The album also earned the artist a Grammy Award in March 1988 in the category of 'Best R&B Vocal Performance, Male'. In that same year, D'Arby earned three Soul Train Award nominations for 'Male Album of the Year' (from releasing 'Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby'), 'Male Single of the Year' (from releasing "Wishing Well"), and 'Best New Artist'. Receiving immense critical praise for a work that became RIAA certified as mutli-platinum, fans worried that he may have peaked too early, but they found D'Arby determined to continue down his own unique musical path.
D'Arby was born in Manhattan, New York, and he joined the army after leaving college, serving in Elvis Presley's old regiment in Germany. He was formally discharged by the army in 1983 after going absent without leave. While in Germany, he also worked with the group The Touch, releasing an album of material called 'Love On Time' in 1984. That album was later re-issued in 1989 as 'Early Works'.
D'Arby's follow-up studio album, 'Neither Fish Nor Flesh', came out in 1989. It sold over two million copies and earned praise from fans. Many critical reviews, however, were mixed and faulted D'Arby for what they saw as wandering about musically with a purpose, and the artist's acrimonious disputes with his record label grated on him. Note that the album is often alternatively known as 'Neither Fish Nor Flesh: A Soundtrack of Love, Faith, Hope & Destruction',
The expectations placed on D'Arby's shoulders from his early success caused him to undertake some needed soul searching. It took four more years and a move to Los Angeles, California until his next project, 1993's 'Symphony or Damn', was released. Also known as 'Symphony or Damn: Exploring the Tension Inside the Sweetness', the work proved somewhat of a commercial comeback and peaked at #4 on the U.K. album charts while receiving many supportive reviews.
D'Arby had moved into more and more of a musical vibe influenced by gritty rock, often inspired by blues. In 1995, D'Arby released 'Vibrator', which largely followed his previous work in its musical direction. Sadly, his commercial prospects were judged by many critics to be waning.
During the mid-90s, the relations between the artist and his label, Columbia Records, had became strained to the braking point, leading to the artist's departure in 1996. This was followed by four-years on Java Records, during which he recorded an album titled 'Terence Trent D'Arby's Solar Return'. Said work, however, was never released. In 2000, he bought the rights to his unreleased album and left the record company as well as Lippman Entertainment, which was his then-management-team.
In 1999, D'Arby was briefly hired by INXS to replace his friend, late vocalist Michael Hutchence, so the band could play at the opening of facilities for the Sydney Olympics.
In 2001 D'Arby changed his name to Sananda Francesco Maitreya. The same year, he settled in Munich, Germany, and started his own independent record label, Treehouse Pub. The year also marked his first album release in six years, Wildcard (the unreleased "Solar Return"). The album, first available for free through his website, was later released through a one-album distribution deal with Universal Music.
In 2002 Maitreya moved to Milan, Italy, and began working on his next project, Angels & Vampires - Volume I.
In July 2005 Maitreya started working on Angels & Vampires - Volume II, he released chapter after chapter online as soon he finished recording the songs. In April 2006 he released the finished album; again via his website.
Since 2006, Maitreya has released five more studio albums, alongside touring and the release of a few live albums and various live shows to his YouTube channel. In 2020, Maitreya was featured on The Avalanches' single Reflecting Light which would later be on their 'We Will Always Love You' album, later that same year.
Trivia:
D'Arby/Maitreya appeared in in the TV series "Shake, Rattle And Roll" where he played the part of Jackie Wilson. His music has also been included on several movie soundtracks, most notably 1991's Frankie and Johnny.
...And They Will Never Know
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the scented sea sands
With my lover morning
And they will never know and
How you came to me and
Kissed me passionately and
Said don't let it show and
And they will never know and
We are getting stronger
And we want the world to know
We are getting bolder
And we've got to let it show
And they must never know and
How I love you so and
How we rendezvous and
Do what no-one else can
How you take my free hand and
Say it will forever stand
But we must take it slow and
And they will never know and
We are gettting stronger
And we want the world to know
We are getting freer
And we've got let it show
When you were a sister
Of loneliness in Sivaville
No Goobers no Raisinettes
No Miracles no Marvelettes
When I was a solo boy
I breathed into the atmosphere
My yearning for a woman
Now I collapse into your smile
Om Nameh Sivayeh Om my darling!
