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.
As Yet Untitled
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Far from a river where things grow green
The flowers weep and they lean away
From the blood stained soil beneath my feet
The thorns outnumber the petals on the rose
And the darkness amplifies the sound of printers' ink
On propaganda page
That will rule your life and fuel my rage
But my knees were already bent
I haven't stood like a man for such a long time now
I called to my god but he was sleeping on that day
I guess I'll just have to depend on me
Shall I tell my children if they ask of me
Did I surrender forth my right to be?
Y'see my daddy died to leave this haunting ground
And this same ground still haunts me
The cool September blows the seeds away
The harvest blown again this year
But I'll return a stronger man
I'll return to me my homeland
No grave shall hold my body down
This land is still my home
I said:
But I'll return a stronger man
I'll return to me my homeland
No grave shall hold my body down
This land is still my home
This land is still my home
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world
, Terence Trent D'Arby paints a vivid picture of a desolate place in his song "As Yet Untitled." The lyrics of the song describe a location out by a shanty where the dust hangs high and the flowers weep and lean away from the blood-stained soil beneath his feet. The thorns outnumber the petals on the rose, and the darkness amplifies the sound of propaganda that will rule your life and fuel his rage. The singer had tried to bend his knees, but they were already bent, and he hasn't stood like a man for such a long time now. He called to his god, but he was sleeping on that day, and so he thinks he'll have to depend on himself.
The lyrics then shift to the singer's haunting connection to the land. His father died, leaving him this same ground, which still haunts him. The cool September blows the seeds away, and the harvest is blown again this year. Despite everything, he'll return a stronger man and return to his homeland. No grave shall hold his body down, because this land is still his home. These lyrics express a deep connection to the land, even in the face of adversity and hardship.
This song is an emotional and powerful tribute to the connection between a person and their homeland. It emphasizes the role that our roots and the land we come from have in shaping who we are and how we see the world. It also highlights the importance of standing up for oneself and not relying on external forces to determine one's path in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Out by a shanty where the dust hangs high
I am in a remote, dusty location far from civilization
Far from a river where things grow green
This place lacks the necessary resources for growth and prosperity
The flowers weep and they lean away
The environment is harsh and unforgiving, even the flowers struggle to survive
From the blood stained soil beneath my feet
The history of this land is plagued by violence and bloodshed
The thorns outnumber the petals on the rose
The difficulties and obstacles here are more numerous than the pleasures and joys
And the darkness amplifies the sound of printers' ink
The media and propaganda here are mostly negative and fear-mongering
On propaganda page
Media and propaganda are often used to manipulate and control the masses
That will rule your life and fuel my rage
The oppressive systems in place cause anger and frustration
I tried to bend my knees
I attempted to humble myself and find a solution
But my knees were already bent
The problems here are too big to solve by myself
I haven't stood like a man for such a long time now
My spirit and confidence have been beaten down by this place
I called to my god but he was sleeping on that day
I turned to faith for help, but it did not come
I guess I'll just have to depend on me
I must rely on myself to overcome these challenges
Shall I tell my children if they ask of me
If my children ask about my struggles, what should I say?
Did I surrender forth my right to be?
Did I give up my freedom and dignity to survive here?
Y'see my daddy died to leave this haunting ground
My father died hoping to improve his family's situation in this difficult place
And this same ground still haunts me
The painful memories and struggles of this land continue to affect me
The cool September blows the seeds away
The harsh weather and conditions make it hard for good things to grow
The harvest blown again this year
Despite hard work, the rewards are often taken away by unpredictable factors
But I'll return a stronger man
I will not let this place defeat me, I will come back stronger
I'll return to me my homeland
I will reclaim my identity and roots in my home region
No grave shall hold my body down
I will overcome any obstacle and not be defeated by this place
This land is still my home
Despite everything, I still feel a connection and loyalty to this place
Meanwhile, on the other side of the world
Switching topics, now a different situation altogether is being discussed
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, EMI Music Publishing
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
ScrittiSparkle
these past few weeks i havent been able to get this song outta my head,,as a young girl it got to me,as an older woman i know what it means,its a pure,heartfelt song,that means so much,,ill listen to it for the rest of my life,its so touching and i thank sananda for it,btw my other fav is sign your name,fell in love with that song a million years ago
Mike Brothers
In 1987 I purchased my first stereo, his CD still remains in that same stereo.
Megan Russell
That's too sweet. This album made a permanent mark on my life too. I never stop returning to these tracks. 🎶
Jokin
My dad died yesterday. This was his favourite album.
Fabio Dish
This is my favorite track
❤️
Nathan Cox
Has always been mine as well ever since I sang with the Oakland Youth Choir years ago.
Mr Night Williams
Oh I couldn't have said this better. How prophetic this song is. Would I tell my children if they ask me, did I surrendered forth my right to be. Thank you for your truth bro.
Maza Mike
You’d think after all these years he’d finally give it a title 🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️🤷🏽♂️
Nameless three days
Popped in my head today.
11-28-22❤
MsAudities
fave track off this album <3