Confession time — continuing my trend of childhood crushes on dudes who appear way more effeminate now than I remembered them in my rose-colored teenage haze (hello, El De Barge and Al B Sure), I gotta tell you all about my all-consuming adoration of Terence Trent D’Arby. I thought he was so hot when he hit the scene in 1987. Now that I look back at the video for Sign Your Name, Terence looks more so much more pretty than gangsta in his tough leather jacket scenes.
Oh, how I love Eighties music videos! And I still love that song.
Terence Trent D’arby’s music has held up well. It’s been twenty years (OMG), but Wishing Well still grooves. His voice has often been compared to Sam Cooke’s, and his cover of Wonderful World is sweet and powerful. His reinterpretation of John Lennon’s You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away might initially bother the Beatles purists I know, but I think it grows on you the more you hear it. I’m very loathe to like a Beatles cover (the originals are so perfect and timeless), but I gotta say, he sang the bejesus out of that song.
I lost track of D’arby after 1993’s duet with Des’ree, Delicate, which I really like still. So what’s Terence Trent D’arby up to, you wonder? He changed his name to Sananda Maitreya and now lives in Milan, Italy. He still records music — his latest album is available through his website. And he’s still kinda hot if you ask me!
Do you remember the first song, “If you let me stay”? I heard that song and was instantly in love with those wild braids swinging each way as he danced and pranced through that video.
Glad to see he’s still working.
I was in Holland visiting my relatives that summer and his video for Wishing Well was everywhere. A few months later he broke in the states. I loved that CD! I was just playing tracks on my iPod. I also thought he was quite handsome.
Thank God for YouTube. I try not to spend hours on there looking at 80s videos.
Wasn’t he out around the same time as Milli Vanilli? I’m not sure what was into me at the time, but I actually went to see them in concert.
I don’t remember much because I was much younger and it was a long time ago. But, I remember that they were dressed up as ninjas during the opener, and they fought each other with swords.
It was special. Very very special. 🙂
I have several of his songs on my MP3 player but I guess since I was so young when he was out, I didn’t have an accurate remembrance of what he looked like. Yes he is/was fine but… I have a problem with a guy whose hair has more movement than mine. 🙂
Oh, the 80s gave us so, so many “high yella” pretty boys! (It was me and Al B! Sure–all day, baby!) Don’t know if you noticed, bella, but dude’s competition in the video is mighty fine himself!
And yes! This song is still the jam.
Memories…what was it about the 80’s that produced so many original, talented people.. so glad to see Terrance still sounds fantastic and he looks like he’s aged about 2 weeks. Thanks for posting this!
Bella, the song is a very sensual song and brings back alot of memories but I can’t seem to get into his look today….The blending of Prince (who I LOVE) and Milli V. is not working for me now….but the song…..definitely a baby making song!
“This isn’t living now…a thing my father said to me…”
Afrobella, I wore that tape (no cd’s back then) out in college. Seriously. I played it every day, twice a day. I love TTD and am happy to know he is still making music.
I also loved Terrence Trent D’Arby. I think his downfall came when he slowley started making the rounds promoting that album. Let’s just say he had a higher than average amount of arrogance about his talents. Bella, you are so correct, though. Those tunes have definitely held up. I still groove to ’em. This was such a pleasant blast from the past. Thanks!
X
Ohhh just the mention of Al B Sure sends me into a daydream. That deep voice of his drove me crazy…I just saw a pic of his son in the latest issue of Essence. His son looks just like old Al B.
Aw, thank you, Bella. That was a nice reminder. I love me some TTD. I remember watching “Knocked Up” this summer (funny!), and cracking the hell up that Seth Rogan used the smooth sounds of Terrence, of all people, to romance his pregnant girlfriend. So random! But good! Just as unexpected as seeing this vid. TY again!
He changed his name! Here’s his new site:
http://www.sanandamaitreya.com/
Sorry Bella, I didn’t finish reading your post!
I loved TTD a lot too, in my younger days. Why did he change his name? He got rid of his brand. If I knew that Terrence Trent D’Arby had a new CD out, I’d hop on it in a minute. This black Italian guy Sanaada does nothing for me…
Wow! Thanks for posting this! I LOVED that song, still do. I loved all those Eighties “story” videos, you don’t see that anymore. I still play that album a lot. I had no idea he had changed his name, I was wondering what became of him. (I like my boys pretty too, and he is just delicious.) The Beatles video is amazing! What a talent, there is no one else today who comes close.