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.
Some Birds Blue
Terence Trent D'Arby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But there are things he needs to know
Thursday's child is wondering why
His apple has fallen from your eye
Why are some birds blue?
What is the taste of rain?
Why are some birds blue?
Thursday's child has love to give
From a heart that's positive
Thursday's child was born to sing
Into your ear the sweetest things
Why are some birds blue?
What is the taste of rain?
Why are some birds blue?
And why am I not with you?
Dreamers begin by opening their mind
And throwing out the doubt they find
Happiness is the freedom to be
Within your sensuality
Thursday's child has far to go
And he still loves you so
Thursday's child has only you
And question marks to answer to
Why are some birds blue?
What is the taste of rain?
Why are some birds blue?
And why am I not with you?
The lyrics of Terence Trent D'Arby's song "Some Birds Blue" speak about Thursday's child who has far to go in his life journey, but he seeks knowledge and understanding from the people in his life, particularly those he loves. He questions why some birds are blue and what the taste of rain is, possibly representing a childlike curiosity and an eagerness to learn about the world. However, amidst all his wonder, he is also questioning why someone significant in his life is no longer with him.
The lyrics connect Thursday's child with dreamers who are not afraid to explore their minds and seek a world beyond what is visible to the naked eye. The lyrics encourage people to embrace their sensuality and to find happiness in their freedom to be themselves. Ultimately, despite Thursday's child having much to explore and learn, the lyrics speak of his love for someone and his desire to be with them, despite the unknowns that lie ahead.
Overall, the lyrics of "Some Birds Blue" are open to interpretation and could be understood in many different ways depending on the listener's perspective. It may evoke feelings of nostalgia for a time when life was simpler and less complicated, or it may serve as a reminder to look at the world with fresh eyes and never stop questioning.
Line by Line Meaning
Thursday's child has far to go
The individual born on Thursday still has a long way to travel in life
But there are things he needs to know
However, there are important things that he needs to learn and understand
Thursday's child is wondering why
The person born on Thursday is questioning why things are the way they are
His apple has fallen from your eye
The artist is confused as to why the person he cares for has lost her sense of wonder and magic
Why are some birds blue?
The artist is pondering the mysteries of nature
What is the taste of rain?
The singer is curious about the sensory experience of rain
And why am I not with you?
The singer is longing to be with someone he loves
Thursday's child has love to give
Those born on Thursday have much love to offer
From a heart that's positive
This love comes from a heart full of positivity
Thursday's child was born to sing
People born on Thursday have a natural talent for music
Into your ear the sweetest things
They have a way of speaking that is charming and endearing
Dreamers begin by opening their mind
Those who dream start by expanding their minds
And throwing out the doubt they find
They rid themselves of negativity that prevents them from achieving their vision
Happiness is the freedom to be
True happiness comes from being free to be oneself
Within your sensuality
This freedom is found within one's sensual nature
Thursday's child has far to go
The person born on Thursday still has a long way to travel in life
And he still loves you so
Despite this, he still loves the person he cares for greatly
Thursday's child has only you
This person only has one they truly care for
And question marks to answer to
They also have many uncertainties in life that need to be addressed
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: TERENCE TRENT D'ARBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind