The Story Behind Seal's Biggest Hit Song

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Watch the full video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmicn2qvh6etoMk

[@Pufedu]

Where is the Sean Hurley interview?

[@hugothepoet]

Does he explain the meaning of the song lyrics in this edit or the full video?

[@kdckicksbutt3461]

I want to hear kiss from the rose demo 🙂

[@Skjeggspir]

@@hugothepoetnot really.

[@Skjeggspir]

Can you make this version of Kiss from a Rose available on Spotify, or maybe a youtube video with just the song alone?

[@ryckjunior9911]

Everytime I hear this classic, it reminds me of how awesome it was to be a kid in the 90s. Gives me chills.

[@jflack6]

Same! 90s was the greatest decade

[@Kira-zy2ro]

90's were the golden age of humanity. I still hold some small hope we may surpass it someday.

[@siyagee1000]

Same here Bro and I'm in South Africa, that's how far the impact of the song went and promoting the movie.

[@ryckjunior9911]

@siyagee1000 Well, I've been on the outskirts of Capetown my whole life, so I feel you

[@writehandproductions1914]

Same

[@elusivelectron]

If you're riding in a car and this song comes on, it's customary to belt out that first "baby."

[@TheJomarie88]

facts

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

No.

[@SunniMerlot]

Mandatory. Especially if you’re my age range . I’m 39

[@DblBarrelShogun]

Any time Seal comes on I have to turn it up

[@LanceGreen-j8c]

Yeeeaahhhhh!!!! So true!!!

[@JediCrackSmoke]

Fuck.... Seal still has it. Amazing voice.

[@RichWinns2]

😂😂😂😂

[@NoviSno]

His voice is as true as his words~

[@adamschronk3620]

I miss the days when, as a rock and metal guy, I could hear a pop song, and say that is Really Good! That song is a masterpiece!

[@MooMan1374]

What would you think about a collaboration with Sleep Token?

[@jeffreydonovanmusic]

Being into metal as a teen I always wanted to hear a metal rendition of it. Still do. Being in 6/8 it’s kind of prime for it honestly. Someone like Opeth.

[@MetaITurtle]

Your a Metal and sometimes pop head lol

[@jarlnieminen4307]

That's because their used to be variety in pop. So a way larger pool of artists so you had to be good.

[@HerveBoisde]

Check out Willow’s last album. She’s super talented

[@selliantuttimusi6735]

Kiss from a Rose is one of the best songs ever written. A truly unique timeless song.

[@arjenvk1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4OxeHSMbKt9ZtE does it sound like kiss from a rose?

[@nobodyspecial1852]

​@@arjenvk1sorta

[@auneakeffect]

look into my eyes was better

[@westerling8436]

the lyrics are really bad though

[@officialrogueent6836]

Facts!!!

[@MetaITurtle]

This song fit *Batman Forever* so well that you can't really explain it in words. It's more of a feeling.

[@edg8-eddylikescake312]

One of the best batmans he was like a perfect fit, serious but can be fun when it needs to be

[@RodmanTackleAdvisor]

It saved the film. This song was the star.

[@guitarmanscout]

​@CalciumHatwrong movie. You're thinking of Batman and Robin

[@jjdbzfan18]

It’s powerful and Batman is a very powerful force

[@RichSimpson81]

This is exactly what i was thinking, it fit SO PERFECTLY with this movie! I can see Batman and Robin running listening to it…i think poison ivy being a part splices some storyline together well with the music too

[@fool-on-the-hill]

I get a medieval vibe every time I hear this song. So beautiful.

[@katherandefy]

Yes. Like Sting often wrote.

[@felicialex80]

I think it takes inspiration by "stairway to heaven", that takes inspiration by medieval songs

[@auxaviaircarter4126]

It actually is a medieval style

[@daniellamcgee4251]

Troubadours, with their courtly love songs, in the late Middle Ages.

[@fool-on-the-hill]

@@daniellamcgee4251 wow, thanks for the reference! I would not have known that there was a specific name to this music if you hadn’t shared. 😎🫡🎶

[@Jasonkenny-]

His voice is sublime.

[@geroffmilan3328]

As a vocalist I'm just relieved to hear him say it wasn't all first takes 😂 The quality of his voice is awesome to me. Listen to the vocal layers on Future Love Paradise, and how he expresses the different elements. It's dynamite. *He's* dynamite.

[@shizukagozen777]

I was at Seal's concert one month ago for the very first time in my life. I was so shocked because his voice is so much more beautiful and clear irl that I started crying because of how moved I was. I was also overwhelmed because the subway was trying to do everything it could to stop me from going to the concert and I had to run for so long in heels and still arrived 45 minutes late but I arrived right when Seal was going on stage. I was so relieved, you can't imagine. 😅

[@TheSubwaysurfer]

The word,” sublime” was invented specifically to describe this song!

[@stratplayer96]

30 years later and he still sounds amazing. Nice job, Mason!

[@TheTyrial86]

This song was the only thing that came out of batman forever that people remember. I still listen to this song.

[@KasumiRINA]

Jim Carrey as Riddler sometimes gets referenced but yeah, it was the least memorable Batman film until Dark Knight Returns.

[@amitprasad7113]

There's also " kiss me kill me..."

[@gypsywoman9140]

​@amitprasad7113 I was just gonna comment the same! Also the Weird Al parody about going to the dentist "Numb me, drill me, floss me, bill me" 😂

[@gypsywoman9140]

​@@KasumiRINAHeath Ledger is the only reason The Dark Knight is memorable. That movie would be completely forgettable if it wasn't for his Joker. What else do we remember from that movie? The Batman voice that sounds like Homer Simpson as The Horse Whisperer "When the bell rings, I want you to run really, really fast!"

[@chasing8405]

The whole soundtrack was killer. PJ Harvey, Nick Cave, Massive Attack, Flaming Lips, Mazzy Star, Michael Hutchence...

[@SavageMugen]

This song in the background while hearing " BATMAN FOREVER NOW IN THEATERS ", was a great memory of my childhood

[@nicktaylor2391]

Same. ❤

[@rockymvvrcianu6846]

Ok now I'm gonna go look for that trailer while drinking out glass McDonald's mug with Robin on it.

[@TheLanternZ]

@@rockymvvrcianu6846damnnnn no you didn’t lol ma guy

[@kenW13]

🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽🤌🏽yesss!!

[@rockchrist]

Same!

[@emorsi]

Not only he sounds as good as on studio recording, he even sounds better live. What an artist. One of a kind.

[@shizukagozen777]

I was at his concert 1 month ago and I can confirm that his voice is 1000 times better live ! He's such a gem.

[@LtheDetective]

This song and Bryan Adam's 'Everything I Do' were my movie soundtrack adolescent anthems 😂

[@wahoo4uva]

🎯🎯🎯💯✨

[@MrRipsnowman]

One of the most creative songs ever written. Singing a major 7th over a major chord where the major 7th isn't in the orchestration so his vocal becomes part of the orchestration.

[@jackdavinci]

I have no idea what that means, but I wish I did

[@LeeB-l6y]

​@@trapez77don't gotta be so jealous

[@Tookool-k2n]

Didn't Rick say he plays a same note major then minor in succession. "Did you know -major, that when it's snows- minor?

[@bullhornzz]

You just went full Beato there Bro. 😀👍

[@scifiwriter98]

I understand what that means but it's something I'd never figure out. It probably accounts for what makes the song so uniquely beautiful.

[@Brad.T]

Batman Forever came out in 1995, I was 6, and I was super into Batman, U2 and Seal. The U2 song was Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me. For the 6 year old me, this movie was AWESOME. Especially the end credits, and the Batman/Kiss From a Rose music video. I just re watched the end credits on KZbin and man, does it give me so many nostalgic feelings. I remember my brother and I both sporting Batman T-Shirts, we wore them everywhere. Also, Seal's voice is still so so good all these years later, and he seems like such a sweet genuine man!

[@bball3048mmfr]

That particular year in my life was one of my favorites because of those things you mentioned. I was 14 years old and in the summer of 95, I was belting out Seal's song all the time.

