Terence Trent D'Arby (born Terence Trent Howard, March 15, 1962 and now leg… Read Full Bio ↴Terence Trent D'Arby (born Terence Trent Howard, March 15, 1962 and now legally known as Sananda Maitreya) is an American singer-songwriter inspired by mixing funk, pop, rock, and soul who came to fame with his album 'Introducing the Hardline According to Terence Trent D'Arby', released in July 1987. That album included the hit singles "Dance Little Sister", "Sign Your Name", and "Wishing Well". It has sold over 14 million copies.

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.

Penelope Please
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm seventeen and under the illusion
A girl like you could end my confusion
Penelope please
Penelope please

My jeans are not
Big enough to hold me
So come on girl

Don't you try and scold me
Penelope please
Penelope please

You will still be home in time
To watch the 'Pops' featuring Chrissie Hynde

I know you see me as an aggravation
I dream of you in full moon frustration
Penelope please
Penelope please

Don't make me wait
But answer with affection
So come on girl
Look in my direction
Penelope please
Penelope please

You will still be home in time
To watch the 'Pops' featuring Chrissie Hynde

I know you view me as a major horror
But come on babe
Don't say sayonara
Penelope please
Penelope please

My head is hard
So girl I will continue
To plead and beg
Baby till I win you
Penelope please
Penelope please

You will still be home in time
To watch the 'Pops' featuring Chrissie Hynde

At twenty-one I came to this conclusion
I married her
But still I'm in confusion

Penelope please
("Come on babe")
("No!")
Penelope please
("No!")
Penelope please
("Look you're going to wake up the baby!!!")

Penelope please
("No!!!") Waaaaaaah!!!!

Overall Meaning

The song "Penelope Please" by Terence Trent D'Arby is a tale of unrequited love. The singer, who is only 17 years old, is deeply infatuated with a girl named Penelope. He believes she holds the key to his confusion and is begging her to notice him. However, Penelope doesn't share his feelings and views him as a nuisance. Despite the setbacks, the singer refuses to give up hope and continues to pursue Penelope relentlessly.

The lyrics in the song convey the overwhelming feeling of teenage desire and the desperation to be noticed by someone you love. The singer is willing to do whatever it takes to win Penelope's affections, even if it means annoying her. The repeated chorus of "Penelope please" reflects the singer's plea for her attention and affection. The final line in the song, where the singer reveals that he marries someone else but is still confused, suggests that the memory of Penelope continues to haunt him.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm seventeen and under the illusion
At seventeen, I feel like I know it all and have the skill to woo any girl.

A girl like you could end my confusion
A girl like Penelope could make me see more clearly and ease the stress in my life.

My jeans are not
My clothing is too small, and I need something larger.

Big enough to hold me
My clothing is not adequate to meet my needs in life.

So come on girl
Please, Penelope, help me out,

Don't you try and scold me
Don't be upset with me for seeking your affection

You will still be home in time
I promise not to keep you out late

To watch the 'Pops' featuring Chrissie Hynde
We'll be back in time to watch the television show Pop with you, my love.

I know you see me as an aggravation
I understand that my pursuit may be annoying.

I dream of you in full moon frustration
I think about you often, Penelope, especially when the moon is full and bright.

Don't make me wait
Please don't delay your answer