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.
Drivin' Me Crazy
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And metamorphisize into the rain
I see pools of fate
I think they call your eyes
I guess that my reaction`s no surprise
You`re drivin' me crazy
Because you won`t be my baby
To merge with your vibration peacefully
I see laughter as a rainbow from the heart
And then I think of you and fall apart
You`re drivin' me crazy
Because you won't be my baby
I see symphonies in motion when you breathe
How can I make you see what I believe?
You`re drivin' me crazy
Because you won't be my baby
The lyrics to Terence Trent D'Arby's "Drivin' Me Crazy" speak to the singer's increasing feelings of insanity and desperation over someone who won't be with him. The opening lines, "Please excuse me as I go insane / And metamorphosize into the rain," suggest that the singer is losing touch with reality and transforming into something fluid and chaotic. This is reinforced by the image of "pools of fate" that he sees in the person's eyes.
Despite his seeming madness, the singer holds onto the hope that he and the person he desires can "merge with [their] vibration peacefully." He sees their connection as a way to experience joy ("laughter as a rainbow from the heart"), but the mere idea of the person causes him to "fall apart." The repetition of "You're drivin' me crazy / Because you won't be my baby" emphasizes the singer's frustration and hurt.
The final lines of the song express the singer's awe at the other person's very existence: "I see symphonies in motion when you breathe / How can I make you see what I believe?" The singer is moved by the other's every move and sees beauty and artistry in them. Yet despite this, the desire to be with them remains unfulfilled, leaving the singer ever-more-chaotic and crazed.
Line by Line Meaning
Please excuse me as I go insane
I'm losing control of my rational thoughts
And metamorphisize into the rain
I feel like I'm changing into a formless state
I see pools of fate
I sense destiny in my surroundings
I think they call your eyes
Your gaze has a captivating effect on me
I guess that my reaction`s no surprise
It's no wonder I'm so affected by you
You`re drivin' me crazy
You're making me feel intense emotions
Because you won’t be my baby
I desire a romantic relationship with you
There`s space for you in my reality
I'm open and receptive to including you in my life
To merge with your vibration peacefully
I want us to connect on a deeper level in harmony
I see laughter as a rainbow from the heart
I find joy and happiness in sincere expressions of emotion
And then I think of you and fall apart
But thoughts of you leave me feeling broken and helpless
I see symphonies in motion when you breathe
Your every move and action creates a beautiful experience for me
How can I make you see what I believe?
I want you to understand my feelings and thoughts
You`re drivin' me crazy
You have a profound impact on me
Because you won't be my baby
I yearn for a romantic connection with you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DALLAS AUSTIN, TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind