Music career
After a short time singing in local clubs and bars, in the 1980s, he joined Push, a British funk band, and toured with them in Japan. In Asia, he joined a blues band in Thailand for a while before separating from the group and journeying throughout India on his own. Seal returned to England, sleeping on the couch of friend Julian Bunster, then a model. He sometimes asked him "Do I sing well?"; to which he often met the response that he sang better than most current artists. His break came when he met the producer Adamski. He was given the lyrics of the song "Killer", which was a huge hit in 1990.
Seal (1991)
As the vocalist on the Adamski single "Killer", Seal became a hot property when the single reached number one in 1990 in the UK. Like many other Adamski tracks, the single was also a hit in night clubs. Seal subsequently signed to ZTT Records and released his debut album (produced by Trevor Horn), titled Seal, in 1991. Two versions of the album are known to be in circulation: the original "premix" version and a second, more common version with an updated mix. This is attributed to the demand for a produced single rushing the final album edit, and as Seal puts it, his and producer Horn's "inability to let go." The album was positively received by critics and the singles "Crazy", "Future Love Paradise", and his own rendition of "Killer" from the album all performed well on the charts, with "Crazy" becoming a big worldwide hit, reaching the number one in several countries. Excerpts from "Crazy" have been used as commercial background music, and more recently, Alanis Morissette has covered it.
Seal (1994)
His second album, also eponymous, was released in 1994. A critical success, the album featured the singles "Prayer for the Dying" and "Newborn Friend", receiving a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. A third single, "Kiss from a Rose", performed modestly when released but was later featured in the film Batman Forever which resulted in its worldwide success. It went on to win Grammy Awards for Record of the Year and Song of the Year in 1996 and became Seal's best performing single in the US market. Later, he recorded a cover of Steve Miller Band's "Fly Like an Eagle" for the soundtrack of the film Space Jam, which was again a hit.
Human Being (1998)
Four years after the release of his previous album, in 1998, Seal released Human Being. The album was the product of a turbulent time in his life, including a split and later reconciliation with producer Horn as well as Seal's parting with ZTT Records and his signing with Warner Bros. Records in 1997. The record was critically panned upon its release. However, it received Gold record certification by the RIAA just two months after its release date. The album provided three singles, "Human Beings", "Latest Craze", and "Lost My Faith".
Failed Album: Togetherland
In 2001, fans awaited the arrival of a new album, announced as Togetherland. However, after a protracted post-production period the album was cancelled in its entirety. The official word was that Seal simply didn't think it made the grade, although this conflicts with other reports that said the album was turned down by the label, which felt that it wouldn't be commercially successful. Although one single was released from the album. "This Could Be Heaven" was released in the US and featured on the Family Man soundtrack. Since December 2006, Seal has been indicating that, while still feeling the album as a whole is "not worthy", he plans to excerpt certain cuts from Togetherland and make them available for streaming download.
Meanwhile, Seal made something of a comeback in dance and club scene when he co-wrote and provided vocals for the hit single "My Vision" from Jakatta in 2002.
Seal (2003)
In 2003, Seal released his fourth album, which was again self-titled, except for Australia, where it was released under Seal IV. Although it did not sell as much as either of his first two albums, this release brought him back into the public eye in the United States and continental Europe. Singles from the album included "Waiting For You", "Get It Together", and "Love's Divine" (released in 2004, and a big hit in several European countries).
Greatest Hits Album: Best 1991-2004
In 2004, a greatest hits album entitled Seal: Best 1991-2004 was released, including a cover of the Bacharach / David classic "Walk on By" and a cover of Echo and the Bunnymen's song "Lips Like Sugar".
Live In Paris (2004)
Also in 2004, Seal performed a couple of shows at the Olympia Theatre in Paris, France. The July 6, 2004 show was recorded and released about one year after as CD/DVD package, simply titled Live In Paris.
One Night To Remember (2006)
In June 2005, Seal recorded a special concert which was subsequently released in 2006 entitled One Night To Remember as CD/DVD whereby the DVD includes a special "the making of" documentary in addition to the live performance. Recorded in a historic steel mill, the Altes Kesselhaus ('old boiler house'), in Düsseldorf, Germany, this 16-track package includes a special version of Brahms' Lullaby which Seal sings in German and then in English for the exclusive audience. Unusually, he is accompanied by his band, and a full orchestra comprised of 52 musicians and singers. This CD/DVD is not yet available in the USA.
System (2007)
During his 2007 spring tour, Seal announced his new album, System, which was released in 2007. He said it would be more dance-oriented, apparently a return to the roots of his first album. Years active 1989 - present.
Soul (2008)
Main article: Soul (album)
Seal's sixth studio album Soul was released on 11 November 2008, in the United States and 3 November 2008, internationally, and contains eleven soul classics produced by David Foster.[13][14] The video for the first single, a cover of Sam Cooke's "A Change Is Gonna Come" is up on his official YouTube page. As well, he will be mentoring the top 9 on Deutschland sucht den Superstar and performing one of his songs from the album.
Seal coached the participants of Germany's TV show "Deutschland sucht den Superstar" (Popidol) in February/March 2009.[15]
Hits
Main article: Hits (Seal album)
On 4 December 2009, Hits, a compilation album was released. It contains two new tracks, "I Am Your Man" and "Thank You".
7 (2015)
Here I Am
Seal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The way that you make me feel
A burning deep down inside
A love that I cannot hide
Our love is you and me baby
That makes the world go 'round
And if you've been doin' lovin' with me
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Take me by the hand
Show me
Here I am, baby
It always ends up this way
Me begging you every day
A love that I cannot have
You broke my heart into half
Our love is you and me baby
That makes the world go 'round
And if you've been doin' lovin' with me
Layin' all my troubles down
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Take me by the hand
Squeeze me
Here I am, baby
When I'm down
I can always call you
For a helpin' hand
I know you'll do the best you can
But it don't take much from me
Just my cup of Joe
Oh there's love inside me
I believe there's going to be an explosion
It's tough for me, oh baby
I can do worry
Tell me all your troubles
You won't ever have to worry now
Just one more thing, ask everybody
Everybody you see, no, no
You'll find yourself lost
And alone on a darkened street
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Take me by the hand
Show me
Here I am, take me
Here I am, show me, won't you
Here I am, baby
Come and take me
Won't you teach me, baby?
Won't you take me by the hand?
Teach me
Here I am, baby
In this song, Seal expresses his deeply felt emotions for someone he loves. He finds it hard to believe that his emotions are real, but they are so powerful that they cannot be ignored. The feeling he experiences inside of himself is like a burning flame, a kind of love that he cannot hide. He believes that the love he shares with his partner is what makes the world go round. He feels blessed to have someone to share his burdens with, someone who has become a constant partner in his life. He is asking his partner to come and take him and teach him everything they know so that he can become a better person. He is in love with his partner and is begging them to commit to their relationship as he is committed to them.
The chorus, "Here I am, baby, come and take me, take me by the hand, show me," repeats throughout the song, emphasizing that the singer is vulnerable and needs someone to guide him. The singer's love for his partner is unreserved and intense, and he reminds them that he is always there for them, that they can always call for his support.
Line by Line Meaning
I can't believe that it's real
I am amazed that our love is actually happening
The way that you make me feel
You bring out emotions in me that I didn't even know existed
A burning deep down inside
There is a passionate fire within me that you have ignited
A love that I cannot hide
I am unable to conceal my love for you
Our love is you and me baby
Our love is what keeps us connected
That makes the world go 'round
Our love is what gives my life meaning
And if you've been doin' lovin' with me
If we have been making love together
Layin' all my troubles down
I am able to forget about all of my problems when we are together
Here I am, baby
I am ready and available for you
Come and take me
Take me in your arms and show me your love
Take me by the hand
Lead me into a deeper level of our relationship
Show me
Teach me how to love you better
It always ends up this way
Our relationship always seems to be a struggle
Me begging you every day
I am constantly asking you to love me back
A love that I cannot have
I am unable to possess your love completely
You broke my heart into half
You have hurt me deeply by not returning my love
When I'm down
When I am feeling sad
I can always call you
I can always count on you to be there for me
For a helpin' hand
To offer me support
I know you'll do the best you can
I have faith in your abilities to comfort me
But it don't take much from me
It doesn't require much effort on my part
Just my cup of Joe
Just a small gesture like bringing me coffee
Oh there's love inside me
I am full of love that I want to share with you
I believe there's going to be an explosion
I expect our love to grow and intensify
It's tough for me, oh baby
It's difficult for me to express my emotions
I can do worry
I tend to be anxious about our relationship
Tell me all your troubles
Share your problems with me so we can work through them together
You won't ever have to worry now
I will always be here to support you and alleviate your concerns
Just one more thing, ask everybody
I have one more request, ask everyone you know
Everybody you see, no, no
Absolutely everyone that crosses your path
You'll find yourself lost
You will become disoriented and unsure
And alone on a darkened street
You will find yourself isolated and without assistance
Won't you teach me, baby?
Can you please show me how to love you better?
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: ROGER KENT SPRINGER, MIKE SELF, JOHN J. NORTHRUP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind