Rowland Kelechukwu Okereke (born 13 October 1981), also known by the monony… Read Full Bio ↴Rowland Kelechukwu Okereke (born 13 October 1981), also known by the mononym Kele, is an English musician, probably best known as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the indie rock band Bloc Party.

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”.

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Devotion
Kele Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

If you still cannot see this
If these words leave you cold
This heart has devotion
It pulls her inwards

Cus' it's you that I think of
And it's you that I crave
And it's you that makes my heart

Burn like the sun

So what do you run from
We have but one life
Once the door has been opened
It cannot be closed

Cus' it's you that I think of
And it's you that I crave
And it's you that makes my heart
Burn like the sun

And I know that you feel it
When we are both alone
And I know that you want to
But you can let go

And like a star in the night
You left me alone
And I can wait I can wait
But darling be brave

Cus' it's you that I think of
And it's you that I crave
And it's you that makes my heart
Burn like the sun

And I know that you feel it
When we are both alone

And I know that you want to
But you can let go

Overall Meaning

The song "Devotion" by Kele begins with the singer acknowledging that the person they are addressing is not receptive to what they are saying. Despite this, the singer's heart is full of devotion towards this person, drawing them inward. The lyrics proceed with the singer declaring their thoughts and desires for this person, and how that person makes their heart “burn like the sun.”

As the song progresses, the singer pleads with the person to stop running away, as they only have one life to live. The singer suggests that once the door to their relationship has been opened, it cannot be closed, implying that they want a deeper relationship with this person. The singer then repeats how much they want this person, and how strong their feelings are, making it clear that they want to take the relationship to the next level.

The final verse in the song is a plea, asking the person to be courageous and make a move towards the singer. The singer references how they feel alone and abandoned, like a “star in the night,” but they are willing to wait for the person. The song ends with the singer repeating their strong devotion for this person.

Line by Line Meaning

If you still cannot see this
If you are still blind to my love

If these words leave you cold
If my expressions of love fail to move you

This heart has devotion
My heart is full of unwavering commitment and loyalty

It pulls her inwards
It draws me closer to you

Cus' it's you that I think of
Because my thoughts are always consumed by you

And it's you that I crave
And you are the only one I desire

And it's you that makes my heart
And your love is the reason for the intense feeling in my heart

Burn like the sun
That consumes me with its passion

So what do you run from
So what do you fear or try to avoid

We have but one life
We only have one chance to live our lives to the fullest

Once the door has been opened
Once the opportunity has presented itself