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.
O Divina
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My karma 's coming round
And I'm not worried
Fundamentally blue
Except when I'm with you
My soul 's excited
O she comes in flavors
And she comes in graceful
Animation like fantasy
Right there,right there,right there
Right there,right there right
O Divina perhaps you' ve seen her
Or been her or are her
O she comes in waves of
Satisfaction that sing to me
And she understands that
Forgiveness is charity
Right there,right there,right there
Right there,right there right
O Divina perhaps you' ve seen her
Or been her or are her
O she comes in lovely affirmations
Like " yes you can ! "
And her love is unconditional
And says " you're the man "
Right there,right there,right there
Right there right there,right
O Divina perhaps you've seen her
Or been her or are her
The lyrics to Terence Trent D'Arby's song O Divina describe the singer's experience with a woman referred to as "O Divina." The song begins with the singer acknowledging that he is feeling "fundamentally blue" despite the fact that his karma is coming around and there is no need to worry. It becomes evident that the only time he feels differently is when he is with "O Divina." She excites his soul and comes in various flavors, such as "the kiss of a tangerine," and she moves gracefully like a fantasy. The chorus repeats "right there" several times, suggesting that the singer is fully present and immersed in the moment with her.
The second verse introduces the idea that others may have experienced "O Divina" or may even be her. Regardless, she comes in "waves of satisfaction" that sing to him and understands that forgiveness is charity. The third verse continues to describe her affirmations, such as "yes you can!" and her unconditional love that proclaims, "you're the man." The song ends with the repetition of the question, "O Divina perhaps you've seen her, or been her, or are her," which suggests that she represents something universal and transcendent.
Line by Line Meaning
Fundamentally sound
I am rooted in a strong foundation.
My karma's coming round
I believe in the concept of karma and that my actions will have consequences.
And I'm not worried
I am confident in my path and the choices I have made.
Fundamentally blue
I am sometimes melancholy or restless.
Except when I'm with you
But when I am with my beloved, my spirits are lifted.
My soul's excited
I feel joyful and alive.
O she comes in flavors
My beloved is complex and multi-faceted.
Like the kiss of a tangerine
Her essence is sweet and refreshing like the taste of a citrus fruit.
And she comes in graceful animation like fantasy
She is elegant and enchanting, like a character in a magical story.
Right there, right there, right there
I am in the present moment and savoring my experiences.
O Divina perhaps you've seen her or been her or are her
Addressing an entity named 'Divina', I am expressing that my beloved could be you, or someone you know or even a part of you.
O she comes in waves of satisfaction that sing to me
My beloved brings me joy and fulfillment.
And she understands that forgiveness is charity
My beloved is compassionate and forgiving.
O she comes in lovely affirmations like 'yes you can!'
My beloved is supportive and encourages me to reach my potential.
And her love is unconditional and says 'you're the man'
My beloved loves me regardless of my flaws and acknowledges my worth.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Troy Schuh
Nice job restoring the intro and audio, in general. The widescreen looks great, too. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Looking forward to more videos.
Terence Trent D'Arby Revival
Troy Schuh Thanks, hopefully will have a lot more stuff coming. I'm also trying to get hold of a genuine high-definition copy of this music video, stay tuned!
Shawn Chappelle
This song NEVER gets old!! Timeless slice of happiness 💕
Marcos C
Here I am in the midst of 2021 wondering if any artist can touch the soul the way this man and this song does. What a truly God given talent.
Tris Mac Carran
Well if you find one, let us know. Till then I'll just keep watching these older clips..
Raine Folorunsho
Such a beautiful song. Purely magical. Thank you Sananda Maitreya.
Mihaela Toto
Best song ever. It gives stage of joy and calm, happiness within
Frederico M
ADORO!
Christine Carroll
The voice of a hundred angels. You melt my heart
The Sweetest Thing
Una voce incredibile davvero. Da sempre!!!