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
Smalltown Boy
Kele Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face
Mother will never understand why you had to leave
But the answers you seek will never be found at home
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy
You were the one that they'd talk about around town as they put you down
And as hard as they would try they'd hurt to make you cry
But you never cried to them, just to your soul
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (crying to your soul)
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (crying to your soul)
Run away, turn away, run away, turn away, run away (crying to your soul)
(Crying to your soul)
Cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
"Smalltown Boy" by Kele is a poignant song that delves into the emotions and struggles experienced by a young gay man growing up in a small, close-minded community. The lyrics describe the singer's decision to leave his hometown and the challenges he faced before making that choice.
The first verse sets the scene of the singer leaving his home, carrying all his belongings in a small black case. He finds himself alone on a platform, exposed to the elements of wind and rain, which mirror his internal feelings of sadness and loneliness. The imagery here represents the isolation and vulnerability he feels as he embarks on his journey.
The second verse speaks to the lack of understanding from the singer's mother about his decision to leave. Despite her inability to comprehend his situation, he knows that the answers he seeks won't be found in the comfort of home. This shows his determination to find his own path and seek acceptance and understanding elsewhere.
The chorus repeats the phrase "run away, turn away" several times, emphasizing the singer's desire to escape his oppressive environment. The repetition reinforces his need to distance himself from the judgment and prejudice he faces in his small town.
The third verse describes the harassment and mistreatment the singer endured in his hometown. He was constantly pushed around and kicked, becoming the subject of gossip and ridicule. This further highlights the hostility and discrimination he faced on a daily basis.
The lyrics also showcase the singer's resilience and refusal to let the cruelty affect him deeply. He never let the tormentors see him cry, choosing instead to confide in his own soul. This reveals his inner strength and emotional resilience, as well as his ability to find solace within himself during difficult times.
The repetition of the phrase "crying to your soul" in the chorus emphasizes the internal struggle and emotional pain the singer experiences. It suggests that he finds solace in expressing his true emotions within himself because he knows that crying out to others will not bring understanding or support.
Overall, "Smalltown Boy" is a powerful anthem of self-discovery, resilience, and facing the challenges of being different in an intolerant environment. It portrays the journey of a young gay man determined to escape the limitations of his small town and find acceptance and understanding elsewhere, all while acknowledging the emotional toll such experiences can have.
Line by Line Meaning
You leave in the morning with everything you own in a little black case
You start your journey early in the day, carrying all your possessions in a small black suitcase
Alone on a platform, the wind and the rain on a sad and lonely face
Standing by yourself on a train platform, feeling the cold wind and rain on your face, looking sad and lonely
Mother will never understand why you had to leave
Your mother will never comprehend the reasons behind your decision to depart
But the answers you seek will never be found at home
The solutions and understanding you desire cannot be obtained within the confines of your home
Pushed around and kicked around, always a lonely boy
Constantly being mistreated and physically abused, always feeling isolated and alone
You were the one that they'd talk about around town as they put you down
You were the subject of gossip and rumors in the community, with people belittling and criticizing you
And as hard as they would try they'd hurt to make you cry
Despite their efforts to cause you pain and make you weep, you never succumbed to their cruelty
But you never cried to them, just to your soul
Instead of shedding tears in front of them, you only expressed your true emotions within your inner self
Cry, boy, cry
Express your emotions through tears, young man
Cry, boy, cry, boy cry
Allow yourself to weep, young man, let your tears flow
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Release your pain through tears, young man, let yourself be vulnerable
Cry, boy, cry, boy, cry
Weep, young man, let your tears be a catharsis for your pain
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: James William Somerville, Larry Steinbacheck, Steve Bronski
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
TedMaulAssociate
This gave me all the feels... absolutely spot on cover, this song makes me feel wistful
tim lunt
This song is one of my all time favourites and Kele has shown it the respect it deserves. Love the stripped back, raw approach. Very nicely done indeed
Andrew Morrison
Wow. A very powerful cover version of an extremely important and classic eighties track - really brings out the painful narrative in this version. Great stuff, well done Kele!
Luca Delbene
Absolutely amazing! Awesome version. I loved and still do the original version. Kele makes it so emotional, deep, intense and "bare"... Breathtaking!
Monia SITBON
I have always loved this song... thank you for this new version, you added a dramatic deep, it's beautiful
anitasrce
Goose bumps all over.... wow.... what a wonderful version of this magnificent Bronski Beat song.... Kele sounds so vulnerable. Wow! ♥
Joseph
Fantastic job Kele! Your voice is a perfect match for the music and message.
Snuffs McShuggy
Love this version 💜 heard it on radio 6 the other day and it defo gave me goosebumps
Michelle Grant
This is a deliciously haunting cover Kele's voice is so beautiful!
Rozay Rose
I love your smooth voice. This is an excellent cover of "Smalltown Boy" and gives a different tone than the original. Somebody feature this on a Netflix show!