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 classic single, released in 1971. The song narrates the story of the girl with mousy hair, whose parents disapprove of her choices and disapprove of her company. Despite her parents’ protests, the girl steps out into her sunken dream and sits in a seat with the clearest view, hooked to the silver screen. However, the film she watches leaves her bored, as she has lived it ten times or more.
The lyrics are heavily metaphorical and portray the surreal atmosphere of the song. The sailors fighting in the dance hall, cavemen going wild, beating up the wrong guy and a lawman, are all symbolic of the societal pressure, politics and ubiquitous violence in the world. The girl in the song seems to long for a better place than this, asking if there is life on Mars, where humans have started anew.
Seal’s version of “Life on Mars?” stays loyal to the original song, while his soulful voice adds a unique, almost melancholy tone to it. The shifts of rhythm, intensity and melodies make the song an engaging listen. The lyrics remain as cryptic and elusive as ever, inviting personal interpretations from the listener.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a god-awful small affair
Life is insignificant and unpleasant.
To the girl with the mousy hair
The girl in question has unremarkable features, but is still caught up in the drudgery of life.
But her mummy is yelling 'No'
Her mother disapproves of the girl's choices or behavior.
And her daddy has told her to go
Her father has ordered her to leave, perhaps because of her rebellious or non-conforming ways.
But her friend is nowhere to be seen
The girl has no support or companionship through these trying times.
Now she walks through her sunken dream
The girl moves through life in a daze, her hope and vitality draining away.
To the seat with the clearest view
She seeks a place where she can see life clearly and objectively, detached from her emotions and experiences.
And she's hooked to the silver screen
Television or film has become an escape for the girl, an alternate reality where she can lose herself in fantasy and distraction.
But the film is a saddening bore
Even this diversion has lost its power to engage and entertain.
For she's lived it ten times or more
The girl is intimately familiar with this type of story or experience, through repetition or exposure.
She could spit in the eyes of fools
The girl feels superior to those still caught up in these trivial, meaningless distractions.
As they ask her to focus on
Others want her to join them in viewing these diversions, but she resists or refuses them.
Sailors fighting in the dance hall
More drama unfolds, but it is still trivial and disconnected from reality.
Oh man! Look at those cavemen go
Humanity is still ruled by instinct and primitive behavior, even in so-called civilized settings.
It's the freakiest show
The absurdity and chaos of life continue to amaze and fascinate, but in a dark and depressing way.
Take a look at the Lawman
Even those tasked with upholding social order are ridiculed and mocked, adding to the sense of disorder and disillusionment.
Beating up the wrong guy
Injustice and violence continue unchecked, with no retribution or accountability for the perpetrators.
Oh man! Wonder if he'll ever know
The victim is left to suffer alone, with no hope of being understood or vindicated.
He's in the best selling show
The violence and chaos of life have become a spectacle, a form of entertainment for those who do not grasp the gravity and tragedy of the situation.
Is there life on Mars?
The ultimate question: is there any place where life can be meaningful, where humanity can escape its endless cycle of suffering and futility?
It's on Amerika's tortured brow
The cultural and political dysfunction of the United States is a reflection of deep-seated anguish and confusion among its citizens.
That Mickey Mouse has grown up a cow
Even symbols of innocence and nostalgia have become corrupted and debased by commercialism and greed.
Now the workers have struck for fame
Workers have been reduced to pawns in a game of ambition and self-promotion, chasing illusions of power and notoriety.
'Cause Lennon's on sale again
The music and ideals of one of the few voices of hope and change have been co-opted and commodified for profit and manipulation.
See the mice in their million hordes
The masses have become mindless and expendable, instruments of their own oppression and enslavement to corporate and political interests.
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads
This condition is not isolated to any one place or culture, but has infected and consumed humanity on a global scale.
Rule Britannia is out of bounds
Even the symbols of national pride and power have lost their relevance and significance, offering no solace or inspiration to the disenchanted.
To my mother, my dog, and clowns
No one and nothing is exempt from this sense of despair and disillusionment, leaving even the closest and most personal connections in a state of confusion and frustration.
It's about to be writ again
The same cycle of pain and disappointment is about to repeat itself once more, with no end or escape in sight.
Lyrics © Ultra Tunes, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: David Bowie
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind