The Beginning
Seal [1991] Lyrics


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Five
Six
Seven

The beginning saw existence of a chosen dream
But then came pain
With energy striking on those she knew would uncover her lies
She felt she must destroy everything that we had prayed for
So she sent shameful claim in her lies
She wants us to be what's going on in her mind

Music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold on to the love.
Hold on to the love.
Music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold on to the love.
Nahhh nah nah nah

Hold on to the love
We are smiling.

She wants us to be what's going on in her mind.
If she is to take over she must prevent unity.
But oh how cold her life must be.
She knows she must destroy everything that we had prayed for.
So here comes shameful claim in her lies. (L)

Music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold on to the love.
Hold on to the love.
Music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold onto the love.
Smiling again
Hold on to the love.

Nahhh nah nah nah
Hold on
Nahhh nah nah nah
Hold on
Nahhh nah nah nah
Nahhh nah nah nah
Hold on
Nahhh nah nah nah
Hold on
Hold on to the love.

The music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold on to the love.
Hold on to the love.

Music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold on to the love.
Hold on to the love.

Hold on
Round and round and round and round and round,

Hold on to the love

Go round, go round but hold on to the love.
Hold on to the love.

Music takes you round and round and round and round and round,
Hold on to the love.

Go round.
Go round.
Hold on to the love
So hard for me to try and tell you how I feel.

Ah, no no, no love.
Go round.
Gonna hold on.
Go round yeah.
But hold on to love.
The music takes you round.
It takes you round and round and round,
But hold on to love.
Hold on.
Hold on to love.
Hold on.





Sorrow
Hold on to love

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Seal's "The Beginning" seem to be speaking to a situation in which a group or community has come together based on a shared dream or vision. However, the dream is threatened by the arrival of "pain" and "energy" that aim to "uncover [the dream's] lies". The dream is also threatened by a figure who wants to impose her own thoughts and visions on the community, embarking on a campaign of lies and division. Seal urges the community to "hold on to the love" despite all of these threats, allowing the music to lift them up and sustain them.


The lyrics also suggest that holding on to love is not an easy or straightforward task. There are moments of faltering ("So hard for me to try and tell you how I feel") and moments of temptation to give in to the negativity and division being promoted by the external forces. However, the repeated refrain of "hold on to the love" and the energetic repetition of the music convey a sense of determination and resilience. It's as if the music and the community's ability to come together through it are the keys to surviving and flourishing in the face of adversity.


Line by Line Meaning

The beginning saw existence of a chosen dream
At the start, there was a dream that was meant to exist.


But then came pain
However, soon after, pain was felt.


With energy striking on those she knew would uncover her lies
The one causing the pain targeted and attacked those who could reveal her dishonesty.


She felt she must destroy everything that we had prayed for
Feeling the need to take control, she made efforts to ruin everything that people hoped for and worked towards.


So she sent shameful claim in her lies
She spread deceitful information in order to shame others and bring about her own agenda.


She wants us to be what's going on in her mind
Her ultimate goal is to have others align with her own thoughts and beliefs.


Music takes you round and round and round and round and round, Hold on to the love. Hold on to the love. Music takes you round and round and round and round and round, Hold on to the love. Nahhh nah nah nah Hold on
Through the ups and downs that music can bring, hold onto love and what's important.


We are smiling.
We're trying to maintain positivity and be happy despite the challenges.


If she is to take over she must prevent unity.
In order to gain power, she needs to prevent others from coming together.


But oh how cold her life must be.
This is likely because she's so consumed by control and malice that she doesn't have love or close relationships.


Go round, go round but hold on to the love.
Even as things continue to be uncertain or difficult, continue to hold onto love and what matters most.


So hard for me to try and tell you how I feel.
It can be difficult to express oneself when things feel uncertain or stressful.


Ah, no no, no love. Go round. Gonna hold on. Go round yeah. But hold on to love. The music takes you round. It takes you round and round and round, But hold on to love. Hold on. Hold on to love. Hold on.
Despite the chaotic nature of life, cling to love and try to remain grounded amidst the turmoil.


Sorrow Hold on to love
Even when dealing with sadness, remember to hold on to love and keep moving forward.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

@teelurizzo8542

Seal's 1991 self-titled debut record is IMHO still his best work. And this opener is just killer, melodic, great groove, metaphysical lyrics. Too bad they ditched the beautiful outro.

@alegauna366

This is the lp edit

@teelurizzo8542

@@alegauna366 I have the CD . The version it has is the longer one. Why is the 'lp edit' different?

@Billkwando

All of that is 100%. Shame about the edit, indeed.

@Billkwando

@@alegauna366 Yeah, my album version is 5 minutes and 40 seconds.

@spacejockey4746

Agreed. I bought the cassette in fall ‘91, eventually updated to CD, then digital. It’s one of the VERY few albums that I still play several times per month. The keyboard here 3:00 gives me goosebumps and heartache.

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@mcnugget677

I remember I had a CD copy of this album when I was 7 and I used to listen to it when I was alone and scared in the dark, I still to this day love this album.

@VoiceOfTheEmperor

This song is my earliest musical memory.

@viggencwb

Essa música tem quase 20 anos e continua show de bola...Seal é bom demais!!!!

@kenrosenberg5985

30 anos agora

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