So why/how is it that Seal's message seems to touch people in such a fashion? Nelly has some sort of effect on his audience, Diana Ross another...

What is it about Seal's music which inspires listener's to be so honest with themselves?

Some people have trouble expressing themselves, but when they hear lyrics sung with such depth it opens them up. It is like a dawning of sorts "Hey this guy really knows how I feel deep inside" Seal has a way of bringing out what people are feeling. It is a beautiful thing...a gift from God Love, Janet

I think it is something in the sound of his voice...it is heard by both the ears and the heart. Seal's voice has a way of reaching deep inside my soul to places I would never look and therefore I see things in myself that I was not looking for. Seal's lyrics say things in a way that with a few words he speaks volumes to the spirit. To hear him being so honest with himself makes us also look at ourselves as we breifly step into the light with him through his music.

That's the best I can explain what happens to me when I listen to Seal.

Love,
Max

Dear Michael,

Words are so limiting, I find it hard to express how I feel about Seal's music, his songs and his voice and his expression and him, as I envision him as a man, a humanbeing.

Words diminish the vastness that he is and the ever-growing wisdom he carries with him. Still, I humbly attempt to share here with you how I feel.

I have the exact same feelings within myself as Janet and Max, when I listen to Seal.

I also feel, that Seal's music touches the lives of ordinary people: our lives, our fears, issues, our confusions, joys and pains, and all of that which make us a human being in search of wholeness and connection with God and ourselves and with each other.

He inspires and motivates us through his songs. He does not contain himself in a box and his spirit feels so free.

His songs and the way he expresses himself through them, gives me a lot of food for thought and contemplation. It has that personal touch that we love to connect with.

When I listen to Seal, I feel that he is sharing with me his life story and this kind of sharing has a healing element/effect to it.

Seal, through his music, is very real and honest in his approch to life and relationships, which I find very refreshing and endearing.

He is very sensitive to feelings. His songs are very empowering.

He is rare and to me, he is a teacher, not of this world, who imparts his wisdom through his words, his songs and music and by simply being.

It is for all these reasons expressed above and more, that I LOVE him so much more than any other contemporary artists of our times.

Much love and hugs to you,

Piyali

One other impression I'd like to add to my thoughts in the previous post, and that is: listening to his songs, I feel that he is not afraid to speak his truth, to explore all possibilities, or to face the challenges that comes his way.
This really sets him apart from many artists of our time...atleast to me.

Much love and hugs,

Piyali

seal reaches people because of his honesty, and his compassion for others.His voice soothes you which i think helps you to hear but also feel the music. i have to say though meeting everyone on the forums has opened my eyes to all the many good people that are here and in the world and its refreshing.I hope that seal continues to connect with people in his own special way. love sue xx

Great question Michael.

I'm not a philosophical thinker, but for me first and foremost it's his VOICE. How to describe that voice?

His creative lyrics. I would say "I love you more than anyone"..... He says, "I have seen no one brighter than you". Who would think to say, "Love can help me know my name" Wow. He writes of tolerance and love and is not afraid to be honest with us.

All of his songs sound different. I can't stand it when I buy a CD and every song basically sounds the same. He grows with each passing album, as we grow with him.

This site and his interaction here have just compounded my admiration for him.

Most of all though, that voice....it's power, control, range, emotion....there is simply none better IMHO.

Yes great question , I agree with the others that , his voice is a big part of it but it's more what that voice is saying it's about uttering words so many long to hear or need to hear. It's the fact that his voice and message have a way of touching you deep inside washing away that need to be heard to be loved to be understood. Well that is how I got hooked way back when and he still has that ability to give hope and inspire happiness in this world.

Thanks for all of your participation.

It's no secret that Seal withholds the words of his songs from fans in hopes of not stumping their ability to feel and personalize the message of his songs.

I recently noticed something which greatly complements that... For the most part, all of his songs are pretty vague. Though he speaks so passionately, if you take a step back outside of your life, he could be singing to just about anyone about quite a number of completely different issues. No?

Look at how "Violet" opens up... Interesting isn't it, especially in an era where everyone is telling us what to think, what not to accept, etcetera. Here's this guy who stands up and speaks about everything else left...all of those emotions that can't be described with words even...

So I submit that while his voice may contribute to why or how he has such an effect on people, his voice may only complement the his words...which he deems as an element which needs to remain open for interpretation...

So what else is there? I think it's the sound. The sound of an accoustic guitar as his voice speaks (begs) the words "Don't you cry tonight"!

just my .02

Your .2 cents count alot with this interpretation, Michael. Love, Janet

Oh dear Michael, I couldn't agree with you more here. Sound is also vibration and in his case, the vibrations emitting from his sounds, which are from this voice and guitar, are very high and deep and positive. It's high frequency.

I like to undestand the lyrics, because I want to sing them too. But I realize what you are saying and you are right. The more I listen, the clearer the essence of what he is expressing becomes.

Thank you so much from my heart for bringing this discussion up and for sharing your thoughts with us.

Reading the thoughts of everyone here was wonderful and insightful. Thank you so much for sharing.

Much love and hugs to you,

Piyali

Great question Michael!

I think it is something to do with the bareness of his music, I mean the way that Seal bares himself thru the words and also the many influences that lend to a unique sound.
It is the honesty that you can feel, even when the words don't make sense "Jade a shade of pain......."
Seal is not trite or contrived.
Also add to the mix his lighthearted personality!!!!!
For one with such depth he is a joker. I suppose the answer is I don't know!!
As you said he is able to connect with you and you with him, that is something which can't be learnt or taught>
The sign of a true artist?

Love,love,love Sketch!

More great points Michael. But again, the voice.... how many have said they would love to watch him sing the phone book? And, a Seal song song by someone else...just wouldn't get it!

Seal is just the consummate artist to me!

i am getting honest with someone who's honest with me.... or if i am opening to someone he opens too... for those who pay attention to seal's honesty, his songs makes them share as well - deep thoughts, clear minds, forbidden corners...

quote:

forbidden corners...

I wondered when you'd find this topic...LOL

I really like the way you think. "Forbidden corners" is so appropriate to what we're discussing.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael:
I wondered when you'd find this topic...LOL

I really like the way you think. "Forbidden corners" is so appropriate to what we're discussing.

i wanted to add forgotten as well... but well... forgotten is kind of equal to forbidden in this situation cos if something is forbidden, the easiest way not to break the "rules" is to forget about this thing.. u know... it might be just a side of what we'r talking about here but sadly values like love, care and self understanding is forbidden for many people. They'r deciding to forget how to love, the r forgetting how to care bout people who need help, they'r deciding to forget how to understand themselves cos it needs time and love and care as well... sooo they r creating this kind of world where love is pain, care is not appreciated properly and there for there's no need in caring for others, self understanding-for them it's just a waste of time, the ground is always safer. Am sorry but lot of people live in hate. I believe Seal breaks the law of "don't love". Brave riders leave a trace tho for people to follow and more! he sais "if u take away my pain u take away my chance to grow" (oh yeah i like those words) I will say it again - to love in a world free from pain is very easy.. it's not a challenge but to love when u'r surrounded by hate and problems - that's what a real fighter is.

quote:

Originally posted by LadyWingZ:
I will say it again - to love in a world free from pain is very easy.. it's not a challenge but to love when u'r surrounded by hate and problems - that's what a real fighter is.

EXACTLY!!! How perfectly stated!!!

quote:

Originally posted by LadyWingZ:...They'r deciding to forget how to love, the r forgetting how to care bout people who need help, they'r deciding to forget how to understand themselves cos it needs time and love and care as well...

I do wonder at times how individuals do forget how to love, care and understand. I have actually met somebody a little while ago who falls under this category. This individual will not see how he hurts people with his attitude. Even if one speaks to him gently about what he does...he still does not see it. I cannot understand such a "behavior" because I just cannot relate. At times I wonder if individuals like him went through something very dramatic and shut down completely afterwards...that would be to me...somwhat...a good explanation why he is the way he is.

quote:

Originally posted by LadyWingZ:...They'r deciding to forget how to love, the r forgetting how to care bout people who need help, they'r deciding to forget how to understand themselves cos it needs time and love and care as well...

====================> This, I wholeheartedly agree with. It's the same with achieving peace. Peace is easier to find on mountain tops, in solitude amidst nature, but to find peace in the middle of chaos and noise, is the real challenge and therein lies the growth.

According to the Real People Tribe of Australia, there is nothing special about birthdays because it takes no effort to grow old. We grow older every year regardless. So they don't celebrate birthdays.
What does take effort, is becoming a better person each year. So they celebrate "Getting Better Day". The person, who feels he/she has become a better, wiser person than the last year, let everyone know about it and they celebrate that growth and wisdom of the person together.

I truly resonate with this deeply. I feel it is this that keeps us evergreen.

Much love and hugs to you,

Piyali

Looking back over the years (trite, I know), I'm fortunate enough to say that I've grown quite a bit since my days on Orchard Lake Road...

quote:

We grow older every year regardless

We grow old everyday!