(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano

Sampha's song "(No One Knows Me) Like The Piano" is a deeply personal and emotional piece that explores the intimate relationship between the artist and his piano, which resides in his mother's home. The piano is not just an instrument but a symbol of comfort, identity, and emotional expression. It represents a constant in Sampha's life, a source of solace and understanding that has been with him since he was three years old. The piano is personified as a confidant that knows him better than anyone else, highlighting the profound connection between music and personal history.

The lyrics also touch on themes of growth and departure. Sampha acknowledges that he has left his mother's home and ventured out into the world, but the piano remains a touchstone that he can always return to. This reflects the universal experience of leaving home and the bittersweet nature of independence. Despite the physical distance, the emotional bond with the piano—and by extension, his mother and his childhood home—remains unbroken. The piano serves as a metaphor for the enduring nature of familial love and the way it shapes one's identity.

The song also delves into the pain of loss and the struggle to cope with it. The mention of an angel by his mother's side and the acknowledgment that it was her time to go suggests a poignant moment of grief. Yet, Sampha chooses to keep his feelings close, perhaps finding solace in the piano's presence. The piano, in this context, becomes a vessel for his unspoken emotions, a way to process and express his grief. Through this, Sampha illustrates the therapeutic power of music and its ability to capture and convey the deepest of human emotions.