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)
don't cry
Seal Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Those tears are for someone else
I hear your voice on the phone
I hear you feel so alone
My baby
Oh my baby
Please my baby
My baby
When we were young
And truth was paramount
We were older then,
And we lived a life without any doubt
Those memories,
They seem so long ago
What's become of them? (They've all gone for sure)
When you feel like me I want you to know
Don't cry
Not alone
Don't cry tonight, my baby
Don't cry you'll always be loved
Don't cry tonight my baby
Today I dreamed
Of friends I had before
And I wonder why
The ones who care don't call anymore
My feelings hurt
But you know I overcome the pain
And I'm stronger now
There can't be a fire unless there's a flame
Don't cry
Your not alone
Don't cry tonight, my baby
Don't cry you'll always be loved
Don't cry oh
Limousines and sycophants
Don't leave me now,
'Cause I'm afraid what you've done to me
Is now the wolf
In my bed
In my head
In my head
In my head
The challenges, we took were hard enough
They get harder now
Even when we think that we've had enough
Don't feel alone,
'Cause it's I you understand
I'm your sedative,
Take a piece of me whenever you can
Don't cry you're not alone (don't be so hard on yourself)
Don't cry tonight my baby (these tears are for someone else)
Don't cry you'll always be loved (I hear your voice on the phone)
Don't cry tonight sweet baby (I hear you fear so alone)
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't you cry, cry
Don't cry 'cause you still be loved
Don't cry
Don't cry tonight, oh
My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby
My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby
My baby, my baby, my baby
Don't cry tonight
You'll still be loved
The song 'Don't Cry' by Seal can be interpreted in various ways, but some of the most notable themes are love, loss, and the human experience. The lyrics in the chorus, "Don't cry, not alone, don't cry tonight my baby," can be seen as a reassurance to someone who is going through a difficult time that they are not alone, and they will always be loved. The verses seem to touch on different aspects of the human experience, such as remembering the past, feeling hurt, and taking on challenges.
The first verse of the song can be interpreted as someone reaching out to another person who is going through a difficult time. They are saying that the tears they are shedding are not for themselves, but for the other person. The repetition of the word 'baby' adds an element of tenderness to the song, and also creates a feeling of closeness between the singer and the person they are addressing.
The second verse seems to be about nostalgia and the passage of time. The singer is looking back on the people they used to know and realizing that they have lost touch with many of them. Despite the pain that they feel when they think about it, they are also celebrating their own strength for having overcome that pain.
Overall, the song has a message of hope and togetherness. Even when times are tough, there is always someone who cares and is willing to offer a hand of support. The last line of the song, "you'll still be loved," is a reminder to the listener that no matter what happens, there will always be people who love and care for them.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't be so hard on yourself
Don't be overly critical of yourself
Those tears are for someone else
The emotions you're expressing aren't only about you
I hear your voice on the phone
I've spoken to you recently
I hear you feel so alone
You're expressing feelings of loneliness
My baby
A term of endearment for someone close
Oh my baby
An expression of care and concern
Please my baby
Asking the person not to suffer
When we were young
Recalling a time in the past
And truth was paramount
When honesty and sincerity were valued above all else
We were older then,
Since that time we've grown and changed
And we lived a life without any doubt
Back then we had confidence in ourselves and the choices we made
Those memories,
Reminiscing about the past
They seem so long ago
The memories feel distant and far away
What's become of them? (They've all gone for sure)
Questioning where those memories have gone
When you feel like me I want you to know
Expressing empathy for someone going through a similar experience
Don't cry
Be strong and don't give in to sadness
Not alone
Others are there to support you
Don't cry tonight, my baby
Don't let emotions overwhelm you
Don't cry you'll always be loved
Reminding the person that they're cared for
Today I dreamed
Reflecting on a dream
Of friends I had before
Thinking about past friendships
And I wonder why
Questioning why those friends don't communicate anymore
The ones who care don't call anymore
Noticing the absence of people who once cared
My feelings hurt
Experiencing emotional pain
But you know I overcome the pain
Acknowledging the ability to move on and overcome challenges
And I'm stronger now
The hardships have made me more resilient
There can't be a fire unless there's a flame
You can't have passion without experiencing difficulties and setbacks
Limousines and sycophants
Referencing the trappings of wealth and those who flatter the wealthy
Don't leave me now,
Asking someone to not abandon you
'Cause I'm afraid what you've done to me
The possibility of being hurt by someone
Is now the wolf
A metaphor for something dangerous and threatening
In my bed
Something that's present in my life
In my head
Occupying my thoughts and emotions
The challenges, we took were hard enough
Past difficulties were challenging but manageable
They get harder now
Current challenges are more difficult to overcome
Even when we think that we've had enough
We feel spent and unable to face any more challenges
Don't feel alone,
Encouraging the person to reach out for support
'Cause it's I you understand
Assuring the person that you understand their struggles
I'm your sedative,
Referencing the ability to provide comfort and calmness
Take a piece of me whenever you can
Encouraging the person to lean on you for support
Don't cry you're not alone (don't be so hard on yourself)
Reiterating that the person has support and to avoid self-blame
Don't cry tonight my baby (these tears are for someone else)
Appealing to the person's emotions to prevent excessive crying
Don't cry you'll always be loved (I hear your voice on the phone)
A reminder that they're cared for and not alone in their struggles
Don't cry tonight sweet baby (I hear you fear so alone)
Offering comfort and reassurance
Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry, don't you cry, cry
Repeating the refrain to emphasize the message
Don't cry 'cause you still be loved
Reassuring the person that they're still valued and loved
Don't cry
Encouraging emotional strength
Don't cry tonight, oh
Repeating the message
My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby
Repeating the term of endearment to emphasize the closeness
My baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby, my baby
Repeating the term of endearment
My baby, my baby, my baby
Repeating the term of endearment
Don't cry tonight
Repeating the refrain to emphasize the message
You'll still be loved
Reassuring the person that they're valued and loved
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: SEAL HENRI SAMUEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind