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 Never Turn My Back On You
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A thing my father said to me
And get a haircut, boy
If you want a chance in respectable society
Why did you stop writing?
I knew you had some trouble, son
But you should know by now
That my number doesn't change
All I need from you
And that's all
Regardless of whatever you do
And that is that you understand
That I'll never turn my back on you
How are your wife and child?
I'm sure your little girl has grown
And give them a kiss and a smile
That's what my daddy said
In a letter very long
What kind of man would I be?
If I left you in despair (and then he wrote)
And I miss your mother, son
Cause if she were still alive
She'd tell you too
You should cut your hair
All I need from you
And that's all
Regardless of whatever you do
And that is that you realise
That I'll never turn my back on you
Whatever you do just try to get through to me
Remember the time we got drunk on wine by the sea
And I laughed when you tried to stagger home by yourself
You were stubborn then and you are still stubborn now
All I need from you
And that's all
Regardless of whatever you do
And that is that you understand
That I'll never turn my back on you
The song "I'll Never Turn My Back On You" by Terence Trent D'Arby features a conversation between a father and his son that highlights the strained relationship between them. The father tries to connect with his son by asking about his family and acknowledging their shared memories. However, the father's words also reveal a sense of disappointment and a lack of understanding towards his son's choices in life. The father's statement "This isn't living now" emphasizes the generational gap and his belief that his son's lifestyle is not respectable. He also urges his son to cut his hair and conform to societal norms, revealing his desire for his son to fit in with mainstream society.
The father's tone in the song comes across as condescending and belittling. He questions why his son stopped writing, and although he acknowledges his son's troubles, he gives the impression that he does not fully understand them. His comment "Because my dirty deed is done" implies that he has something to hide and that he is trying to avoid taking responsibility. Additionally, the father's reference to the son's deceased mother and her desire for him to cut his hair adds an emotional layer to the song, highlighting the tension in their relationship.
Overall, the song portrays the complex dynamics of a father and son relationship as they struggle to understand and connect with each other. The father's desire to control his son's life clashes with the son's need for independence and individuality. The song ends with a plea for understanding and an assurance that the father will never turn his back on his son, despite their differences.
Line by Line Meaning
This isn't living now
Life doesn't feel fulfilling at the moment
A thing my father said to me
My father once told me this
And get a haircut, boy
You need to clean up and look presentable to be accepted in society
If you want a chance in respectable society
To be successful in society, you need to fit in and follow societal norms
Why did you stop writing?
I noticed you stopped your creative outlet and wanted to know why
I knew you had some trouble, son
I can sense that you have been struggling with something
But you should know by now
You should be aware
That my number doesn't change
You can always rely on me
Because my dirty deed is done
I have nothing to hide or fear from you
All I need from you
The only thing I require from you is
And that's all
Just that
Regardless of whatever you do
No matter what you choose to do
And that is that you understand
The important thing is that you comprehend
That I'll never turn my back on you
I will always be here for you
How are your wife and child?
How is your family doing?
I'm sure your little girl has grown
I imagine your daughter has gotten older
And give them a kiss and a smile
Please show them affection and happiness from me
That's what my daddy said
This is something my father used to tell me
In a letter very long
He wrote it in a lengthy letter
What kind of man would I be?
I would not be a good person
If I left you in despair (and then he wrote)
If I abandoned you when you needed me most
And I miss your mother, son
I still feel the loss of your mother
Cause if she were still alive
If she had not passed away
She'd tell you too
She would also advise you
You should cut your hair
To look presentable and be accepted in society, you should groom yourself
Whatever you do just try to get through to me
No matter what happens, please keep in touch with me
Remember the time we got drunk on wine by the sea
Do you recall the memory of us drinking wine by the ocean?
And I laughed when you tried to stagger home by yourself
I found humor in your attempt to walk home while intoxicated
You were stubborn then and you are still stubborn now
You have always been willful and resistant to change
That's all I need from you
I only require your openness and honesty
And that is that you understand
It's essential that you comprehend this
That I'll never turn my back on you
I will always support and be there for you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind