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)
Just Like You Said
Seal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I am
So unsure
Every minute that waits
Every second I'm away
From you
And love
Has no rules
Know that I'm loving you
Even if it's
A fool that waits in vain
Waits in vain
Yesterday it hit me
That we were slipping away
Say you if youi can it's okay
Just like you said way then
Sometime I fall
And I feel like
I don't know the way
Say if you can it's okay
Just like you said then
Just like you said
Now
Now my days become long
Okay
I know I'll never feel the same again
So please
Don't let
My lows bring you down
Always know that
I need you
Yes I do
Yes I do oh
Yesterday it hit me
I felt we were slipping away
Say if you can
It's okay
Just like you said way there
Sometime I fall
and I, I feel like
I don't know the way
Won't you say if you can
It's okay
Just like you said then
Just like you said oh
Oh
My my my my my again
Yesterday it hit me
I felt you were slipping
Away
Say if if you can it's okay
Just like you said way then
Sometime I fall and I feel
I don't know the way
Won't you say if you can
it's okay
Just like you said then
Just like you said oh
Just like you said then
Just like you said oh
Just like you said way back then
Just like you said
The opening lines of "Just Like You Said" by Seal express a feeling of uncertainty and vulnerability. The singer is unsure of himself and his relationship with "you." It's clear that this person means a great deal to him since every moment spent apart feels like an eternity. Love is described as a way that has no rules, which suggests that the singer is willing to go to great lengths to show his love, even if it means breaking conventions or taking risks. However, he also acknowledges that waiting for love can sometimes feel like a foolish and vain endeavor. In the chorus, the singer recalls a conversation he had with "you" in which they discussed the idea that sometimes he will fall and not know the way. "Say if you can it's okay," he pleads, asking for reassurance that their love will withstand any challenges they may face.
The second verse of the song shows that the singer's insecurity is taking a toll on him. His days feel longer and he is filled with a sense of loss that he knows will never go away. Yet despite this, he tries to push past his lows and not bring down the person he loves. Again, he recalls the earlier conversation and asks for affirmation that despite his shortcomings, they will be okay. The song ends on a haunting note, with the repeated phrase "Just like you said way back then" emphasizing the idea that the singer is clinging to a promise or a hope that "you" gave him in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
I, I am
I am uncertain
So unsure
I am lacking confidence
Every minute that waits
The time we spend apart feels endless
Every second I'm away
Even the shortest time apart from you is painful for me
From you
I am away from the person I love
And love
Love is precious
Is a way that
Love is a path
Has no rules
There are no set guidelines for love
Know that I'm loving you
I want you to know that I love you
Even if it's
Even if it means
A fool that waits in vain
I am willing to risk being foolish and waiting for your love
Yesterday it hit me
Yesterday I realized
That we were slipping away
Our love is fading
Say you if youi can it's okay
If you can, reassure me that things are fine
Just like you said way then
Like you said before when everything was good
Sometime I fall
Sometimes I stumble
And I feel like
I am overwhelmed
I don't know the way
I feel lost
Now
Currently
Now my days become long
My days seem never-ending
Okay
It's bearable
I know I'll never feel the same again
Our love will never be the same as before
So please
I am begging you
Don't let
Prevent
My lows bring you down
I don't want my sadness to make you unhappy
Always know that
Remember that
I need you
I depend on you
Yesterday it hit me
Yesterday I realized
I felt we were slipping away
I sensed our love was fading
Say if you can
If it's possible
Just like you said way there
Like you used to reassure me
Won't you say if you can
Please tell me if you can
Just like you said then
Reassure me like before
Oh
Expressing strong emotion
My my my my my again
Experience repeated emotions
Just like you said way back then
Like you used to reassure me in the past
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: Christopher A. Bruce, Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind