Love & Hate by Michael Kiwanuka Lyrics Meaning – A Deep Dive into the Soulful Battleground
Lyrics
Calling all the people here to see the show
Calling for my demons now to let me go
I need something, give me something wonderful
I believe
She won’t take me somewhere I’m not supposed to be
You can’t steal the things that God has given me
No more pain and no more shame and misery
You can’t take me down
You can’t break me down
You can’t take me down
You can’t take me down
You can’t break me down
You can’t take me down
Love and hate
How much more are we supposed to tolerate
Can’t you see there’s more to me than my mistakes
Sometimes I get this feeling makes me hesitate
I believe
She won’t take me somewhere I’m not supposed to be
You can’t steal the things that god has given me
No more pain and no more shame and misery
You can’t take me down
You can’t break me down
You can’t take me down
You can’t break me down
You can’t take me down
You can’t break me down
I can see a place of trouble
And I’m on the verge
For the love of everybody
I did something wrong
Now I feel some days of trouble (I would stay way)
In the hospital (I would stay way)
For the love of everybody (I would stay way)
But behind a wall (I would stay way)
Standing now
Calling all the people here to see the show
Calling for my demons now to let me go
I need something, give me something wonderful
In the lush landscape of modern soul music, Michael Kiwanuka stands out as an artist capable of weaving profound narratives with a sound that’s simultaneously classic and fresh. His song ‘Love & Hate’, a standout track from his second album of the same name, encapsulates a journey that is deeply personal and yet, universally resonant. It’s a song that goes beyond the mere arrangement of chords and verses—it’s an anthem that speaks to the core of human resilience and vulnerability.
As we dissect the haunting lyrics of ‘Love & Hate’, we find ourselves delving into the complexities of the human spirit, the struggle for self-acceptance, and the eternal conflict between light and darkness that resides within us all. Each verse, each chorus, each line delivered by Kiwanuka’s rich vocals, echoes with the weight of meaning, inviting listeners into a reflective odyssey that paints a vivid picture of the human condition.
The Battle Cry Against Internal Demons
The opening line of ‘Love & Hate’ makes a bold declaration: ‘Standing now, calling all the people here to see the show.’ Kiwanuka sets the stage for a public reckoning, an intimate performance where he confronts his inner demons under the watchful eyes of an imagined audience. This is more than a metaphorical display; it’s an admission of vulnerability that reveals the universal struggle to overcome the parts of ourselves that keep us from liberation.
This confrontation is amplified by his demand for the demons ‘to let me go,’ a plea for release and a testament to the power of recognizing one’s own need for change. It is in this vulnerable state that Kiwanuka seeks ‘something wonderful’—a salvation, whether spiritual or emotional, that provides solace amidst the turmoil.
A Defiant Stand Against External Forces
Kiwanuka’s declaration, ‘You can’t take me down, you can’t break me down,’ resonates as a mantra of resilience. In the repetition of these lines, there’s a strengthening of resolve, a shield being fortified against the adversaries that threaten to erode his spirit. This lyrical steadfastness isn’t just a personal affirmation; it’s a collective call-to-arms, where listeners can find themselves repeating the mantra, facing their own battles.
The invincibility Kiwanuka asserts highlights a defiance that feels almost spiritual in nature. It’s an assertion that, regardless of the circumstance, the essence of who he is—granted by a divine presence or ‘the things that God has given me’—cannot be taken by any earthly power. This passage provides comfort and courage not just in the face of personal adversities, but societal and systemic ones as well.
A Chorus That Challenges Our Capacity for Love & Hate
At the heart of the song, both figuratively and literally, is the chorus: ‘Love and hate, how much more are we supposed to tolerate?’ Here is where Kiwanuka’s message branches out into a broader social commentary. It’s a rhetorical question that calls attention to the dual nature of human emotions and the balance—or imbalance—of those within society.
One cannot listen to these lines without contemplating the current social climate, rife with division and confrontation. Kiwanuka seems to be asking if there is a limit to how much we, as individuals and as a community, can bear before we break—or before we rise. It’s a gentle yet powerful reminder that despite the number of mistakes we make, there is more to everyone than meets the eye, and every person deserves the opportunity for redemption.
The Hidden Meaning Behind The Wall
In a haunting bridge, Kiwanuka sings of days ‘in the hospital’ and behind a ‘wall,’ metaphors that suggest confinement, both self-imposed and external. This confinement can be interpreted in several ways: from the mental constraints we put on ourselves due to fear and doubt, to the physical and societal walls that keep us from reaching our true potential.
These lyrics present a picture of an individual on the ‘verge’ of succumbing to these forces, underscoring the fine line we walk between succumbing to our troubles and overcoming them. Yet, even as he acknowledges this place of trouble, his refrain, ‘I need something, give me something wonderful,’ feels like a hopeful incantation. There’s a searching, a yearning for transcendence that’s both desperate and beautiful—the hallmark of a soul that refuses to be defined by affliction.
Memorable Lines Etched in the Soul
‘Calling for my demons now to let me go, I need something, give me something wonderful.’ These lines sink deep into the conscience of anyone grappling with personal anguish. Kiwanuka manages to capture the profound desire to be free from whatever binds the spirit, be it past regrets, future anxieties, or the struggle to simply be at peace with oneself.
The repetition of the word ‘something’ echoes the universality of the search for meaning or a reprieve; it’s simultaneously specific and all-encompassing. It’s this lyrical simplicity and elegance that enables these words to act as both solace and inspiration, allowing each listener to assign their own meaning to what ‘something wonderful’ might be within their own lives. It is, perhaps, the kernel of truth at the heart of ‘Love & Hate’: the unending quest for something greater amidst the tumult of our own humanity.
