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)
Life On Mars
Seal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the girl with the mousy hair
But her mummy is yelling "No"
And her daddy has told her to go
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
Now she walks through her sunken dream
To the seat with the clearest view
But the film is a saddening bore
For she's lived it ten times or more
She could spit in the eyes of fools
As they ask her to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
It's on Amerika's tortured brow
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Now the workers have struck for fame
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
See the mice in their million hordes
From Ibeza to the Norfolk Broads
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
But the film is a saddening bore
'Cause I wrote it ten times or more
It's about to be writ again
As I ask you to focus on
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
It's the freakiest show
Take a look at the Lawman
Beating up the wrong guy
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
He's in the best selling show
Is there life on Mars?
Seal's song "Life on Mars" is a cover of David Bowie's 1971 original. The song opens with the singer describing a girl with mousy hair, who is being told by her parents to leave. The girl's friend is nowhere to be seen, so she walks through her sunken dream to a seat with a clear view of the silver screen, indicating that she may be seeking escapism through movies. However, the film she watches is a saddening bore that she has lived through ten times before. She could spit in the eyes of fools as they ask her to focus on sailors fighting in a dance hall, cavemen, and Lawman beating up the wrong guy.
The singer then shifts to the state of the world, describing how Mickey Mouse, a symbol of American culture, has grown up to be a cow in the eyes of the world, and the workers have struck for fame because Lennon, another symbol of pop culture, is once again on sale. Britannia, a symbol of British power, is now out of bounds for the singer's mother, dog, and clowns, indicating a shift in the balance of power. The song concludes with a repetition of the earlier verse about sailors fighting in the dance hall, cavemen, and Lawman beating up the wrong guy, asking the question, "Is there life on Mars?"
Line by Line Meaning
It's a god-awful small affair
This situation is minor but it feels huge to those involved
To the girl with the mousy hair
The girl in question has a shy or quiet demeanor
But her mummy is yelling "No"
The girl's mother is opposed to something, possibly the girl's involvement in something
And her daddy has told her to go
The girl's father has instructed her to leave a certain situation or place
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
The girl's friend, who may have offered support, is absent
Now she walks through her sunken dream
The girl is moving through a dream or life that is depressing or unfulfilling
To the seat with the clearest view
She finds a vantage point that provides an unobstructed perspective
And she's hooked to the silver screen
She has become captivated by some form of entertainment
But the film is a saddening bore
The movie she's watching is dreary and unstimulating
For she's lived it ten times or more
The girl has experienced similar situations or events many times before
She could spit in the eyes of fools
The girl feels she is above those who lack knowledge or judgement
As they ask her to focus on
Others try to get her attention to direct her behavior or actions
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
There is a commotion at a venue featuring naval personnel
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
The scene is chaotic and primitive
It's the freakiest show
The event is outlandish and strange
Take a look at the Lawman
The police are attempting to control the situation
Beating up the wrong guy
The law enforcement officers are attacking someone who is not the intended target
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
The person attacked may not realize why it happened
He's in the best selling show
The commotion and violence are entertaining to onlookers
Is there life on Mars?
This question is posed, possibly as a commentary on how strange and unbelievable the situations in the song are.
It's on Amerika's tortured brow
The struggles and difficulties of America are reflected in the song
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Popular culture has become corrupted or exploited
Now the workers have struck for fame
People who perform menial labor are seeking fame or recognition through strikes or protests
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
The commodification of a famous musician, John Lennon, is viewed as negative
See the mice in their million hordes
Masses of people are seen as insignificant, like mice
From Ibeza to the Norfolk Broads
Various locations are mentioned to emphasize the widespread nature of this perspective
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
Traditional symbols of British power and influence are no longer relevant or meaningful
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
Even those who are usually seen as unimportant or silly can recognize the irrelevance of these symbols
It's about to be writ again
The same story is repeating itself
As I ask you to focus on
The listener is encouraged to pay attention to this repetition and its implications
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
The same chaotic scene is replayed
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
The same primitive and violent behavior is exhibited again
It's the freakiest show
The strangeness and absurdity of this situation is highlighted
Take a look at the Lawman
Again, the police try to control the situation
Beating up the wrong guy
And again, they attack the wrong person
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
The same person may be victimized again and left without understanding
He's in the best selling show
The violence and confusion are still a spectacle to onlookers
Is there life on Mars?
As if in frustration or confusion, the question is repeated again.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind