Just a thought crossing my mind... obviosuly we are all very curious about the meaning of seals precious lyrics and really want to learn exactly what he is saying to the world. But since the lyrics themselves dont spell out any directly obvious meaning, could that not mean that there might not be any one individual meaning? ... that there are in fact many meanings and stories being told all at once? intertwined perhaps in certain songs?
other than that hes lyrics are pure... pure and gentle but making an impact... beautifully designed to make us think and feel... so what do we think and feel? instead of deciphering what we think he means?... what do these words mean to us... i would be very curious to hear others' personal emotions evoked by his lyrics? especially my favorite and most puzzling:

-whatever you need, all the things you long for and you need to be, they can be found-
-whatever you want, all the things you long for and the things you dont, they come around-

light

elaine

Your lyrical question is intriguing but, if I can help you to navigate some thoughts toward an answer or thoughts that accept a reasonable conclusion. I'm not answering the question I am feeding your thoughts.
Your quesion:

quote:

Originally posted by laine:
Just a thought crossing my mind...

-whatever you need, all the things you long for and you need to be, they can be found-
-whatever you want, all the things you long for and the things you dont, they come around-

This song (is about) asks who you are at any given moment too much existing at anyone time. So much that it is incapable of receding to current events or conceding to the largness of the reality at large. Even if the surroundings are real the people are not. Dysphoria and instability, judgement; based upon falsity of the public sideswhow called fame.

The words you chose to question started out almost incompletely therein the problem lies. taking your question and adding to it.

-[always trying to be] whatever you need, all the things you long for (- and)[when] you need to be, they can be found-


In my opinion: self-managment. Not being externally based or contingent upon others. It is a dangerous theory but, in my life a relevant one. I've been me for so long being what others need for me to be has disturbed the idea I have had for myself and permanently scarred my entire creation of self. Always succeeding frails the concept of stepping down from the best ideas of oneself (Jaded Autonomy). It diminished the remainder you gather or take back unto yourself having dispalyed so much ambitious desire. Grandeur is not being small. All the greatness in the world does not compete with the humility of very normal everyday things that don't rate along the same scale. I'm just saying in the song there is not always the idea of applause it is just a very basic encounter of public and private persona and the individual who deals with each. Not just on the level of dealing but also of coping. Settling as well as understanding. In this area of self you can imagine how Seal is so loved and has inspired. That he still changes diapers and takes out the trash. On the stage he is GREAT! off stage being Seal is not a different person he is the same person who is in a different place or on a different stage. A stage he does not perform on. You and I have those stages in all aspects of our lives. At some point we stop performing or get away from that mentality of using the same understanding we apply to certain situations and adapt other forms of logic to relate to take in a better understanding of the world, the people in it and our relation to it.

I view the end as being accusations against the person who is trying to beat the rest, or beat the best and be the best. A set of established accusations to detter the accepting all of the LIFE'style in the shiny city [Tinsel Town] i.e. drugs, partying, immorality and depravity.

G.

wow thank you for your insight, i see what you are saying and its indeed beautiful and meaningful on all fronts. Thanks for clearing my misunderstanding of the lyrics themselves, thats very intersting indeed having noted that.

Your theory is very thought provoking, and i can see exactly what you mean and how it could relate to yourself and Seal himself. the words definatly express an insight of a life of fame, or on a more personal level, purely one's identity.
i truley love this song

thanks again
elaine

very welcome. Glad you appreciate the input.
It is a wonderful song. it almost hurts, just, enough. you know?

G.

Another thing I noticed is in the song 'DOn't Cry' seal talks about "limosuines 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."

more of the idea that well society hurts when your with or around the wrong people staging themselves as people who care. He tells us to not cry or don't be distressed. That we are not alone that we are not alone, that we are dear that we will still be loved. Different song but it encompasses the same feeling of belonging too..... and I love this saying and use it often, "belonging to somethin much greater than themselves (yourself), (ourself)."


when we were young and truth was paramount... We were older then... we lived our life without any doubt... Don'tCry [in tinsel town]

G.

I was sitting and thinking on the format of thought and went back to the seal album 1994 and the entire line-up reflects this method of thought as an outline. read the song titles. read it as a whole proclomation of indepenence.

1. Bring It On
2. Prayer For The Dying
3. Dreaming In Metaphors
4. Don't Cry
5. Fast Changes
6. Kiss From A Rose
7. People Asking Why
8. Newborn Friend
9. If I Could
10. I'm Alive
11. Bring It On (Reprise


The very first song tells you he is fighting. A defender of what is good and just perhaps, that is suitable but let's not put him on a pedestal let's appreciate him for his art and say 'undefiled' and compassionate. He used the words 'give me something for the dream that I am in.' He has jokes! You know I love the way you save me. HAHAHA SEAL should be a new action figure. Pull the string "LOve, love, Love."

the second song prayer for the dying goes on saying, 'help me i'm fading heaven is waiting. it's time to move on.' LOL. in our minds we can walk across water love NOT life... love carries on. There is a light through that window hold on...' he chorus is spectactular and committed to meaning life's experiences have taught but do not leave the hurt that comes from bad decision making. Going back to the drug thing and severe indescretion. Some have become famous and burned their lives out by use of bad acts. A prayer for the dying. 'I just don't know what got into me?'


Dreaming in metaphors he says the words LIFE.. and flaps the words in the mic it is on any other person an error Seal does it constructively giving it texture - a conversation me and LAdy had in another post.. Texture raw..character.


Dreaming in metaphors - what he asks for is more than Adam asks for in a biblical sense. Adam asks for companionship. Here Seal asks for someone peaceful and non-judgemental. WOW. Dreaming in metaphors is like dreaming wher the mind is capable of handling the information or the truth of a thought pressing into consciousness. It would be too much for us to handle directly so the mind pieces it to us in ways we can handle it. 'You know I couldn't understand, you know I just couldn't understand ...' 'the songs says returning back to the cradle rocking it all to long tell me pleas what is going on.' EXCELLENT!!

DOn't cry comes next .. wow.. again very nice song

Fast changes - one of my least favorite songs ( love song relationship bleh!)


I' just talking out loud but the albums made are laced. Sometimes it is not about the song lyrics it is about the small instruments in the background. If I could has this horn that faintly plays it calls to you . Then hits you with a little little twinlkling bell jst as your senses take to the bell it goes away. when you go looking for it you get this really fat bass in your face. The two vocals entwine at what I believe is called a cresendo and there is the bass. wow!

every album has this. I remember seeing seal sitting and interviewing with a roland mc-303 groovbox and thought wow he must program alot f his own stuff. I had one of those at the time and was reassured I had made the righ purchase on the mc-505 ( some short tie later). I had even bought the same Yamaha studio monitor speakers ns 12's I believe.


G.

People in the public eye have to be two people. Years ago the publicity machine spun personas for the celebrities. Some even changed their names to a catchier/or easier to remember name. Sometimes the studios asked them to do this, and sometimes they did it themselves. Some still do.

The other publicity stunt they use to do was to pair stars up. The most popular ones for romance, and then the studio would foot the wedding bill for publicity. The odds of the marriages lasting? You would probably win the bet at vegas if you said a few years.

In all reality though, it is very hard for people to live up to an image. When the lights are down and the stage is empty it is just a job again.

The realness is how you treat others...your family and friends. I really recommend the movie "click" because there is a life story there. Ambition vs. what is important in life, and coping with it all. Can people ever get comfortable with fame? Maybe it is not taking it to heart...letting it drag you down. Does the brass ring get too hot to hold in the palm of your hands? Wear it! Become it's master.

Seal has mentioned that his music is therapy...words do in effect help us to deal, or not to deal, and music soothes and hurts just enough to make us feel...the yin yang...light and dark.

There is an art to treating a stranger as a friend. It comes from the heart...you just say "Hi" and go from there. Does a name really matter? Or how much someone makes? Listen you can have money one day and the next you are scratching your head wondering where it all went. I have a saying and it is true: "Being good to someone only takes a moment out of a lifetime". The smile of appreciation is priceless! It doesn't cost a dime, and you won't lose your soul in doing so.

There will come a day when you see the pink hues of sunset. When the grandchildren are gathered around listening to the stage glories.

There will be a time when the managers won't call back, and when the "associates" don't have time, and then you have to decide/learn who you are all over again.

"whatever you need, all the things you long for and you need to be, they can be found-
-whatever you want, all the things you long for and the things you dont, they come around" -Seal

"and when the lights are down, it's just another job in tinseltown" - Janet

Another aspect is this. "Tinseltown" is basically an industry with media feed. You can be a "Star to fans", but the studio, producers, writers, and managers (ect) will just treat you like another actor, or musician. They will bank you on box office draw, and overall sales. The bottom line is how much are you worth to them...can they make a profit. Yeeouch, going from adoring fans at a concert/movie premier to "Hey man/woman you are a hasbeen"...pass the aspirin! It is not easy being a star, and some handle it better than others.

I am worried about Brittney Spears right now. I hope all her friends are standing by her.

There will be "friends" who won't call anymore, but there are also people who do care and will stick by you...all you have to do is call.

Love, Janet

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ladysingstheblues,

Brittany woke up one day and started calling the shots on her career. Past events were her and Justin broke up, she got implants, her fame was described as 'prematurely wilted flower' she stopped touring, she got married, she got divorced, began to be a mom, she showed bad mothering skills, almost dropped a baby, flashed her genitalia, and shaved her head.

Funny thing is I can list all of this stuff becase that is how much of a Big Star she became. Even the very dumb non-important stuff makes the news. No matter who her friends are or were she is a media magnet anyone in a 5 mile radius is nothing more than collateral damage at this point. Truth be told Madonna did alot of this stuff when she was young. Alot did not get publicized. Today no one can question Madonna her art or her reputation. Ms Spears is in a seperation period. Beyond anything anyone could ask of her or expect of her. Defining is not the idea. She is showing what she is capable of. That being much more frightening than the bubble-gum star's previous life. Hollywood is thus, now the woman can write and sing - with conviction. She is establishing the credentials of believability. When she releases her next album she will be felt as opposed to her protected life previously. Her mature music will then sell.

Christina Aguilera is on the other hand very mature and sings and performs like a true artist. Brittany is shedding her skin - try not to stare.

G.

"people are people"