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Rating: Seal's music is very unique: a pop that blends contemporary sounds, often flirting with the dancefloor, with almost ancestral melodies and lyricism, giving the whole an atmosphere that is mysterious and captivating.
This album is from 1994, following the self-titled album from 1991 (there will be another self-titled one in 2003, "Seal IV", the guy has a knack for titles, editor's note). Although it's almost a good fifteen years old, the album, for being pop music, still feels fresh and current. Only occasionally does it clearly echo the sound of the "nineties," and never in an annoying way. Produced by the genius of Trevor Horn, the Midas of English pop, and his touch is evident.
The first track, "Bring it on", opens with Seal's hoarse and reverberated voice followed by a pumped-up funk style attack. Particularly beautiful is the bass line intertwined with the underlying guitar riff. It is followed by the first single, the beautiful "Prayer for the Dying", a song built on a series of sweet chords whose intro was embarrassingly reused a few years later in "Due Destini" by the otherwise talented Tiromancino. Also worth noting is "Don't Cry", a soft ballad where Seal's distinctive voice splits into elaborate harmonies.
"Fast Changes" suddenly brings us to an almost new age atmosphere, with guitar arpeggios drawing harmonic lines as beautiful as they are complex. The skirmish between acoustic bass and transverse flute enriching the whole makes this song the best track on the album.
"Kiss from a Rose" was the second single, a multimillion-seller also thanks to its use in the "Batman" soundtrack of that era. In this song, you particularly feel that mixture of ancient and modern I mentioned above, being a ballad with an almost Celtic flavor. In the latter part of the album, the irresistible dance of "Newborn Friend" stands out, which, if I'm not mistaken, was the third release. The album ends leaving you with the impression of a truly well-done work, with four or five very beautiful songs and the remaining ones still high quality, without any weak moments.
One thing that has always struck me about this album is the inner booklet; quite sparse, featuring a close-up of Seal's scarred face and little else on a white background. Instead of lyrics, there are a few lines where our friend explains why they're absent. In those lines, you can sense the intention, generally foreign to the world the singer comes from, to let the listener give their own meaning to what's expressed by the song's words, even risking that they are completely misunderstood. Because in the end, what is more beautiful than letting the music take us to territories that are solely ours, away from any external influence? The only real concrete sense anchor at the end is the written lyrics of a song, and Seal's attempt, whether it succeeds or not, is precisely to remove that anchor from the song. While in pop matters lyrics can be quite disposable, they can still play a subtly manipulative role.
It's ironic that in the end, lyrics that are never stupid and indeed full of meaning like Seal's "pay" for this particular choice.
Rating: 4.5/5
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Bring It On (03:58)
Bring it on
...it on it on it on it on it on it on...
...Bring it on bring it on bring it on bring it on...
First I didn't have the will to carry on
...carry on...
Illusions in my mind
...illusions in my mind...
Like that picture when you feel you can't go on
...go on...
Like you've been left behind
...behind...
Life goes on, now
Take me to that funky place where you and I were born.
Carry on, now
...now...
Psychedlic tendencies of love will bring it on
...bring it on...
Bring it on
Bring it on, Bring it on
Don't wait until tomorrow
Bring it on
Bring it on
Bring it on
Give me something for the dream that I am in
...in...
You know I love the way you save me
A broken pawn,
I depended on.
Was only life, I was feeling
It goes on, now
Take me to that funky place where you and I were born
Carry on, now
Ain't no reason you should feel for shorn,
Unconditioned love will bring it on.....
Bring it on
Bring it on
Don't wait until tomorrow
Wait until tomorrow
Bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
...Bring it on.............
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
...Bring it on.............
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Unconditioned love will bring it on
La da..da de da...
So what lies under.
Is your Kingdom Come?
Chase it way,
Down low.
It's only life.
Don't wait until tomorrow.
Don't wait until tomorrow.
Don't wait until tomorrow.
Don't wait until,
Wait until tomorrow.
Bring it on, bring it on bring it on
Bring it on
02 Prayer for the Dying (05:29)
Da da, da da
Ah, ho-oo-oh-oo
Fearless people,
Careless needle.
Harsh words spoken,
And lives are broken.
Forceful ageing,
Help me I'm fading.
Heaven's waiting,
It's time to move on.
Crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
I may not know what you're going through.
But time is the space,
Between me and you.
Life carries on... it goes on.
Just say die,
And that would be pessimistic.
In your mind,
We can walk across the water.
Please don't cry,
It's just a prayer for the dying.
I just don't know what's got into me.
Been crossin' that bridge,
With lessons I've learned.
...learned...............
Playing with fire,
And not getting burned.
...burned burned...
I may not know what you're going through,
But time is the space,
Between me and you.
There is a light through that window
...light through that window...
Hold on say yes, while people say no
Life carries on
...on on on...
Ohh!
It goes on....oh-ee-oh, whoa-ee-oh ho oh...
I'm crossing that bridge,
With lessons I've learned....
I'm playing with fire,
And not getting burned....
I may not know what you're going through.
But time is the space,
Between me and you.
There is a light through that window.
Hold on say yes, while people say no
'Cause life carries on....oh-ee-oh, whoa-ee-oh ho on...
It goes on....oh-ee-on,
It goes on.
Whoah.
Whoah.
Life carries on.
When nothing else matters.
When nothing else matters.
I just don't know what's got into me.
It's just a prayer for the dying.
...dying dying dying dying...
For the dying.
03 Dreaming in Metaphors (05:52)
(Seal/Isidore) 1994
Love serenade,
Soothe me with the morning sun.
Help me find someone,
Peaceful and non-judgemental.
Holdin' me back,
And make me feel whole with life.
And stay the same.
Life.
Without the pain.
Why must we dream in metaphors?
Try to hold on to something we couldn't understand. (L)
Couldn't understand. (L)
And why must we argue loudly?
When peace is our one salvation.
I couldn't understand (L)
Couldn't understand (L)
Yea...
Ohh, ohh ohh, ohh ohh, ohh ohh (L)
Ohh, ohh ohh, ohh ohh, ohh ohh (L)
Someone lost their faith in, seeking God so they.
...Someone lost their faith in seeking God so they...
Turn to the needle, back to the cradle. They were...
...Turn to the needle... ...back to the cradle...
Rocking it all too long.
Tell me what's going on with your life.
Has it stayed the same?
Well why do we dream in metaphors?
Try to hold on to something we couldn't understand. (L)
Couldn't understand. (L)
Tell me why must we argue loudly? When peace is our one,
...why must we argue...
Salvation I couldn't understand (L)
Couldn't understand (L)
Yeah...
Ohh, ohh ohh ohh ohh
Ohh, ohh ohh ohh ohh ohhh...
Life will all...........stay the same...
Life stay the same
Life will ease your pain
...life without no......pain or shame...
Why must we dream in metaphors?
We're trying to hold on to something we couldn't understand. (L)
Couldn't understand (L)
Tell me why must we argue loudly when peace is our one
...why must we argue...
Salvation I couldn't understand (L)
Couldn't understand (L)
Now why must we duh-ream in metaphors
...why do we dream in metaphors...
...why do we dream...
Something that's lost
...couldn't understand stand stand, I couldn't understand.
And you know I couldn't understand I just couldn't understand.
...Couldn't understand stand stand, I couldn't understand.
...ahh bah bah bah bah...
And you know I couldn't understand, I just couldn't understand.
...aah, bah bah bah bah...
Couldn't understand stand stand,
I couldn't understand
And you know I couldn't understand,
I just couldn't understand
Couldn't understand stand stand,
I couldn't understand
And you know I couldn't understand,
I just couldn't understand
Couldn't understand stand stand,
I couldn't understand
And you know I couldn't understand,
I just...
04 Don't Cry (06:17)
Don't be so hard on yourself.
Those tears are for someone else.
I hear your voice on the phone.
I hear you feel so alone.
My baby.
Ohh my baby.
Please my baby,
My baby,
When we were young,
And truth was paramount.
We were older then,
And we lived a life without any doubt.
Those memories,
They seem so long ago.
What's become of them? When you feel like me I want you to know.
...They've all gone for sure...
Don't cry.
Not alone.
Don't cry,
Tonight, my baby.
Don't cry,
You'll always be loved.
Don't cry,
Tonight.
My baby.
Today I dreamed,
Of friends I had before.
And I wonder why.
The ones who care don't call anymore.
My feelings hurt.
But you know I overcome the pain.
And I'm stronger now,
There can't be a fire unless there's a flame.
Don't cry.
Your not alone.
Don't cry,
Tonight, my baby.
Don't cry.
You'll always be loved.
Don't cry oh...
Limousines and sycophants,
Don't leave me now,
'Cause I'm afraid what you've done to me.
Is now the wolf.
In my bed,
In my head.
In my head.
In my head.
The challenges, we took were hard enough.
They get harder now.
Even when we think that we've had enough.
Don't feel alone,
'Cause it's I who understands,
I'm your sedative,
Take a piece of me whenever you can.
Don't cry.... you're not alone.
...don't be so hard on yourself...
Don't cry.... tonight my baby
...These tears are for.....someone else...
Don't cry.... you'll always be loved
...I hear your voice on the phone...
Don't cry.... tonight sweet baby
...I hear you fear... so alone.
Don't cry... don't cry... don't cry... don't you cry...
..my baby
Cry... Don't cry...
'Cause you still be loved
Don't cry
Don't cry tonight
Ohh..
My baby my baby my baby my baby my baby my baby my baby
...ba da ba ba da da...
my baby my baby my my baby my baby my baby my baby mymy baby my baby my baby
..ohh.. ...yeyeyeyeiah... ...yeyeyeyeiah...
My baby....
You'll still be loved by me
06 Kiss From a Rose (04:47)
There used to be a graying tower alone on the sea.
You became the light on the dark side of me.
Love remained a drug that's the high and not the pill.
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and,
The light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, The more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah.
And now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain,
My power, my pleasure, my pain.
Baby, to me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby?
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, The more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah.
And now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
I've been kissed by a rose on the gray,
I've been kissed by a rose (on the gray)
...And if I should fall, it will all go away
I've been kissed by a rose (on the gray)
There is so much a man can tell you,
So much he can say.
You remain
My power, my pleasure, my pain.
To me you're like a growing addiction that I can't deny
Won't you tell me is that healthy, baby?
But did you know,
That when it snows,
My eyes become large and,
the light that you shine can be seen.
Baby,
I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, The more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah.
Now that your rose is in bloom,
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Yes I compare you to a kiss from a rose on the gray.
Ooh, the more I get of you
The stranger it feels, yeah.
Now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
Now that your rose is in bloom.
A light hits the gloom on the gray.
07 People Asking Why (04:45)
Why, am I changing?
Why do people, get complacent with the things they're told?
World disasters they come and go.
I'd give anything just to be back home.
'Cause there are people, asking why.
There are people, who believe in...
In life, gets confusing but I don't know why.
But I've made my plans already.
Had this trouble with it all my life.
Well world disasters, they come and go.
I'd give all my strength to be back home
'Cause there are people, asking why
There are people asking...
How do I get to where I've come from, now?
How will I paint this garden I've destroyed, green?
Can I get back to where I've come from?
'Cause there are people, who believe in life.
Well how do we get to where we come from?
Peace and love ain't enough these days.
Evolution says "Time is running out,
We've been here too long..."
'Cause there are people, asking.. why
...ayea............ ..no-hoo.........
Ohh, there are people, asking...
..ayea................
How do I get to where I've come from, now?
How will I paint this garden I've destroyed, green?
Can I get back to where I come from?
'Cause there are people, who believe it.
How do I get to where I've come from, now?
How do I paint this garden I've destroyed, green?
Can I get back to where I've come from?
Cuz there are people, who believe it
How do I get to where I've come from, now?
How will I paint this garden I've destroyed, green?
Can I get back to where I've come from?
'Cause there are people, who believe it
...How can I get back to where I've come from, now...?
How do I get back to where I've come from, now?
How will I paint this garden I've....
08 Newborn Friend (04:04)
I wash my faith in dirty water,
'Cause it gives my mind a little order.
And I play that game, just like I should do.
But my whole world, slips away.
I live my life, I live it slowly.
And I take my time, I'm in no hurry, yea... I'm livin'...
And when I go then I would surely.
I would dance with a total stranger,
And hold them in my arms.
Hell, there could be no danger if I open up up,
'Cause when the cryin' starts so,
If I chant for happiness,
Maybe that will make me feel better?
I can't change my ideals, I can't lose my desire
Ohh, if I chant for happiness maybe that will make me feel better?
I'd be your newborn friend for the world.
Well I wash my face in dirty water.
For life I have no order.
'Cause I,
Know that feeling when you've tried to make your way out,
Nothing mends.
So you search for the breed of the problems there lying,
Deep down in the soul.
And if, they never end,
There's a whole bunch of reasons, tryin' to get out
But they can't make it out of the door.
Ohh, I know the reason,
I'm not enough.
There's nothing more... But,
If I chant for happiness, maybe that will make me feel better.
I can't changes my ideals, I can't put out the fire.
Ohh, if I chant for happiness, maybe that will bring us together,
For the better...
I can't changes my ideals, I can't lose my desire.
I'm just a newborn friend for the world...
Just a newborn friend for the world...
I'll be your newborn friend and I'll...
Sing loud... Sing loud... Sing loud... my friend
sing loud......sing loud......sing loud.
Gonna sing louder sing loud sing loud my friend
...sing louder... ...sing loud... ...sing loud...
To my friend my friend and I...
I'll sing love, sing loud, sing a little louder of my friend.
Ohh.. my friend
Ohh, my darlin friend my friend my friend
Ah, na-da da, da...
10 I'm Alive (04:01)
Yeah, yeah yeah yeah...
Fell on my feet this morning.
Two angels heard me cry...
This is your fate hereafter.
The future is my friend.
It hurts, but it treats me well.
Take hold and be it's master.
Gold as the sun is,
As you turn me on.
And bath in it's sun dry,
I'm alive, older and strong.
Let me be someone.
I'll take hold and be it's master.
Gold as the sun is,
As you turn me on.
With echoes of laughter.
As I cry out loud...
Got my feet on the ground.
Your hand's found me.
Saw my blood on the ground
And it changed my life
So many parts that I have to play.
A tangle with life set me up that way,
Now I know,
These are the words that I have to say.
Won't you let me...
Won't you hear me cry...
Got my feet on the ground,
...feet on the ground.
Your hand's falling'...
Saw my blood on the ground,
And it changed my life...
Your face in the crowd,
You're my future.
Saw my blood on the ground.
And it changed my life...
Got my feet on the ground.
...feet on the ground.
Your hand's found me...
Blood on the cross,
And it changed my life...
Yeah, yeah yeah yeah
Fell on my feet this mornin'...
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Other reviews
By Abraham
Seal has a unique, incredible voice, but for the writer, it has never been a defining factor: he owns it, and probably perceives it the same way.
"Kiss From A Rose" is liked because Seal makes himself endearing... what makes the track unique is the delicacy with which the artist literally takes the listener by the hand.
