Kele Okereke released his first solo album, titled The Boxer on 21 June 2010, through Wichita / Polydor in the UK and Europe and Glassnote Records for the rest of the world. The album was released under the name Kele, dropping his surname. Okereke explained the album title, saying "as a boxer, you have to rely on nobody else but yourself to achieve what it is you want to achieve. Even though you take hits, you have to keep focus on your priorities and keep going. I thought that was an inspiring image". The first single from the album Tenderoni was released on 14 June 2010.
Okereke sees the 'Kele' brand as a way for him to embrace his interest in dance music. "I've been into clubbing for years. I've said from the beginning I'm into dance, it gets me excited and I think this record is going to go some way to prove that to people, hopefully." - Kele Okereke
In September 2011 it was announced that Kele would be releasing a follow up to The Boxer; an EP titled The Hunter.
On 23 July 2014 Kele announced his second solo album, entitled Trick, to be released on his own label Lilac Records via Kobalt Label Services on 13 October 2014.
He released his third album Fatherland on 6 October 2017 under his full name Kele Okereke. The album features the singles Streets Been Talking and Grounds For Resentment feat. Olly Alexander. Fatherland also features the duet Versions of Us with Grammy-winning English singer and songwriter Corinne Bailey Rea
In January 2019, Leave to Remain a new musical written by Okereke and Matt Jones debuted in London. Announced in September 2018, the musical about an interracial gay couple was preceded by the single Not the Drugs Talking which showed a move back towards beats following the more acoustic Fatherland. Telling a love story through the Prism of Brexit, the new show is accompanied by a tie-in album of new songs. Speaking about the subject matter and his feelings on the UK in 2019, Okereke claimed that “It’s not a time that I’ve been proud to be British. It’s an ugly time”.
www.iamkele.com
Cable's Goodbye
Kele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I have to go away now,
I have to go away now.
We've come to the end
And I hope I have prepared you,
I hope I have prepared you well.
Stand up and do not cry,
You must show honour now,
You must do, you must do.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and do not cry,
You must show honour now,
You stand for, you stand for us all.
No, I'm not scared,
For I was born a hunter,
For I was born a soldier.
And when I, saw your eyes,
I knew this right,
Cos they looked just like mine.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and dare not cry,
You must show honour now,
You must do, you must do.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and dare not cry,
You must show honour now,
You stand for, you stand for us all.
The lyrics to Kele's song Cable's Goodbye speak about a departing soldier who is bidding farewell to his loved one. The song encapsulates the emotions that the soldier feels as he is leaving his loved one to fight for his country. The soldier hopes that he has prepared his loved one well for his departure and asks them to show courage and honor in his absence. He reassures them that he is not scared as he was born a hunter and a soldier, and that he is doing this for the greater good. The soldier also notes that he sees himself in his loved one's eyes, giving a sense of unity and faith in their relationship.
The song encapsulates the emotions of not only the soldier but also those left behind. The soldier tries to provide comfort and reassurance to his loved one in his absence, asking them to stand firm and not cry. The song's lyrics also touch upon the themes of duty, sacrifice, and love, highlighting the different emotions that come with deployment.
In conclusion, Kele's song Cable's Goodbye is a poignant and heart-touching reflection on the emotions that come with deployment. The song's lyrics speak about the courage, love, and sacrifice that soldiers and their loved ones must bear during these times of separation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hope, my Hope,
I have to go away now,
I have to go away now.
We have come to the end of this journey and I have to leave now.
We've come to the end
And I hope I have prepared you,
I hope I have prepared you well.
This journey has come to an end and I hope I have provided you with enough guidance and knowledge to move forward.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and do not cry,
You must show honour now,
You must do, you must do.
You need to be strong and composed, show dignity and perform what is expected of you.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and do not cry,
You must show honour now,
You stand for, you stand for us all.
This is your moment to show bravery, do not shed a tear and act with respect. You represent not only yourself but all of us.
No, I'm not scared,
For I was born a hunter,
For I was born a soldier.
I am not afraid at all because deep down, I know I have always had the traits to be a hunter or a soldier.
And when I, saw your eyes,
I knew this right,
Cos they looked just like mine.
When I looked into your eyes, I felt a connection because they resembled my own.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and dare not cry,
You must show honour now,
You must do, you must do.
You must be valiant, take a stance and not falter, act with dignity and fulfill what is expected of you.
You must show courage now,
Stand up and dare not cry,
You must show honour now,
You stand for, you stand for us all.
It is imperative that you display courage, hold strong and refrain from crying - show respect and dignity, as you represent all of us.
Contributed by Benjamin K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.