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.
Pretty Wings
Maxwell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
One day they'll be no remnants
No trace, no residual feelings within ya
One day you won't remember me
Your face will be the reason I smile
But I will not see what I cannot have forever
I'll always love ya, I hope you feel the same
Oh you played me dirty, your game was so bad
You toyed with my affliction
Had to fill out my prescription
Found the remedy, I had to set you free
Away from me
To see clearly the way that love can be
When you are not with me
I had to leave, I have to live
I had to lead, I had to live
If I can't have you, let love set you free
To fly your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings
Your pretty wings, pretty wings around
I came wrong you were right
Transformed your love into like
Baby believe me, I'm sorry I told you lies
I turned day into night
Sleep till I die a thousand times
I should've showed you
Better nights, better times
Better days, I miss you more and more
If I can't have you
Let love set you free
To fly your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings, your
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around.
Pretty wings, your pretty wings, your
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, pretty wings
Pretty wings, pretty wings
Pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
In "Pretty Wings," Maxwell sings about a love that didn't work out but still remains strong. He acknowledges that time will come where they will both move on and forget each other, but right now he can't help but be drawn to her smile. Even though he can't have her forever, he still loves her and hopes she feels the same way. Maxwell then admits that his partner mistreated him and that he had to let her go even though it was difficult. He recognizes that love can be beautiful when it's done right, but when it's not, it can be a painful experience. The chorus then repeats, suggesting that he wants her to be happy and free to find her own love.
The song is a beautiful reflection on love and the difficult journey it can be. It seems to be about accepting that true love doesn't always work out and that sometimes the best thing for both parties is to go their separate ways. Even though they may not be together anymore, their love for one another remains strong, allowing them to accept the end of their time together.
Line by Line Meaning
Time will bring the real end of our trial
Eventually, our difficult experiences will come to an end
One day they'll be no remnants
There will be no lasting evidence left behind
No trace, no residual feelings within ya
There will be no lingering emotions or memories
One day you won't remember me
You will forget about me over time
Your face will be the reason I smile
You bring me happiness just by being in my presence
But I will not see what I cannot have forever
I cannot continue to have something that is not permanent
I'll always love ya, I hope you feel the same
I will continue to have affection for you, even if our relationship ends
Oh you played me dirty, your game was so bad
You treated me unfairly and caused me pain
You toyed with my affliction
You manipulated my emotions and hurt me
Had to fill out my prescription
I had to seek a remedy for my suffering
Found the remedy, I had to set you free
I found a solution to my pain, which required me to end our relationship
Away from me
I needed distance from you to heal
To see clearly the way that love can be
I needed space to understand how love should and could work
When you are not with me
I needed to be apart from you to gain clarity
I had to leave, I have to live
I chose to leave because it was necessary for my well-being
I had to lead, I had to live
I needed to take control of my life and move on
If I can't have you, let love set you free
If I cannot have you, I would rather you be happy
To fly your pretty wings around
To have the freedom to live and explore, like a bird with wings
I came wrong you were right
I made mistakes, and you were correct
Transformed your love into like
I changed your romantic love for me into something more casual
Baby believe me; I'm sorry I told you lies
I apologize for being dishonest with you
I turned day into night
My actions brought darkness to our relationship
Sleep till I die a thousand times
I regret my actions and feel remorse
I should've showed you better nights, better times
I should have treated you better and made our time together more enjoyable
Better days, I miss you more and more
I long for the good times we shared, and miss you increasingly
Pretty wings, your pretty wings, your pretty wings, your pretty wings around.
The idea of you being free and living your best life brings me comfort
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hod David, Maxwell Menard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@kieannaevans
Lyrics:
Time will bring the real end of our trial
One day they'll be no remnants
No trace, no residual feelings within ya
One day you won't remember me
Your face will be the reason I smile
But I will not see what I cannot have forever
I'll always love ya, I hope you feel the same
Oh, you played me dirty, your game was so bad
You toyed with my affliction, had to fill out my prescription
Found the remedy, I had to set you free
Away from me to see clearly
The way that love can be when you are not with me
I had to leave, I had to live
I had to leave, I had to live
If I can't have you let love set you free to fly your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings
Your pretty wings, pretty wings around
I came wrong, you were right
Transformed your love into light
Baby, believe me, I'm sorry I told you lies
I turned day into night, sleep 'til I die a thousand times
I could have showed you better nights, better times, better days
I miss you more and more
If I can't have you let love set you free to fly your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings
Your pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings
Your pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Say pretty wings, oh, pretty wings, yeah
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Someone better's gonna love you
Someone! Someone's gonna love you, baby
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
Pretty wings, your pretty wings around
@Nazferot2
Whoever is here in 2024 your taste in music is good!
@A1D1ICYY
❤
@A1D1ICYY
You posted this Ten days ago 👁️
Ten is a Manifestation number ⭐
Make A Wish Everyone 🎉
Thank The Ancestors 👣💪🏾
@Nazferot2
@@A1D1ICYY I wish to make it with my music production not so I can become famous but for me to help people an do good things in life!
@GeorgeTipton-kh7jl
@@A1D1ICYYget off his meat😮
@aprilwilliams2290
It sure is! 😍 on a whole music vybe this morning! Just listened to earth fire and wind ❤️
@GodsHeart102
Here in March 2024. Maxwell's voice is golden. An absolutely gorgeous song.
@makhutedirachidi3241
We here March 2024❤
@Carnantcha
Yay
@GodsHeart102
@@makhutedirachidi3241 Yes, we are!