On a starry island
On the scented sea sands
With my lover morning
And they will never know and
How you came to me and
Kissed me passionately and
Said don let it show and
And they will never know and
In this song, Terence Trent D'Arby sings about a secret romance that is hidden away from the world. He talks about spending time with his lover on a starry island, away from prying eyes. He describes how they kiss passionately and express their love for each other, but they must keep it a secret because "they will never know." The lyrics suggest that society would judge and disapprove of their love.
As the song progresses, D'Arby sings about wanting to let the world know about their love and how they are getting stronger and bolder. They want to break free from the constraints of society and express their love openly. However, they know that they must take it slow and keep their love a secret because of the judgement and potential repercussions.
Line by Line Meaning
On a starry island
The setting is a starry island, probably away from other people to keep their love secret.
On the scented sea sands
The couple is seated on the beach, opposite the sea, surrounded by the scent of fresh seawater.
With my lover morning
The singer is seated with their lover at sunrise, probably discussing the future of their relationship.
And they will never know and
The couple is keeping their love secret from everyone else and they plan to maintain it as such.
How you came to me and
The artist's lover initiated the relationship, and they probably met unexpectedly.
Kissed me passionately and
The singer's lover showed their passion towards them, probably through kissing, and the singer enjoyed it.
Said don't let it show and
The singer's lover is probably cautious about their relationship since it could be frowned upon or against societal expectations.
We are getting stronger
The couple's love is growing stronger, and they are more committed to each other than before.
And we want the world to know
The couple is proud of their relationship and wants the world to accept them, even though they have to keep it hidden.
We are getting bolder
The couple is becoming more courageous, and they are willing to take risks, which might compromise their secretive relationship.
And we've got to let it show
The couple wants their love to be known openly, but they are uncertain of whether it's the right thing to do.
And they must never know and
The couple's main priority is to keep their love secret, and no one, including their friends or family, should find out.
How I love you so and
The singer's love for their companion is intense, and it's something that they can't ignore or dismiss.
How we rendezvous and
The couple meets secretly, and their meetings are romantic and passionate.
Do what no-one else can
The love shared between the couple is unique, and there's something special about it that only they can understand.
How you take my free hand and
The artist's lover is protective and caring, and they constantly remind the artist that they have each other.
Say it will forever stand
The artist's lover is more committed to their relationship and is willing to stand by the artist's side, no matter what happens.
But we must take it slow and
Despite their strong love, the couple knows the risks of revealing their relationship and decides to keep it a secret and move cautiously.
When you were a sister
The singer is probably talking to his lover about the time when they were not together, and their lover was single and lonely in Sivaville.
Of loneliness in Sivaville
Sivaville is a place characterized by loneliness and lack of companionship.
No Goobers no Raisinettes
Goobers and Raisinettes refer to chocolate candy brands, and it's a portrayal of a lack of material pleasures in Sivaville.
No Miracles no Marvelettes
Miracles and Marvelettes used to be two popular music groups back in the day, and their absence from Sivaville symbolizes a lack of entertainment and excitement.
When I was a solo boy
Before meeting his lover, the singer was alone, and he might have been in a position where he was searching for love and companionship.
I breathed into the atmosphere
The artist is probably referring to his craving for a woman or a loving companion, which was the main thing on his mind.
My yearning for a woman
The singer was looking for a woman to love and spend his life with, and the need for love was strong in him.
Now I collapse into your smile
The singer's lover is responsible for the singer's happiness and the idea that the relationship gives the singer a sense of relief and satisfaction.
Om Nameh Sivayeh Om my darling!
This is the perfect culmination to the exchange between the two. It is probably an expression of his undiluted love for his darling.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind