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.
Lifetime
Maxwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wouldn't believe, I wouldn't believe, no
Been through a storm, no use in hoping
That you would come rescue me
Somehow your love set me free
And I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it on out this time
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime
There was a time when love wasn't chosen
Now I'm just open for more
Now I'm just reaching out for something better
Than I had before, girl
There ain't a bottom line in your world
Ooh and I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime
Work it on out this time
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can just try and try
I can move to the light
Oh if I take it one day at a time (oh I)
Oh spread my love out and fly
Oh I (I can move to the light)
Ooh I can just make you understand
That love is not a fairy tale in a melody
If you want it you can have it girl
Maybe you will see, maybe you will see
Ooh oh oh whoa oh
(Lifetime, lifetime)
And I, I can let my life pass me by
I can just try and try
Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can get just, all right now
(Lifetime, lifetime)
I can let my life pass me by
Work it on (Lifetime, lifetime)
I can let my life pass me by
There's no way, there's no way
I won't leave you, I won't leave (Lifetime, lifetime)
I can let my life pass me by
You're so mine, baby
(Lifetime, lifetime)
The song Lifetime by Maxwell is about the realization of the power of love and how it can help a person overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges. Maxwell sings about being reborn after being broken, a symbol of being redeemed after hard times or difficult experiences. At the time when love wasn't chosen, he now finds himself open to love and reaching out for something better. It's a call to arms to work to overcome life's obstacles and challenges, and to not let life pass by without making an effort to improve one's situation.
Maxwell sings about the power of love and how it sets him free in the chorus. He has the choice to let his life pass by or to get down, try, and work it all out this lifetime. This speaks to the idea that life is short and one should make the most of it, and that love could be the key to living a fulfilling life. The song's message is about taking control of one's life and making it the best it can be, with the help of love and personal growth.
Overall, Lifetime is a song about perseverance, self-improvement, and the transformative power of love. It is a powerful message about the importance of taking control of one's life and making the most of it.
Line by Line Meaning
I was reborn when I was broken
I found a new life when I hit rock bottom.
I wouldn't believe, I wouldn't believe, no
I couldn't see a way out of my despair.
Been through a storm, no use in hoping
I faced a difficult situation and didn't have much hope of things improving.
That you would come rescue me
I didn't think anyone would be able to save me from my situation.
Somehow your love set me free
But then I met someone who showed me love and it lifted me up.
And I, I can let my life pass me by
I have a choice to either let my life go to waste or take action.
Or I can get down and try
I can put in the effort to make my life better.
Work it all out this lifetime
I can take the time in this lifetime to improve my situation.
Work it on out this time
I can make positive changes and improve my life right now.
There was a time when love wasn't chosen
Love wasn't always a priority for me.
Now I'm just open for more
But now I'm more receptive to love and positive experiences.
Now I'm just reaching out for something better
I'm actively seeking out positive experiences and relationships.
Than I had before, girl
I want more than I used to settle for.
There ain't a bottom line in your world
Money and material things aren't the most important things in life for you.
Ooh and I, I can let my life pass me by
Again, I have a choice to let life pass me by or make something of it.
Or I can get down and try
I can choose to take action and work towards my goals.
I can let it all pass me by
I can let life go to waste if I don't take action.
Or I can just try and try
But if I put in the effort, I can make positive changes.
I can move to the light
I can choose to focus on positivity and move towards it.
Oh if I take it one day at a time (oh I)
I can make changes gradually, one day at a time.
Oh spread my love out and fly
I can share my love and positivity with others and lift them up too.
Ooh I can just make you understand
I can try to help others see the same positive outlook I have.
That love is not a fairy tale in a melody
Love and positivity aren't just fantasies, they can be real and present in our lives.
If you want it you can have it girl
If you're open to it and work towards it, positive experiences and relationships are possible.
Maybe you will see, maybe you will see
It's possible that others will see the power of positivity and love in their lives.
And I, I can let my life pass me by
Once again, I have a choice to make for my life.
I can just try and try
But trying and working towards positive change is the best option.
There's no way, there's no way
There's no other option, positivity and making changes is the only way forward.
I won't leave you, I won't leave
I won't give up trying to make positive changes in my life and the lives of others.
You're so mine, baby
I'm committed to spreading love and positivity wherever I go.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hod David, Musze
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kieannaevans
Lyrics:
I was reborn when I was broken
I wouldn't believe
I wouldn't believe
(No)
Been through a storm, with no use in hopin'
That you would come rescue me
Somehow your love set me free
Now I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime
Work it on out this time
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime
There was a time when love wasn't chosen
And now I'm just gonna beg for more
Now I'm just reachin' out for somethin'
Better than I had before, girl
That aint about a "mine or your" world
Now I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime
Work it on out this time
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can just try and try
I could move to the light
Oh, if I take one day at a time
Oh, spread my love out and fly
(Oh, i could move to the light)
Ooh, if Icould just make you understand
That love is not a fairytale anymore with me
If you want it you can have it girl, maybe you will see
Maybe you will see
Oh, wah-wah-wah, oww
Lifetime, lifetime
Now I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can just try and try
Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can just, alright now
(Lifetime, lifetime)
(I can let my life pass me by)
Work it all, oooh
(I can let my life pass me by)
There's no way, there's no way,
I won't leave, I won't leave
(Lifetime, lifetime)
(I can let my life pass me by)
Listen up, baby
(Lifetime, lifetime)
@jhmn9000
I was reborn when I was broken
I wouldn't believe
I wouldn't believe
(No)
Been through a storm, with no use in hopin'
That you would come rescue me
Somehow your love set me free
Now I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime
Work it on out this time
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime
There was a time when love wasn't chosen
And now I'm just gonna beg for more
Now I'm just reachin' out for somethin'
Better than I had before, girl
That aint about a "mine or your" world
Now I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can get down and try
Work it all out this lifetime
Work it on out this time
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can just try and try
I could move to the light
Oh, if I take one day at a time
Oh, spread my love out and fly
(Oh, i could move to the light)
Ooh, if Icould just make you understand
That love is not a fairytale anymore with me
If you want it you can have it girl, maybe you will see
Maybe you will see
Oh, wah-wah-wah, oww
Lifetime, lifetime
Now I, I can let my life pass me by
Or I can just try and try
Work it all out this lifetime, lifetime
I can let it all pass me by
Or I can just, alright now
(Lifetime, lifetime)
(I can let my life pass me by)
Work it all, oooh
(I can let my life pass me by)
There's no way, there's no way,
I won't leave, I won't leave
(Lifetime, lifetime)
(I can let my life pass me by)
Listen up, baby
(Lifetime, lifetime)
@MamaBearKitaB
This was my Mama jam she battled with addiction for as long as I can remember. She'd lay in the room and play this song over and over. In 12/2001 she was murdered @the age of only 39, so she never got a chance to work it out. After years of battling addictions myself I'm now taking the steps to do what she couldn't 10 days clean I'm determined to not let life pass me by and for the both of us allow God to use me and work it all out this time🙌🏾💕🥹
@SpiritualPrincessGeneene
Still in prayer for you!!!
@gorgeousc.bri.j3249
Keep Going, Keep Fighting the GOOD FIGHT!!! GOD is with you ALWAYS!!! BIG SHOUT OUT TO YOU for sharing and being so vulnerable!!!! XOXO's
@KayciazWorld
I'm praying the good Lord removes those chains of addiction for you. I'm praying he uproots and removes any generational curses and renews you. I pray he washes over you with this love, deliverance, and healing. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!✝️🙏
@lesliefitzgerald7226
Stay strong you can do it. Peace and Love.
@curtisdell1756
Great story! Wish I had your will but, I'm more like your mom. Sorry....
@lamontsimpson4871
Who’s here in 2024 jamming to this classic
@aph.iwedlamini
you know the vibes 😌
@Steeldiva10
It is 3/9/2021. I am 63 years old, drinking wine. Listening to Maxwell. I am chilling.
@specialkay4329
Specialkay 🥰