Music Notes

(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano, by Sampha

This evening I'm settling in with a song given to me by my buddy Jeremy . He likes to tease me about my obsession with , so last week I challenged him to present me with a decent song off his own playlist and I'd listen and write about it for a change. (Thread here: "February 22, 2025"  )

Sampha is a musician from London, of Sierra Leone heritage, and this song, a single off his 2017 debut album Process, deals with the loss of his mother to cancer.

My first impression at the opening is that it's a lovely piano line. I'm not generally a fan of "piano ballads," as the ones I know fall into the monotonous category of early aughts The Fray and whatnot, but this comes across as more classical, simple and soulful. Indeed, the instrumental is a bit like a piece one might hear at the Hobby Lobby. (If you don't know Hobby Lobby music, you don't know )

Sampha's voice is clear and sincere, and the song is lightly produced, with almost no effects other than the faintest of drumbeats and a vocal stacking at 1:40. I can even hear birds singing in the moment of silence at the end.

He sings of the important role the piano has played in his and his mother's lives, keeping them close, holding his most precious memories and the deepest pain. Emotions impossible to express can be poured out in music, and he tells how from an early age the piano was his best friend, helping him navigate life's joys and tragedies.

This is a beautiful song, with a peaceful, relaxing feeling. It makes me interested to learn what other works Sampha has made and what his overall style is. I would categorize this song as classical; it doesn't come across as what I think of as "soul" or "R&B" or whatever. It's a man, singing his heart out, accompanying himself on his piano. Nothing I could possibly find to criticize here. I'll be keeping this on my playlist, and I thank Jeremy for selecting it for me.

When it comes to music videos, I often prefer to watch them through silently first, in case there's something I would rather not have associated with the song. This one passed the test, showing us Sampha at his piano and an angelic lady casting a spiritual essence.

I will probably write a Bradbury story inspired by (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano in the coming weeks; perhaps I can connect it to a faith-based prompt.

a note ▼

my personal playlist is not exclusively 1R and ID. It's stuffed with little bits of Lindsey Stirling, Simply Three, Coldplay, U2, Keane, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Alec Benjamin, Tom Petty, Twenty Øne Piløts, and a pile of pleasant one-offs ranging from Leather and Lace (Stevie Nicks and Don Henley—studio as well as demo) to Am I Wrong (Nico and Vinz.) I just have a special way of collecting music: slowly and carefully.

Words: 510.