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.
Are You Happy?
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I tell you this
With an eye on your future
Yes I know
Mind my own business
But I am here
As an aid and a comfort
I can see what you're going through
But all in all
Here's that I'm wondering
I want to know
Are you happy?
Look me in the eye
And answer my question
I want to know
Are you happy?
Or are you afraid
Of decisions that you need to make?
I know that life's about choices
But making a wrong one
Will not stop the world
When in doubt just live the questions
And someday you will grow into the answer
You're allowed as many mistakes
As you need to learn and move on
Well, well, well now ponder this
Cause my heart is ringing a bell
I want to know
Are you happy?
I'm coming to you from Heartbeat Avenue
I wanna know
Are you happy,
Or are you running
From decisions that you need to make?
I wanna know
Are you happy?
Can I be of service?
What can I do to help you now?
I know life's a bitch sometimes
But you got to take it in
Chew it up
And spit it out again
You got to accept the pain
You can't get around it
You can't get under it
But you can get over it
In "Are You Happy?", TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY emphasizes the importance of making good decisions and being happy in life. Throughout the song, he acknowledges that making decisions can be difficult and tear-inducing, but he encourages people to keep going and not give up. His message is that life is not always simple, but it is important to move forward and learn from any mistakes made along the way.
He further expresses his view that life is about choices and the fear of making the wrong choices should not stop a person from making decisions that will lead to happiness. He suggests that mistakes are necessary in life, and that they should not be feared, but rather learned from. He urges people to seek help and support from those around them when they find it challenging to make decisions, so they can face their problems and overcome them.
Overall, "Are You Happy?" is a hopeful and inspiring song that encourages people to seize every opportunity life brings, make good decisions, move forward, and pursue their happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
I know that it's your own life
I understand that you have complete control over your own life
I tell you this
I am saying this to you because I care
With an eye on your future
I am considering how this will affect your future
Yes I know
I am aware of your situation
Mind my own business
I will leave you alone unless you need my help
But I am here
I am present and available to you
As an aid and a comfort
I am here to support you
I can see what you're going through
I understand the struggles you are facing
Cause we've all been there before
I can relate to what you are experiencing
But all in all
Overall
Here's what I'm wondering
I have a question for you
I want to know
I am curious and concerned
Are you happy?
Are you content with your life right now?
Look me in the eye
Make a sincere connection with me
And answer my question
Reply honestly
Or are you afraid
Are you nervous or scared?
Of decisions that you need to make?
Are you hesitant to make important choices?
I know that life's about choices
The nature of life is decision-making
But making a wrong one
Even if you make a mistake
Will not stop the world
The world will continue to turn
When in doubt just live the questions
When uncertain, ponder your options
And someday you will grow into the answer
You will eventually find a solution
You're allowed as many mistakes
It is okay to make errors
As you need to learn and move on
You must learn from them and move forward
Well, well, well now ponder this
Consider this further
Cause my heart is ringing a bell
I have a strong feeling about this
I'm coming to you from Heartbeat Avenue
I am reaching out to you from an emotional place
Or are you running
Are you avoiding or evading?
From decisions that you need to make?
Are you shying away from important choices?
Can I be of service?
Can I assist you in some way?
What can I do to help you now?
How can I be of aid at present?
I know life's a bitch sometimes
Life can be challenging
But you got to take it in
You must accept it
Chew it up
Take it on and tackle it
And spit it out again
And come out the other side renewed
You got to accept the pain
You must face the challenges and difficult times
You can't get around it
You cannot avoid it
You can't get under it
Nor can you escape it
But you can get over it
You can rise above it
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind