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.
If You Let Me Stay
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I know the last few pages
Haven't been good for the both of us
And I've caused you a lot of grief
But put those bags down, o.k.?
Before you make a decision like that,
Please just listen to me
'Cos I don't want you to leave.
Just hear me out.
Honey, don't leave me now
With my head on my shoulders wrong
Have I done something wrong for you to leave?
I know I've been careless, girl
And I must apologize
I'll try better next time, baby
If you let me stay
If you let me stay
I'll say what I should've said
If you let me stay
I should have said that I love you
It you let me stay
And I should have said it from my heart
If you let me stay
How can I compensate
For my indiscretions, dear
Tell me it's not too late
That I'd love to hear
If you walk out on me
You will see a grown man cry
I didn't miss my water
Till my well ran dry
But if you let me stay
If you let me stay
I'll say what I should've said
If you let me stay
I should have said that I love you
It you let me stay
And I should have said it from my heart
If you let me stay
Your pretensions aim for gullible fools
And now who needs you anyway?
I'll get mine elsewhere
I taught the school
You will regret it someday
If you let me stay
I'll say what I should've said
If you let me stay
I should have said that I love you
It you let me stay
And I should have said it from my heart
If you let me stay
Terence Trent D'Arby's "If You Let Me Stay" addresses the aftermath of a fight between two lovers. Throughout the song, his character pleads with his girl not to leave. She has been carrying her bags and seems ready to leave after a difficult recent past. He acknowledges that he contributed to the problems they are facing and admits fault, apologizes, and promises to do better. He tells her he loves her and would like to make things right if only she will allow him to stay. He acknowledges that he should have spoken up about his love much earlier, and he promises to do so from his heart if she agrees to let him stay. Ultimately, his character is willing to go the extra mile to make things right and repair the relationship.
The lyrics of "If You Let Me Stay" is an emotional track about two lovers addressing past mistakes and moving forward. It's a plea for the woman to stay, and the man acknowledges his faults in the relationship. But even so, his love for her is unconditional, and he will do anything to lessen her pain. D'Arby's soulful voice adds to the song's sentiment, communicating his sincerity and willingness to make it work.
Line by Line Meaning
Sweetheart listen,
Please pay attention to what I have to say, my love.
I know the last few pages
I understand our recent history or events have caused distress for both of us.
Haven't been good for the both of us
Our relationship has been suffering due to recent events.
And I've caused you a lot of grief
I acknowledge that I have contributed to our struggles and as a result caused you pain.
But put those bags down, o.k.?
Please don't physically leave just yet, let's talk through our problems.
Before you make a decision like that,
I want you to consider all of our options before making a final decision.
Please just listen to me
Give me a chance to express myself and share my perspective.
'Cos I don't want you to leave.
I don't want to lose you and end our relationship.
I definately don't want you to leave
I am sure I want you to stay and we can work through our issues.
Just hear me out.
Please give me an opportunity to explain my thoughts and feelings.
Honey, don't leave me now
My love, please reconsider leaving me.
With my head on my shoulders wrong
With my thoughts and emotions not in the right place.
Have I done something wrong for you to leave?
What have I done to contribute to your desire to leave?
I know I've been careless, girl
I acknowledge that my actions may have not been as thoughtful as they should have been in hindsight.
And I must apologize
I am sorry and will take responsibility for my actions and their impact on you.
I'll try better next time, baby
I will strive to learn from my mistakes and improve for the future.
If you let me stay
If you choose to remain in our relationship and give me another chance.
I'll say what I should've said
I will express what I failed to say previously.
I should have said that I love you
I realize that I haven't expressed my love for you as I should have.
It you let me stay
If you choose to stay with me so we can work through our issues.
And I should have said it from my heart
I will make sure to express my feelings genuinely and wholeheartedly.
How can I compensate
What can I do to make up for my actions?
For my indiscretions, dear
For the mistakes I have made.
Tell me it's not too late
Please confirm there is still hope for us to work things out.
That I'd love to hear
That is something I would be grateful to hear.
If you walk out on me
If you choose to leave me behind.
You will see a grown man cry
I will be devastated and heartbroken.
I didn't miss my water
I was not aware of what I had until it was gone.
Till my well ran dry
Until the impact of losing you was felt.
Your pretensions aim for gullible fools
Your intentions are to deceive easily fooled and naive individuals.
And now who needs you anyway?
Now, who wants to associate with you?
I'll get mine elsewhere
I will find happiness and satisfaction elsewhere.
I taught the school
I am experienced and know what I am looking for in a relationship.
You will regret it someday
You will eventually realize and regret your decisions.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Terence Trent D'Arby
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind