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)
Roses
Seal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
You became the light on the dark side of me
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can't be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
Baby, to me, you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can't be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah (yeah)
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
And if I should fall, will it all go away? (I've been kissed by a rose on the grey)
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
To me, you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny (yeah)
No won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can't be seen?
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah (yeah)
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
The lyrics to Seal's song, Kiss From A Rose, are about the power of love and the transformative effect it can have on a person's life. The opening lines describe a lonely tower surrounded by the sea, creating an image of isolation and despair. However, the introduction of a lover changes everything, as they become the light that illuminates the dark side of the singer's personality. Love is compared to a drug that brings a high and the person becomes addicted to their partner just like a growing addiction that can't be denied. The chorus contains the famous line "Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey." The rose is a symbol of the lover and the kiss represents the transformative power of their love. The more the singer experiences this love, the stranger it feels and the better they become as a person. The snow is used as an image to show the effect of the lover's light on the singer's eyes.
The second verse contains the lines "There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say. You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain." This describes the complexity of the singer's relationship with their lover. They are inextricably bound to them, and they are both a source of joy and suffering. The singer wonders if this addiction is healthy, but the power of their love is too strong for them to resist. The chorus is repeated and the song ends on the line "Now that your rose is in bloom, a light hits the gloom on the grey." This means that the lover has brought light into the singer's dark world and everything is transformed by their love.
Overall, the lyrics to Kiss From A Rose are a beautiful and poetic expression of the transformative power of love. Through the use of powerful imagery and catchy music, the song captures the essence of love and its ability to change a person's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Ba-ya-ya, ba-da, ba-da-da-da, ba-ya-ya
Repetitive sounds that set the tone of the song
There used to be a greying tower alone on the sea
The grey tower symbolizes loneliness and isolation
You became the light on the dark side of me
The person being sung about brings joy and positivity to the singer's life
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill
Love is an addictive feeling that gives happiness without any physical substance
But did you know that when it snows
My eyes become large and
The light that you shine can't be seen?
The love and happiness brought by the person being sung about is so intense that it can't be seen clearly
Baby, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
The person being sung about is compared to something beautiful and rare that stands out amongst darkness
Ooh, the more I get of you, the stranger it feels, yeah
The singer is experiencing an unfamiliar feeling of intensity and cannot fully comprehend it
And now that your rose is in bloom
A light hits the gloom on the grey
Now that the person being sung about is fully open and happy, their joy spreads to the singer and becomes visible in their life
There is so much a man can tell you, so much he can say
You remain my power, my pleasure, my pain
There are no words that can fully capture the emotions and importance the person being sung about holds in the singer's life
Baby, to me, you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me, is that healthy, baby?
The love and happiness brought by the person being sung about is becoming so strong that the singer is almost addicted, and they question if it's healthy
I've been kissed by a rose on the grey
The singer has experienced the beauty and rarity of the person being sung about
And if I should fall, will it all go away? (I've been kissed by a rose on the grey)
The singer fears losing the happiness and love brought by the person being sung about if they were to lose them
Yes, I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the grey
Reiteration of the comparison of the person being sung about to something beautiful and rare amongst darkness
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Henry Olusegun Adeola Samuel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind