speaker admits who he is and the guy I was with never did. The sad thing is people that feel like this is because they were hurt or not given the love they needed as a child and the people they abuse also come from similar environment. It is a very brave thing to sing about this. I don’t know if this is the artists own experience and if it is I hope he knows how many people
He has soothed with his words. It’s so rare to find a true artist that doesn’t mind their shadow on display to the world.
Emma…very insightful and so articulate! It was my take as well!
Thank you, Jennifer
“Wow” [which really “that” word doesn’t do justice to the way I feel about the ability u have to explain ur thoughts (& mine as well)]. Tu for ur post Emma, it allowed many of my thoughts out of my head to be put into black & white print. U really nailed it when u spoke of – the person being one, that was probably not given love as a child then one he/she loved but really (unintentionally – emotionally abused) was probably not given the love as a child as well. And like I’m RECENTLY realizing & trying to share (if u don’t deal w/ trauma from the very BEGINNING- ground zero- you will continue to have more trauma & adding to the already said trauma & unfortunately (for all involved/really the whole world) that keeps going on & on forever, building an endless pile of you know what of trauma. I hate I’m 58 & just realizing this in my life, but I guess I have to be grateful, THAT I’m “finally” realizing it & admitting to myself – I’m taking my power back. Isn’t amaZing how a song or say a show (like BLL series) can open our eyes or hopefully ultimately be a part of our healing. God be w/ us all. Emma, thank YOU, again for your post. Today is 7-1-23 when I read it, & may it keep on going & touching others.
My daughter liked this song, she even texted me this song just before committing suicide!