Looking back again: Seal's "Kiss from a Rose"

By Daniel Okereke

I've always been a music sponge. Growing up, I was surrounded by tunes from all over the place—blues, gospel, reggae, pop, juju, highlife, acapella... you name it. It wasn't like I went out of my way to listen to all this stuff; it just kind of seeped into me. That's what happens when you're lucky enough to be raised around music lovers.

As a kid, I had this knack for picking up on what a song was really saying, even when the words didn't spell it out. I could feel the depths that the lyrics barely scratched the surface of, and honestly, it came as naturally to me as breathing.

lately, I've found myself falling back into that old habit. I've been sitting down with some of these classics, really giving them a good listen. I'm talking about diving deep—exploring the lyrics, the way the music's put together, the feelings it stirs up. It's like rediscovering an old friend.

The last time I did this was with Tracy Chapman's "CROSSROADS" album. But today? Today, I want to share with you what went through my head when I gave Seal's "Kiss from a Rose" a proper listen. 

Let me break it down for you.

Now, sure, this song's got some fancy accolades—Grammys, that "Batman Forever" soundtrack spot—but that's not what makes it special. At its heart, "Kiss from a Rose" is a love song, but man, it's anything but your run-of-the-mill romance tune.

Instead of your typical lovey-dovey lines, Seal takes us on this poetic journey through love's ups and downs. The lyrics are like a painting, full of metaphors and vivid images. Take that line, "Now that your rose is in bloom, a light hits the gloom on the gray," it's like he's talking about how love can transform everything, and make the world brighter. But at the same time, there's also this hint that darkness is always lurking nearby.

Away from that, here's another thing—it's Seal's voice that really brings these poetic words to life. The way he sings? It's like he's guiding you through this landscape of extreme emotions. You can hear the raw feeling in every note. It's vulnerable, it's longing, and it hits you right in the gut.

And the music? Oh man, it's something else. It's like Seal took bits and pieces from pop, soul, and alternative rock, threw them in a blender, and came out with this sound that's totally its own thing. You've got these grand orchestral bits, electronic beats, and these haunting harmonies all swirling together. It wraps around you like a warm blanket on a cold night.

As the song builds up, it's like you're being swept away by a tidal wave of emotion. That whole "kiss from a rose" thing becomes more than just a catchy title. It now becomes like a symbol of how love can be sweet and painful at the same time. It reminds you that love can heal you and hurt you all at once.

But for me, the real magic happens in those final moments of the song. As the music fades out, you're left with this longing; this ache for more, and that's the mark of a truly great song. It leaves you wanting more even after it's done.

Ultimately, "Kiss from a Rose" leaves you with this bittersweet feeling. It's like a reminder that love, as beautiful as it is, doesn't last forever. But that's what makes it so powerful, right? It speaks to something we all know deep down—that love is complicated; it's beautiful, it's painful. And in that shared understanding, that's where the real beauty of Seal's masterpiece lies. It's a timeless ode to the messiness of the human heart.

And you know what? That's exactly why I keep coming back to songs like this. They remind me why I fell in love with music in the first place.