Floating Parade

Album: Small Changes (2024)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Floating Parade" is a sonic daydream, a tune that feels like sinking into a warm bath on a cold day. Over a bed of soulful bass and dreamy strings, Michael Kiwanuka invites us to escape the all-encompassing madness for a while. It's a song about using your mind to transport yourself from an uncomfortable situation to a place where everything is calm and beautiful.

    "My plan and my intent for this song is that you can be transported while the listens to it somewhere, amazing somewhere," Kiwanuka told BBC Radio 1's Jack Saunders. "That's your utopia. And that's where I wanted to do the sound of this record. The sound of this is to create that sort of feeling of utopia and peace."
  • Michael Kiwanuka co-wrote the song with the track's producers, Danger Mouse and Inflo. The pair have served as the singer's co-songwriters and producers since his second album, Love & Hate, in 2016.
  • Released on July 10, 2024, "Floating Parade" was Kiwanuka's first music in three years since 2021's "Beautiful Life" from The Netflix documentary Convergence.
  • Kiwanuka debuted "Floating Parade" live on June 29, 2024, during his Glastonbury Festival set on the Pyramid Stage.
  • The New Orleans-based director Philip Youmans directed the video. He previously worked with Kiwanuka on his "Beautiful Life" clip.
  • "Floating Parade" topped the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart. It was Kiwanuka's first #1 on any Billboard chart.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots

Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple PilotsSongwriter Interviews

Stone Temple Pilots bass player Robert DeLeo names the songs that have most connected with fans and tells the stories behind tracks from their Tiny Music album.

Trucking Songs That Were #1 Hits

Trucking Songs That Were #1 HitsSong Writing

The stories behind the biggest hit songs about trucking.

Producer Ron Nevison

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)

Dexys (Kevin Rowland and Jim Paterson)Songwriter Interviews

"Come On Eileen" was a colossal '80s hit, but the band - far more appreciated in their native UK than stateside - released just three albums before their split. Now, Dexys is back.

Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull

Ian Anderson of Jethro TullSongwriter Interviews

The flautist frontman talks about touring with Led Zeppelin, his contribution to "Hotel California", and how he may have done the first MTV Unplugged.

Hawksley Workman

Hawksley WorkmanSongwriter Interviews

One of Canada's most popular and eclectic performers, Hawksley tells stories about his oldest songs, his plentiful side projects, and the ways that he keeps his songwriting fresh.