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
Impossible
Eric Wainaina Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I get this feeling that this time we're through
Bitter tears and bile
All the while thinking that by the time my coffee's brewed
I'll be done with you
Cos you're impossible
Impossible
That's just you
Sometimes you're up
Sometimes you're down
I can't tell if I'm coming or going
This sinking lifeboat we're on
Has done its work
I'm gonna stop rowing
I'm gonna stop rowing
Cos you're impossible
Impossible
Impossible
That's just you
We've been shouting for hours
Can't get through it seems
I guess I've got no power
To change you
And you can't change me
Cos I'm impossible
Impossible
Impossible
Just like you
In Eric Wainaina's song "Impossible," the lyrics reflect the complexity and challenges of a troubled relationship. The opening line, "It's not easy loving you," sets the tone for the struggles the singer faces in trying to maintain a connection with their partner. The lyrics convey a sense of frustration and a growing realization that the relationship may be reaching its breaking point.
The phrase "Bitter tears and bile" suggests that the singer has experienced a range of negative emotions while being in this relationship. The mention of brewing coffee symbolizes the passing of time, implying that the singer hopes to reach a point of resolution or closure by the time the coffee is ready. However, the repetition of "I'll be done with you" reveals a desire to move on from the situation and put an end to the emotional turmoil.
The chorus emphasizes the impossibility of the relationship, repeating the word "impossible" several times. This repetition underscores the deep-rooted difficulties and challenges that the couple faces. The line "Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're down" highlights the unpredictable nature of the partner's behavior, leaving the singer feeling unsure and confused about the future of the relationship.
The mention of a sinking lifeboat symbolizes the deteriorating state of the relationship. The singer decides to stop rowing, implying that they are tired of trying to salvage what feels like a lost cause. This decision conveys a sense of resignation and acceptance that things may not get any better between them.
The final verses express the frustration and powerlessness of both individuals in the relationship. The repeated phrase "We've been shouting for hours" implies a breakdown in communication, with neither party truly understanding or hearing the other. The recognition that neither can change the other further underscores the impossibility of finding common ground or resolving their differences.
The conclusion brings the focus back to the singer themselves, stating that they too are impossible, implying a self-awareness of their own flaws and complexities. This realization suggests that both individuals in the relationship may bear responsibility for its difficulties, though the song primarily centers on the challenges posed by the partner's behavior.
Overall, "Impossible" portrays a relationship filled with strife and uncertainty, capturing the struggles and frustrations of two individuals who have reached a point of disillusionment. The lyrics offer a poignant reflection on the complexities of love and the difficulty of finding resolution in a troubled relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
It's not easy loving you
Loving you is a challenging experience
I get this feeling that this time we're through
I have a strong sense that our relationship is ending
Bitter tears and bile
Emotional pain and resentment
All the while thinking that by the time my coffee's brewed
While waiting for my coffee to be ready
I'll be done with you
I'll be finished with you
Cos you're impossible
Because you are extremely difficult
Sometimes you're up
At times, you are in a positive state
Sometimes you're down
At times, you are in a negative state
I can't tell if I'm coming or going
I am uncertain of my direction or purpose
This sinking lifeboat we're on
The deteriorating situation we are in
Has done its work
Has caused enough damage
I'm gonna stop rowing
I will cease making an effort
We've been shouting for hours
We have been arguing intensely for a significant amount of time
Can't get through it seems
Unable to communicate effectively
I guess I've got no power
I suppose I lack authority or control
To change you
To alter your behavior or mindset
And you can't change me
And you are unable to change who I am
Cos I'm impossible
Because I am extremely difficult
Just like you
Similar to you in terms of being challenging
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ELIOT KENNEDY, DARYL HAIR, Mike Percy, Tim Lever, Timothy Woodcock
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind