Maxwell capitalized on his breakthrough with the MTV Unplugged EP, taken from his live MTV performance. It attracted attention and acclaim outside the R&B community with the left-field cover choices "This Woman's Work" (by Kate Bush) and "Closer" (by Nine Inch Nails). Additionally, the 'MTV Unplugged' version of "Whenever, Wherever, Whatever" earned him another Grammy nomination (for Best Male Pop Vocal). Anticipation for his second full-length album was high, and when Embrya was released in 1998, it entered the charts at number three. Reviews were more mixed this time around, with some critics charging that Maxwell's ambition had crossed the line into indulgence; still, the record duplicated its predecessor's platinum sales.
Maxwell adopted his middle name as his stage moniker, keeping his real identity a closely guarded secret out of concern for his family's privacy. Born of Puerto Rican and black Caribbean stock, Maxwell suffered the loss of his father (in a plane crash) when he was just three years old. The experience made him a deeply religious child, and he first began singing in his Baptist church. Still, he didn't really get serious about music until age 17, when he began writing his own songs using a cheap Casio keyboard given to him by a friend. Initially influenced by early-'80s urban R&B, and drawing his greatest inspiration from the concept of the R&B auteur (looking to artists like Marvin Gaye, Prince, Stevie Wonder). He progressed rapidly, and by 1991 he was performing on the New York club scene, despite ridicule from classmates who couldn't imagine the shy, awkward teenager doing anything of the sort. After making a name for himself, he signed a recording contract with Columbia in 1994.
In 1999, Maxwell scored his biggest hit to date with the single "Fortunate," an R. Kelly composition he recorded for the soundtrack of the film Life; it was a mammoth success, ranking as the number one R&B hit of the year in Billboard magazine. Later that year, he also cut two songs for the soundtrack of The Best Man.
In August 2001, Maxwell returned with his third full-length album, Now, which was touted as a return to the more straightforwardly romantic atmosphere of his debut. It entered the album charts at number one and quickly launched a hit single in "Lifetime." ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide
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... He eventually got a record deal with Columbia Records in 1994 when he was 21 years old. His loss of his father at the age of three had a great impact on him as a person and as an artist. Maxwell played keyboard in church during his youth; however, he was not aware of his vocal talent during adolescence. His vocal ability was later discovered during a romantic affair which inspired the music for his first music release "Urban Hang Suite." Maxwell was heavily inspired by the work of artists such as Marvin Gaye, Prince, Sade, and lastly Anita Baker who he gives credit to "teaching him how to sing."
After taking several years off, Maxwell released his latest album BLACKsummers'night on July 7, 2009. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Albums Top 200 chart, his second album to receive that ranking. Maxwell said his reason for leaving the music industry for such a long period was "to just take time off. The music industry has so much competition and there was no rush for me.
The follow-up to BLACKsummers'night and the second installment in a planned trilogy, blackSUMMERS'night, is set to be released late 2012 but the exact date is unknown.
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The name "Maxwell" also appears to be used by a hip hop beat producer from Oldenburg, Germany.
Help Somebody
Maxwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Gotta brace my soul, to tell ya, how I feel
Gotta listen to the tears the people cry for me
In a world that's so wild fear creeps
Cause when I get up
To hear you
Tears fill my eyes
Now I know, gotta to let the selfishness subside
Help somebody, help somebody, show 'em what it is give a lil' bit more oh
Help somebody, help somebody, show 'em what it is let 'em know
If you see the future, ask it if I'm there, ask it if I'm there
Ask it to tell you did I ever make a stand (Help somebody)
Ask if you made any mention
Did I learn from everything (Help somebody)
And even if it takes to see an eternity to know (Help somebody)
I waited centuries a buried mess of bones (Help somebody)
Help me help me to give myself the way you that you givin' you (Help somebody)
Oh help me to be the helping hand
That makes a dream come true, choir sing
Help somebody, help somebody, show 'em what it is give a lil' bit more (whoo)
Help somebody, help somebody show 'em what it is, let 'em know
Oh if I'm baby
Tell me if I'm there
Do you see me there
See me there, whoo, yeah, yeah
Yeah yeah people
Help somebody, help somebody, show 'em what it is give a lil' bit more oh
Help somebody, help somebody, show 'em what it is let 'em know
If you see the future, ask it if I'm there, ask it if I'm there
The song "Help Somebody" by Maxwell urges the listeners to be more empathetic towards others and to lend a helping hand to those in need. The first stanza creates vivid imagery by describing the feeling of inner peace that can be achieved by helping others. Maxwell then talks about listening to the tears of people and the fear that exists in the world. The second verse is a reflection of the singer's life, where he asks the question, "Did I ever make a stand?" and seeks validation of the impact he has made on the world. The chorus repeats the message of the song, urging the audience to help somebody and to show them what it means to give a little bit more. The song ends with the same message, with Maxwell asking if he is there in the future and urging people to help somebody and let them know what it means to be helped.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a moving, inner peace that I love to see
I find great joy in witnessing people experience a sense of tranquility that comes from within.
Gotta brace my soul, to tell ya, how I feel
I need to strengthen my inner self so I can express my emotions honestly to others.
Gotta listen to the tears the people cry for me
I must pay attention to the sorrowful cries of those around me.
In a world that's so wild fear creeps
The world can be a dangerous and unsettling place that can trigger feelings of anxiety.
Cause when I get up
Because when I become alert and aware
To hear you
To listen to what you have to say
Tears fill my eyes
I become emotional and feel teary-eyed.
Now I know, gotta to let the selfishness subside
I understand that I need to put aside my own self-centeredness and focus on helping others.
Help somebody, help somebody, show 'em what it is give a lil' bit more oh
Assist others, demonstrate what generosity is by giving a little more of yourself.
If you see the future, ask it if I'm there, ask it if I'm there
If you can visualize the future, inquire whether or not I am a part of it.
Ask it to tell you did I ever make a stand (Help somebody)
Request that the future inform you if I ever took a stand or spoke up for what I believed in.
Ask if you made any mention
Inquire if my name was ever mentioned or recognized for my contributions.
Did I learn from everything (Help somebody)
Did I gain knowledge and wisdom from every experience or mistake? Help others when you can.
And even if it takes to see an eternity to know (Help somebody)
Even if it takes an infinite amount of time, it is still important to help others.
I waited centuries a buried mess of bones (Help somebody)
Even if I am long gone and buried centuries ago, it's still possible to make a difference by helping others.
Help me help me to give myself the way you that you givin' you (Help somebody)
Assist me in giving of myself with the same level of generosity that you give to others.
Oh help me to be the helping hand
Assist me in becoming a supportive and caring friend to those who need it.
That makes a dream come true, choir sing
That will contribute to achieving someone's aspirations - let the choir sing.
Yeah yeah people
Yes, the people - We are all in this together.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: HOD DAVID, MAXWELL MENARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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