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.
Don't Call Me Up
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't call me up when you're alone
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Don't call me on the telephone
I am the Captain,
But you just don't give a damn about my fantasy
You dial my number,
I have been all over in the world
From east to west - I've seen those smiling' Geisha girls
A place beyond the boundaries of Hell -
Mansions you've never seen or smelled
Don't call me up...
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Don't call me up when you're alone
Don't call me up...
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Don't call me up...
Don't call me on the telephone
I am the Captain,
I'll remind you of the fact I don't need no company
I don't want to buy ya
To release me from my daydream, and this fantasy
I have been upon the 7 seas
I've seen the world and all its treasuries
Let me introduce you to the members of the band...
Oh, I forgot...they're sitting dry - on land.
Don't call me up...
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
(Yeah...yeah)
Don't you call me up
Don't call me up when you're alone
I don't want you to call me up...
(Yeah...yeah)
Don't you call me up
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Hey...
Don't call me on the telephone
I have been all over in the world
From east to west - I've seen, I've seen those smiling' Geisha girls
A place beyond the boundaries of Hell -
Mansions you've never seen or smelled
So don't call me up
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
NO! He's...I'm...no I'm not home...
Just leave me alone...
Don't call me up when you're alone
Please, don't call here again...
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
No, no, I'm not the father of your baby...no.
Don't call me on the telephone
OH! Don't call me up.
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Yeah, yeah
Don't you call me up
Don't call me up when you're alone
Baby, hey baby, hey baby - don't call
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Yeah, yeah - don't you call me up...
Don't call me on the telephone
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Don't call me up when you're alone
Don't call me up - Don't call me up
Don't call me on the telephone...
Don't call me up
Terence Trent D'Arby's "Don't Call Me Up" is a song about the singer's desire to be left alone by someone who keeps calling him on the phone. In the lyrics, he asserts his independence and highlights that he doesn't need any company to fulfill his fantasies. He emphasizes that he has already traveled all over the world and seen things beyond the boundaries of hell. He also showcases his contempt for materialistic things by mentioning that he doesn't want to buy the person calling him to release him from his daydream. Furthermore, he sarcastically hints that he is not interested in the person calling him as the father of their baby.
The singer emphasizes his independence and that he is comfortable being on his own. He also asserts his authority by calling himself the captain. The repeated plea to not call him up shows his frustrations with the person on the other end of the line.
The overall tone of the song is rebellious, independent, and confident. The lyrics are simple and catchy, making it an enjoyable and fun track to listen to. It is a representation of D'Arby's blend of funk, soul, and rock, which made him a standout in the music industry at the time.
Line by Line Meaning
Don't call me up
Requesting the person not to call.
Don't call me up when you're alone
Emphasizing that the person should not reach out when they are lonely.
Don't call me on the telephone
Explicitly saying that phone calls are also not welcomed.
I am the Captain,
Introducing himself as the leader or authority figure.
But you just don't give a damn about my fantasy
Expressing frustration that the other person doesn't share his interests or dreams.
You dial my number,
Pointing out the other person's actions of repeatedly calling.
When I'm dreaming' of the places that I like to be
Clarifying that during the times of the other person's calls, the singer is imagining being elsewhere.
I have been all over in the world
Telling how the person has traveled widely.
From east to west - I've seen those smiling' Geisha girls
Describing an example of the singer's travels and experiences.
A place beyond the boundaries of Hell - Mansions you've never seen or smelled
Talking about unique experiences that the other person hasn't shared.
I'll remind you of the fact I don't need no company
Pointing out that the singer does not require companionship or support from others.
I don't want to buy ya
Stating that the person is not interested in purchasing the other's affection or attention.
To release me from my daydream, and this fantasy
Saying that the person's attempts to reach out are interrupting the singer's daydreams and fantasies.
I have been upon the 7 seas
Further emphasizing the singer's vast experiences.
I've seen the world and all its treasuries
Stating that the singer has witnessed the wealth of the world, in both material and experiential forms.
Let me introduce you to the members of the band... Oh, I forgot...they're sitting dry - on land.
Mocking the situation by rhetorically offering to introduce his band, only to remind the person that they are not present.
NO! He's...I'm...no I'm not home... Just leave me alone...
Desperately asking the person to stop contacting, even pretending to not be at home to avoid them.
Please, don't call here again...
Asking for a final time to not be contacted.
No, no, I'm not the father of your baby...no.
Denying any responsibility or involvement in a possibly serious situation.
Baby, hey baby, hey baby - don't call
Using terms of endearment to further plead for the person not to call.
Yeah, yeah - don't you call me up...
Continuing to repeat the message of not wanting to be contacted.
Contributed by Gabriella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Treevit SJ
love it !
mike mich 924
GOOD!!!!!!!!
🌎 MUSIC WORLD VISION 🎻
Probably not produced by Frank Farian himself.Some sources do indeed mention Frank Farian as producer. On FARIANMANIA is album Love on time to read in details.
Indeed recorded in Far Studios but as producers are mentioned Helmut Rulofs (The husband of Gilla) and The Touch theirselfes.
Also on the 1989 remix album Early works is not to read "a Frank Farian production" or "produced by Frank Farian".
In fact is to say that Farian does vocals on every record he produced!
(The first/head producer of Eruption is Erhard and Farian was only overlooking the production....no vocals of him to hear).