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.
Designated Fool
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For her private school
There he is her next suga daddy - o
Her designated fool
She's a teacher of unbelievable skill
I once loved her and now I' m paying the bill
Afrobatics
Video for fanatics
Athletics natural and synthetic
Designated fool
Right about now she's regulating on someone
With her juicy groove
If papa comes quick
She'll slow 'em down and teach 'em a textbook trick
Some advanced curriculum
She's a master
At stimulating her class
I once loved her
I graduated too fast
Afrobatics
Video for fanatics
In her private school
Athletics natural and synthetic
Designated fool
She's a master of unbelievable skill
I once loved her and now I'm paying the bill
Your diploma is quite impressive my son
Proudly displayed until another man comes
DESIGNATED FOOL(2)
Afrobatics
Video for fanatics
In her private school
Athletics natural and synthetic
Designated fool
The song "Designated Fool" by Terence Trent D'Arby appears to be about a woman who is using a man for her own financial benefit. She is described as being a teacher with unbelievable skill and the man is referred to as her designated fool. It appears that she is using her body and sexuality to manipulate men into giving her money and gifts, which is illustrated with the line, "there he is her next suga daddy - o."
The lyrics also suggest that this woman is very intelligent and cunning. She is able to manipulate men with her sexuality, but also with her intellect, as suggested by the line "She's a master at stimulating her class." The man who is singing the song appears to have been one of her former lovers who is now regretting getting involved with her and feeling exploited as a result, as shown by the line "I once loved her and now I'm paying the bill."
Overall, "Designated Fool" seems to be a cautionary tale warning men to be wary of women who may use their sexuality and intelligence to manipulate them for their own financial gain.
Line by Line Meaning
There she goes speculating on someone
She is gossiping about someone
For her private school
Within her close circle of friends and associates
There he is her next suga daddy - o
She has found her next wealthy, older male benefactor
Her designated fool
The person she manipulates and takes advantage of
She's a teacher of unbelievable skill
She is incredibly talented at seduction and manipulation
I once loved her and now I' m paying the bill
I was once in love with her and now I am suffering the consequences of being involved with her
Afrobatics
African dance moves
Video for fanatics
A video that appeals to enthusiasts
In her private school
Within her circle of influence
Athletics natural and synthetic
Both natural and performance-enhancing substances are used to achieve physical excellence
Designated fool
The person she manipulates and takes advantage of
Right about now she's regulating on someone
She is exerting her power over someone
With her juicy groove
With her seductive moves and charms
If papa comes quick
If someone with authority finds out
She'll slow 'em down and teach 'em a textbook trick
She has a skill for manipulating authority figures and avoiding consequences
Some advanced curriculum
Tricks and maneuvers for avoiding consequences
She's a master
She is an expert at seduction and manipulation
At stimulating her class
Eliciting the desired response and behavior from her targets
I once loved her
I was once in love with her
I graduated too fast
I was swept up in her manipulations too quickly
Your diploma is quite impressive my son
Your accomplishments are impressive
Proudly displayed until another man comes
Until someone else's achievements overshadow your own
DESIGNATED FOOL(2)
Reaffirmation that the person being taken advantage of is a fool
Afrobatics
African dance moves
Video for fanatics
A video that appeals to enthusiasts
In her private school
Within her circle of influence
Athletics natural and synthetic
Both natural and performance-enhancing substances are used to achieve physical excellence
Designated fool
The person she manipulates and takes advantage of
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: KENNETH KARLIN, CARSTEN SCHACK, TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind