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.
I'll Be Alright
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause the attraction's no good to me
Hold back your California Girls
Your prescriptions and your limousines
Hold back your influential friends
For they are really not my type
'Cause just as long as I've got my baby
I'll be alright
Despite all the finer things
She'd have if she were monied
Like a rich girl
I'll be alright
Despite all the candy coloured things
The things that are so untrue
Hold back your perfumes so rare
'Cause she smells like a rose untorn
Hold back your designer underwear
She's a beauty just the way she was born
She may not move like Fred Astaire
But her gingerly walk is out of sight
'Cause just as long as I've got my baby
I'll be alright
I'll be alright
Despite all the finer things
She'd have if she were monied
Like a rich girl
I'll be alright
Despite all the candy coloured things
The things that are so untrue
I'll sing it for the last time y'all
Hold back your critical reviews
'Cause my baby don't need the hype
We're happy just to pay our little dues
So get movin', get on your bike
'Cause just as long as I've got my baby
If I can hold on and keep my baby
If I can just hold on and keep my baby
I'll be alright
The lyrics of "I'll Be Alright" by Terence Trent D'Arby convey a message of contentment and satisfaction with one's life and love. The singer is saying that material possessions and fame mean nothing to him when he is with his love, who is his true source of happiness. He asks the listener to hold back all the things materialistic and superficial, like diamonds, designer clothes, and influential friends, while acknowledging that these things are the trappings of wealth and value. However, no matter how rich they seem, they cannot compare to the love that he feels for his partner. He describes his partner as someone who is perfect just the way she is, without any need for external adornments. The singer also scoffs at the idea of critical reviews, knowing that his baby doesn't need any hype or validation. He concludes by saying that as long as he has his baby, he'll be alright, and they'll be happy paying "their little dues".
The singer's message is refreshing since it celebrates the love that transcends materialism, fame, and superficiality. The lyrics suggest the need for the listeners to value what's truly important in life-our relationships with others, rather than the desire for wealth and fame. The song uses different metaphors to illustrate that money does not equal happiness, and that it's the love and contentment we feel with those closest to us that bring us true joy. The slower melodic pace of the song reinforces the idea of relaxation and contentment, and the backing chorus gives a soulful and spiritual dimension to the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Hold back your diamonds and pearls
Don't offer me your wealth and riches.
'Cause the attraction's no good to me
Material possessions don't impress me.
Hold back your California Girls
Don't offer me your superficial, stereotypical women.
Your prescriptions and your limousines
Don't offer me your luxurious, but unnecessary things.
Hold back your influential friends
Don't offer me your contacts and connections.
For they are really not my type
I'm not interested in associating with them.
'Cause just as long as I've got my baby
As long as I have my partner, I'll be okay.
I'll be alright
I'll be fine.
Despite all the finer things
Regardless of all the luxurious items.
She'd have if she were monied
She would have if she were rich.
Like a rich girl
Like a wealthy woman.
Despite all the candy coloured things
Despite all the flashy items.
The things that are so untrue
The things that are fake and disingenuous.
Hold back your perfumes so rare
Don't offer me your expensive fragrances.
'Cause she smells like a rose untorn
My partner smells natural and beautiful without any enhancements.
Hold back your designer underwear
Don't offer me your expensive undergarments.
She's a beauty just the way she was born
My partner is naturally beautiful.
She may not move like Fred Astaire
My partner may not dance like a professional.
But her gingerly walk is out of sight
But her gentle walk is still amazing to me.
'Cause just as long as I've got my baby
As long as I have my partner, I'll be okay.
I'll sing it for the last time y'all
I'll repeat this one more time.
Hold back your critical reviews
Don't offer me your negative opinions.
'Cause my baby don't need the hype
My partner doesn't need the attention or praise.
We're happy just to pay our little dues
We're content with working hard and paying our way.
So get movin', get on your bike
Leave us alone and go away.
If I can hold on and keep my baby
If I can keep my partner with me.
If I can just hold on and keep my baby
If I can just keep my partner in my life.
I'll be alright
I'll be fine.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind