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.
Dance Little Sister
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Would you care to dance grandmother?
(Do do do)
Hey you give up the ghost that's haunting you now
Shout it out don't let it stay inside and eat you alive
Make up your mind don't you understand this side of the line
I can assure you when you're my age you'll learn from all you've left behind
You've got to dance little sister don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow I don't wanna hear you're late
Dance little sister don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow don't give up your stay
Say say say now share the weight and lay your cross down
And let the long reaching arm of hope bring you around
It ain't easy but giving up is the easy thing to do
Time is on your side would you just watch the clock and let it tick for you
You've got to dance little sister don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow I don't wanna hear you're late
Dance little sister don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow don't give up your stay
You've got to dance little sister don't give up today
Hang on till tomorrow I don't wanna hear you're late
Dance little sister don't give up today
The lyrics to Terence Trent D'Arby's "Dance Little Sister" convey a message of motivation and persistence. The opening line, "Get up outta your rockin' chair grandma! or rather, Would you care to dance grandmother?" serves to break down the barriers of age and stereotype, encouraging the listener to get up and move despite any perceived limitations they may have. The next lines invite the listener to face and let go of any "ghosts" or emotional baggage that may be haunting them. D'Arby emphasizes the importance of taking ownership of one's thoughts and experiences, stating "Make up your mind don't you understand this side of the line, I can assure you when you're my age you'll learn from all you've left behind."
The chorus, repeated three times throughout the song, is a call to action. "You've got to dance little sister don't give up today, hang on till tomorrow, don't give up your stay." Here, D'Arby reinforces the theme of persistence, urging the listener not to give up and to hold on until the next day. He offers a message of hope and encouragement in the midst of adversity, stating "Say say say now share the weight and lay your cross down, and let the long reaching arm of hope bring you around. It ain't easy but giving up is the easy thing to do, time is on your side would you just watch the clock and let it tick for you."
In conclusion, "Dance Little Sister" is a powerful song that motivates the listener to persevere through challenges and hold onto hope. D'Arby uses vivid imagery and evocative lyrics to encourage the listener to take control of their thoughts and emotions, and to keep pushing forward no matter the circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Get up outta your rockin' chair grandma! or rather, Would you care to dance grandmother? (Do do do)
Encouragement for an elderly woman to get up and dance instead of sitting in her chair. The singer is asking the grandmother if she wants to dance.
Hey you give up the ghost that's haunting you now Shout it out don't let it stay inside and eat you alive Make up your mind don't you understand this side of the line I can assure you when you're my age you'll learn from all you've left behind
The singer is telling someone to let go of their past and to speak up about their problems. They should make a decision and move on from the situation because eventually they will learn from it.
You've got to dance little sister don't give up today Hang on till tomorrow I don't wanna hear you're late Dance little sister don't give up today Hang on till tomorrow don't give up your stay
The singer is encouraging someone to keep going and not give up. They are reminding them to take things day by day and not to give up even when things get tough.
Say say say now share the weight and lay your cross down And let the long reaching arm of hope bring you around It ain't easy but giving up is the easy thing to do Time is on your side would you just watch the clock and let it tick for you
The artist is telling someone to share their burden and not to carry it alone. They should have hope and know that time is on their side. It may not be easy, but giving up is not the right answer.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Terence Trent D'Arby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
King Mojo
"Introducing the Hardline according to Terence Trent D'Arby" is one of the greatest album of my youth...Sananda without a shadow of a doubt is a true legend
Jonathan Wightman
One of the best albums ever written.
Jai Leal
Phenomenal album full of tracks well ahead of their time, This and jagged little pill ( Morrisete) are albums of my youth that always make me smile.
Gabriel Cosceari
Tremendo el ritmo de esta canción!!
Ambient Backgrounds
The bass is BANGIN!!!!!!
Francesco Olivi
...a distanza di anni...è sempre BELLA!
Caroline Watts
A long forgotten brilliant song
Emanuel Kurmann
Story unique in musichistory, came to BRD and throwing this masterpiece Like it was a Pause concert
JAVIER ZARATE
Súper rola 👍👍👍
Miguel Angel Ramirez Fernandez
Pura energía . 80''