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)
Wild
Seal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
If tried I don't think I could end it better this way,
All I have is a photograph.
And if loneliness can hurt as much as being cold.
Come over here woman and touch me you look so electric.
Cause all I ask is a second chance
Stroll on lady.
Stroll on.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over,
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over my pain,
Oh Lord,
You got a tear in your eye and a look to match it.
Well maybe you think you just can't get me out of your hair.
Don't try to resist it 'cause,
We're getting stronger,
The closer we become.
You are the best thing in my life
You are the best thing in my life
Stroll on lady.
Stroll on.
And take it to the edge.
Ohh oooh ahhh ahhh oooh ahhh baby.
Oooh-hh. Yeah!
Stroll on lady.
Stroll on
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make the world resolve and you take over.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make the world resolve and you take over.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over for
How long?
How long? Oh with my pain
How long?
Nah-nanana na na na na nanana na na na
Nah-na na na na na na na nanana na na na
Nah-na na na na na na na nanana na na na
Nah-nana nana na na na na nanana na na na
Oh and I don't need no one downstairs darlin'
Na na na na na na na nanana na na na
Na na na na na na na nanana na na na
Na na na na na na na nanana na na na
Na na na na na na na nanana na na na
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over
All my pain, oh babe
All of my pain love love.
Yeah yeah
All my pain
As you strip off my clothes
Acknowledge my pride
You took away all I got I got
You took away all I got
Take all I got
All I got baby
What I got
What I got
What I got baby
Take what I got baby
Take what I got
Take what I got
In this song, Seal describes the feeling of being lost in the world without the person he loves. The lyrics are filled with imagery describing the beauty and allure of the woman he is addressing, from the "wild laces with diamonds in your hair" to the electric energy she gives off. Despite the distance between them, he implores her to come to him and touch him, promising that he just needs a second chance to make things right.
The chorus repeats the line "when you smile you make my world resolve and you take over," indicating that the woman's happiness is integral to his own happiness and a solution to the pain he is experiencing. The bridge of the song showcases Seal's impressive vocal range as he sings about being stripped of his clothes and pride, with the repeated refrain "take what I got" emphasizing his willingness to give all he has to the woman he loves.
Line by Line Meaning
With you on a clear day, yeah.
In your presence, everything is crystal clear.
If tried I don't think I could end it better this way,
I do not regret anything, as ending things with you is perfect.
All I have is a photograph.
A single picture of you is all I need to feel complete.
And if loneliness can hurt as much as being cold.
Loneliness can be just as painful as physical discomfort.
Come over here woman and touch me you look so electric.
Your touch is electric, and I need it now more than ever.
Cause all I ask is a second chance
I beg for another chance to be with you.
Stroll on lady.
Walk with grace, my lady.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
Your hair, adorned with diamonds, is as wild as you are.
When you smile you make my world resolve and you take over,
Your radiant smile makes all of my problems disappear, and I am captivated by you.
Oh Lord,
An expression of awe and wonderment, possibly for the woman he loves.
You got a tear in your eye and a look to match it.
Your tears and expression tell a story I long to know.
Well maybe you think you just can't get me out of your hair.
You may think that I am hard to shake or forget about.
Don't try to resist it 'cause,
Do not fight your feelings, let them guide you.
We're getting stronger,
Our relationship is growing and becoming more profound.
The closer we become.
As we grow closer, our bond becomes stronger.
You are the best thing in my life
You are the most important and cherished part of my life.
Stroll on lady.
With each step, you exude elegance and grace.
And take it to the edge.
Push the boundaries of our love to the brink.
Wild laces with diamonds in your hair,
Your untamed self is matched by your hair sparkling with diamonds.
When you smile you make the world resolve and you take over my pain,
With a single smile, you make all the problems and pain in my world disappear.
How long? Oh with my pain How long?
I cannot bear this pain any longer; how much longer must I suffer?
Ohh oooh ahhh ahhh oooh ahhh baby.
An expression of deep admiration and love, perhaps for the woman he desires.
Oooh-hh. Yeah!
An excited expression of affirmation or agreement.
All my pain, oh babe
All the agony and distress I feel, my love.
As you strip off my clothes,
As you undress me, you expose my vulnerability and emotional nakedness.
Acknowledge my pride,
Recognize the efforts I have made to strengthen our relationship.
You took away all I got I got
You have taken everything I have, and I do not know what to do now.
Take all I got
Take everything that I have left.
All I got baby
Everything I have that I can offer you, my love.
What I got
All that I have to give and all that I am.
Take what I got baby
Take what little I have left to offer, my love.
Take what I got
Take everything that I have left to give.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SIGWORTH, SEAL SAMUEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind