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.

SRR-636*
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Get out of your head
Get into my bed she said
Get your wiggle on
Strut like Sinatra
Sample someone's song
Sing for your supper

Like a rolling stone

I jam with a woody
Wearing cheap cologne
A sweet suga daddy

Get out of your head
Get into my bed she said
Get your wiggle on
Be sexy like Lenny!
Let your mind move on
It sells for a penny

Like a record groove
Gets scratched by a needle
Telling kids the truth
About The Byrds and The Beatles

Get out of your head
Get into my bed she said
Get your wiggle on
The bees in their bonnets
Are making honey from
Unwritten sonnets

Release your inner scream!
And float with a swagger
Dancing in the street
Like Bowie and Jagger

Get out of your head
Get into my bed she said

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "SRR-636" by Terence Trent D'Arby advocate for the idea of liberation from mental constraints through physical and emotional expression. The song's female protagonist invites her partner to abandon his thoughts and surrender to the spontaneity of their sexual encounter by encouraging him to unleash his inner creativity and sensuality. She urges him to embody the charismatic confidence of legendary performers like Frank Sinatra, Lenny Kravitz, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger, who used their bodies and voices as instruments of self-expression and empowerment. The lyrics suggest that by letting go of inhibitions and embracing one's desires and fantasies, one can tap into profound emotions and experiences that are often repressed by social norms and personal fears.

Moreover, the song refers to the power of music as a means of communication and education that can inspire people to question and transform their reality. D'Arby mentions that "sampling someone's song" can be a way to reclaim and reinterpret cultural heritage and to pay homage to the artistic influences that shape our identity. He also alludes to the impact of music on younger generations by invoking the names of iconic bands like The Byrds or The Beatles, which became symbols of counterculture, freedom, and revolution in the sixties. Ultimately, "SRR-636" proposes an unconventional and liberating approach to love, sex, and creativity that defies conventions and celebrates individuality.

Line by Line Meaning

Get out of your head
Stop overthinking and worrying

Get into my bed she said
Let go of your inhibitions and indulge in pleasure

Get your wiggle on
Let loose and dance with abandon

Strut like Sinatra
Walk confidently and exude charisma

Sample someone's song
Take inspiration from others' creativity

Sing for your supper
Work hard for your rewards

Like a rolling stone
Life can be unpredictable and ever-changing

I jam with a woody
I make music with passion

Wearing cheap cologne
Appearances can be deceiving

A sweet suga daddy
A charming and generous lover

Be sexy like Lenny!
Embrace your sensuality like Lenny Kravitz