Wainaina first stepped into the world of music with Five Alive, a gospel a cappella group. Five Alive consisted of Victor Seii, Bob Kioko, Chris Kamau, and David Mageria, who was replaced by Joe Kiragu. They drew their musical influence from Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Take 6. Dominating Kenya's airwaves in 1995, Five Alive released their debut album ‘Five Alive’ in 1996, and even went on to tour Europe the same year. His experience with the group convinced Wainaina to pursue a professional career in music. In 1996 he performed and appeared in the video for Get in the Driver’s Seat, a song commissioned by the United Nations Drug Control Programme for a highly successful anti-drug campaign spanning 20 countries. This not only set the stage for his eventual emergence as a solo artist, but also got him into the social concern and activism that characterizes much of his music
When the group disbanded in 1997, Wainaina went on to join the Berklee College of Music in Boston—USA, from which he graduated with a degree in Music, majoring in Songwriting and Record Engineering. He graduated with honours.
During his years at Berklee, Wainaina and his band traveled to different parts of the country to perform, as well as holding regular shows in Boston. Together with his producer, Christian Kaufmann, he worked to produce a sound that would be distinctively Kenyan both in the music and the content of the lyrics. In order to do this, he made sure that he released a new track every time he returned home for vacation, This was well received by his growing fanbase, with his performance at Kenya's 'Beats of the Season’ concert in December 2000 being watched live by 15,000 fans and broadcast nationally.
His notable releases include 'Kenya Only', a song that instantly made him Kenya's favourite modern musician. After the 1998 terrorist bombing in Nairobi where over 200 Kenyans lost their lives, 'Kenya Only' was adopted as the unofficial song of mourning, receiving extensive radio and TV airplay nation-wide. His adaptation of a Kikuyu folk tune 'Ritwa Riaku' was added to the playlist of every radio station in the nation soon after.
Wainaina returned to the top of Kenya's musical agenda after he released 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo' (‘Land of Small Things’ in Kiswahili)[refers to small bribes that once were required to get the most ordinary things done] in 2001, a song that launched his crusade against rampant corruption in the country. With the chart success of 'Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo', Wainaina received international accolades. Transparency International (Kenya) supported him as an artist who would help educate people on the negativity of corruption, appointing him an ambassador. He was also appointed Ambassador for the NGO MS Kenya, Kenya Human Rights Commission and by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for his commitment to fighting the abuses to justice through music. This anthem against corruption (Nchi ya Kitu Kidogo) was not so highly appreciated in all quarters, however, with the government of the day putting up resistance to it by refusing to air it on the national broadcaster, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation. In one instance several attempts were made to keep him from performing at a national event, the Kenya Music Festival, including intimidation and attempts to switch off his microphone.
Following the suspicious death of Father Anthony Kaiser in 2003 , Wainaina was commissioned by the Mill Hill Fathers to write a song about this. This became Ukweli, a call for justice despite efforts that were being made to cover up the true nature of Father Kaiser’s death, which was reported as suicide despite strong evidence to the contrary.
In 2001, Africa Almanac.com listed him amongst the top 100 Africans of the year 2000, which included high profile names such as Nelson Mandela, Joseph Kabila, Yash Pal Ghai, Baaba Maal and Ousmane Sembène. His first record, Sawa Sawa, released in 2001, remains one of the highest-selling solo albums in the country.
Wainaina returned home from Berklee in August 2002 after his graduation with two degrees. He was also honored with the Jack Maher award for his exceptional performance as a songwriter. The annual award is given to students who have been recognized for their potential to become leaders in the international music industry.
Wainaina's music receives international appeal. He received the MNET (South Africa) award for favourite male vocalist in February 2001, and was one of the first Kenyans to receive an award for Best East African Artist at the pan-African 7th Annual KORA All Africa Music Awards on 2nd November 2002. He is also the only Kenyan artist to have performed live at the KORA ceremony. He was nominated for another KORA Award in 2003, and in 2005 he received his third Kora nomination, this time for the prestigious Artist of the Decade award.
In 2002, he played at the launch of the International Criminal Court at the UN Headquarters in New York, presided over by Kofi Annan. He has toured in Switzerland for 4 consecutive years and has performed at Holland’s Festival Mundial (2003) as well as Harare International Festival of the Arts(HIFA) (2003), receiving outstanding reviews for both performances. He also performed at the 2004 Sauti za Busara festival in Zanzibar, a celebration of East African Music.
In December 2004 Wainaina premiered a 21- song musical theatre piece, “Lwanda, Man of Stone”, based on a local folk story. One of the first of its kind in Kenya, the show ran for a hugely successful theatre season, and a concert version of the same show continues to be performed at major cultural events. A contemporary adaptation of this musical, 'Lwanda-A Ghetto Story" had a very successful run at the GoDown Arts Centre, Nairobi, in December 2006. Plans are underway to find a permanent home for 'Lwanda' in Nairobi.
Together with Mumbi Kaigwa and Andrea Kalima, Eric co-wrote and arranged the music for Kigezi Ndoto, a Kenyan play written and directed by Kaigwa, which went on tour in Europe under the auspices of the World Theatre Music Festival- 2006. He has also written the music for Owen & Mzee, an upcoming documentary about the touching story of an unusual friendship between a tortoise and a baby hippo at the Kenyan coast. This documentary is based on a best-selling children’s book by the same name.
