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
Like We Used To
Kele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One step forward, then back again
Will we feel the flames?
Like we used to
Like we used to, yeah
Lips still need, but something′s changed,
Shame on me for breaking this
Like we used to
Like we used to, yeah
This is not what you wanted from the start
We get by, we get by, we get by
Like we used to, yeah
Broke the seal and brought the darkness to your heart
We get by, we get by, we get by
Like we used to, yeah
Broken mirror in the frame,
What is love, that won't remain?
Drive down to the place
Like we used to
Like we used to, yeah
This is not, this is not, this is not
We get by, we get by, we get by
Like we used to, yeah
Broke the seal and brought the darkness to your heart
We get by, we get by, we get by
Like we used to, yeah
This is not what you wanted
This is not what you wanted
Broke the seal and brought the darkness to your heart
We get by, we get by, we get by
Like we used to, yeah
(This is not)
(This is not)
Like we used to
Like we used to, yeah
In Kele's "Like We Used To" we hear him grappling with the idea of whether or not his current relationship can ever reach the same passion and intensity that it once had. The lyrics express confusion and doubt about the future and the difficulty of recapturing the feelings of the past. The lines "Lover can it feel the same? One step forward, then back again. Will we feel the flames? Like we used to" express the confusion and hesitation that come with questioning the viability of a relationship that once felt effortless. Kele admits that something has changed and there's been a shift in the dynamic between himself and his lover. He acknowledges his fault in this and feels shame, as he sings "Lips still need, but something's changed. Shame on me for breaking this. Breathe me in into you. Like we used to." Despite this, he still yearns to reconnect with his partner and recapture the passion they once shared, singing "Drive down to the place, like we used to."
The chorus repeats the phrase "We get by, we get by, we get by, like we used to" numerous times, highlighting the idea that the couple is just managing to "get by" and not truly thriving in their relationship. The lines "Broke the seal and brought the darkness to your heart" suggest that there has been some sort of breach of trust or emotional damage that has occurred, and that it may be difficult to completely repair the damage done.
Overall, "Like We Used To" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the ups and downs of relationships and the struggle to recapture the intensity of past love.
Line by Line Meaning
Lover can it feel the same?
Will our love be as strong as it was before?
One step forward, then back again
Our relationship seems to be on a roller-coaster, with ups and downs.
Will we feel the flames?
Will the passion we once had still exist?
Like we used to
Just like old times.
Lips still need, but something's changed
We still crave each other but there seems to be a shift in dynamics.
Shame on me for breaking this
I take responsibility for the harm I caused to our relationship.
Breathe me in into you
Our connection is still deep, our love still exists.
This is not what you wanted from the start
You expected something else from this relationship.
We get by, we get by, we get by
We cope, we manage, we survive.
Broke the seal and brought the darkness to your heart
I've hurt you deeply and caused you emotional pain.
Broken mirror in the frame
Our relationship is shattered and in disarray.
What is love, that won't remain?
What is the meaning of love if it won't last forever?
Drive down to the place
Let's go back to the place where we fell in love.
Like we used to
As it was in the beginning.
(This is not)
This is not the way things were supposed to be.
Like we used to
Just like before.
Writer(s): Okereke Kele, Epton Alex Brady
Contributed by Asher G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
mi lala
ugh so beautiful!!!! my ears are falling in love again. beautiful piece of art
Patrick Stuhr
My favorite track off the album
Prudent Student
mines too, along with year zero
Ricky X
The best album of 2014...!!! I LoVe LoVe LoVe Kele...!!!
dagny żywicka
So good, thank you!
Thomas Williams
the beat ..just Wana dance..kele your just brill 😎
Gustavo Ian Morales Fernández
Yeeah.. perfect song
Ben Drowned Music
Good track, good album but... Moderat - "Bad Kingdom", but doesn't matter, it's beautiful
Metal Cat
It reminds me of "Killer by Seal ft Adamski"
Four6Three1Two
📻Vocalo 89.5 & 91.1📻 Northwest Indiana/Chicago FM radio app brought me here.
- Signed 05/05/2021