Wainaina was involved in the 2006 launch of Kenya’s National Civic Education Program (NCEP II), Uraia, which aims at fostering a mature political culture in Kenya: a culture in which citizens are able to exercise their rights and responsibilities—and to participate effectively in the broadening of democracy. Wainaina also performed at the inaugural Nairobi-hosted North Sea Jazz Festival in February 2006, and at the Holland-based version of the same in July 2006.
December 2006 saw the release of "Twende, Twende", his second solo album. At the 2007 Kisima Music Awards Wainaina won three categories: Afro-fusion, best song and best video from Kenya [1]. He was among 100 most influential Kenyans as selected by The Standard newspaper in August 2007
Hold Me Down
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This isn't love it's torture
Done being champion
Done being warrior
Angry winds have blown through my banner
Bloodstained, battle weary
There's holes in my armour
All the way down
You're going to lose me
Hold me down
It's in your hands
Take a stand
I'm all used
So hold me down
You lie so easy
While you look in my eyes
I wanna believe you
But it doesn't feel right
And you destroy me
Over and over
And time and time again
When once would be fine
So you'd better hold me down
All the way down
You're going to lose me
Hold me down
It's in your hands
Take a stand
I'm all used
So hold me down
I need more
Than the absence of war
Don't question my questions
Hold down the fort
Don't drive this dagger deeper
Give me a word
Give me a sign
Throw me a line
Hold me down
All the way down
You're going to lose me
Hold me
So you'd better hold me down
All the way down
You're going to lose me
Hold me down
It's in your hands
Baby, take a stand
I'm all used
So hold me down
I'm all used
So hold me down
I'm all used
So hold me down
The song "Hold Me Down" by Eric Wainaina is an emotional plea from the singer to his lover. He admits that he is tired of fighting and being a champion, and would rather surrender to his lover instead. He describes himself as battle-weary and bloodstained, and there are holes in his armor, indicating that he is vulnerable and in need of protection. He wants his lover to hold him down and not let him go, as he feels that he is all used up and has nothing left to give.
The singer is also feeling betrayed by his lover's lies and deception. He wants to believe her, but it doesn't feel right, and she keeps destroying him over and over again. He wants her to take a stand and show him that she is committed to the relationship, and not just using him. He is asking for a sign or a word, just something to reassure him that she won't hurt him anymore.
Overall, the song is a powerful expression of vulnerability and the need for emotional safety in a relationship, as well as the desire for someone to hold us down and not let us fall.
Line by Line Meaning
I surrender
I am giving up and no longer resisting.
This isn't love it's torture
This relationship is causing me pain and is not based on love.
Done being champion
I am tired of fighting and being competitive.
Done being warrior
I am tired of battling and struggling.
Angry winds have blown through my banner
I have faced many difficulties and setbacks.
Bloodstained, battle weary
I am exhausted and wounded from the struggles.
There's holes in my armour
I am vulnerable and exposed to further harm.
So you'd better hold me down
I need someone to support me and keep me grounded.
All the way down
Completely and without hesitation.
You're going to lose me
If you don't support me, I will leave or fall apart.
It's in your hands
You have the power to help me through this.
Take a stand
Make a decision to help me and stick to it.
I'm all used
I have been worn down by life's challenges and need help.
You lie so easy
You are comfortable with deception and dishonesty.
While you look in my eyes
Even while you are lying to me.
I wanna believe you
I want to trust you and your words.
But it doesn't feel right
My intuition and instincts tell me otherwise.
And you destroy me
Your actions and behavior cause me pain and harm.
Over and over
Repeatedly and continuously.
And time and time again
On multiple occasions.
When once would be fine
A single instance would be enough to hurt me.
I need more
I require something greater and more meaningful.
Than the absence of war
More than just the lack of conflict or fighting.
Don't question my questions
Don't doubt or challenge my curiosity or concerns.
Hold down the fort
Take charge and be a source of strength and stability.
Don't drive this dagger deeper
Don't hurt me further or make the situation worse.
Give me a word
Provide me with comfort or reassurance.
Give me a sign
Offer me some indication or direction.
Throw me a line
Help me out of a difficult situation or challenge.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Eric Wainaina, Will Kennedy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
sheila M. Ross
Well at least some music to listen with my family without telling the kids to go to there Rooms.Thank you Eric
sheila M. Ross
@Africana Grace 😊😁
Africana Grace
😂😂😂😂😂😂💔💔 gosh
wa Makeri
Music that matures like fine wine.
Mathew N Bundi
Beautiful Music ♥️🇰🇪 God Bless thee @wainaina
Ole Mauda
Goosebumps. Damn you nailed this love song!
maids honour
Bearrifurr🥰🥰I'm Eric's forever fan and friend. Proud to have been on stage with him..#Changinggenerations
#Bestmusiccasteverrr
Sheila M.
Wow. Keeps getting better every time I listen
Lindo Mbatha
💪 Always on it brother! Much love from 🇿🇦✌️
Nicholas Kimathi
Eric you are priceless.. Adjectives can't describe how talented you are..