[@dixztube]

Ugh I miss the 90s. Things were soooooo simpler

[@171sako]

I was 8 & loved both the movie & music video. It's played a lot on local programing

[@itsKitsunMaaaneee]

"kiss from a rose" is on my playlist 2024. Absolute banger

[@TheC.O.-VISIT]

Til this day I've never heard any song like Kiss From a Rose. It was just phenomenal and so mysterious. Seal broke the mold with that one.

[@AidilAfham]

I think coz it sounds bery medievel, which doesnt describe many songs

[@nathaninostroza7655]

It's really a well crafted tune indeed, like a mix of musical cultures in a pop tune, with more soul than any pop tune. The chords proggressions on it's several parts are like a full song on each one off them, making a giant song.

[@fidencioflores2680]

Iris - Goo Goo Dolls

[@altcarbonvoy]

Love & Hate Micheal Kiwanuka

[@MrBajandoc]

That's the word! There's something mysterious about it.

[@SunniMerlot]

To everyone under 30 you may have no idea how huge this song was to us back then. No social media but EVERYONE of every race was playing this. It was on commercials and all kinds of media. In todays world it would have easily had Taylor swift type streams

[@Scream250]

Every race, every social class, urban London or rural South Africa...this was the anthem.

[@jhanturandall2519]

Only thing I remember from that Batman movie. The song was a moment in time

[@OakleafOrganic]

Let's just calm down before the gen-x jerk-a-thon orgy. It's called MTV. We didn't do anything but sit back and watch like good consumers.

[@OakleafOrganic]

​@@Scream250Mexicans say, "Meh "

[@Scream250]

@@OakleafOrganic I've never watched a minute of MTV but I love the song to this day.

[@kasperfauerby7389]

What a voice! At 60+, still going strong.. just amazing. Here's a guy who definitely does not need autotune!

[@louislectric]

His voice remarkably remains stage-ready even at this age. Soothing.

[@ScottToma]

I got to meet Seal back stage at Pine Knob Music Theater in Michigan in 1994. You were the most gracious artists I’ve ever met. Thank you for the years of beautiful music.

[@Ottophil]

Seeing mason play this lead made me smile and today hasnt been good. Thanks man

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Glad to hear it

[@michaurban9046]

Hope you're good now bro

[@PvtMiniEntertainment]

Damn homie, hope whatever you were dealing with is better by now

[@Cayres9]

Also this song was better than the Batman Forever movie lol , The song is the only reason why i watched the movie and it saved it.

[@dave_d_i_a_l]

😂 right, so true…

[@Cayres9]

@@dave_d_i_a_l LOL yeah how can a movie be so awful with somany great actors ?

[@xambrehgm]

I love forever. Such a 66s batman vibe.

[@michaelcohen7343]

I also liked the song by U2 “Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me?” I think that’s the name of it

[@Cayres9]

@@michaelcohen7343 Ah I remember that one thanks for the flashback to a better era 👍 that was a good tune

[@osirismaximus2787]

Reminds me of riding in my dad's station wagon when I was little. When this song came on, we would just hear it the whole way through and not say a word. I felt so safe and comfortable. My dad was such a good person. He knew how to explain things so that I understood them. He knew how to make me laugh, and he knew how to keep me out of trouble. He loved me to the fullest extent a father can love a son. I miss him very much.

[@ypcomchic]

Beautiful memories. I’m sorry for your loss.

[@lesath7883]

May he be in light.

[@LiamJaytheGreat]

I have almost identical memories. Cherish every one my friend. May they be always bright and your love for them never fade.

[@thejman--]

Damn. I hope my little girl speaks of me someday the way you speak of your father.

[@saysomestuff]

@@thejman-- Was just thinking the same about my two boys - what a beautiful legacy to leave.

[@Joefest99]

Literally one of the most beautiful songs ever written! 🙏

[@wakjob961]

30 years... where did it go. You landed Seal dude. What a get!

[@jiblanco31]

His voice is as smooth and incredible as it was in 1995. He was in front of me in London Heathrow airport security and was the nicest musician I have ever met. Love Seal!

[@dudfaz]

He's still got it.

[@therealdoug1000]

What a humble and remarkably talented man. That vocal take was outstanding!

[@mallygeedkm]

A few key points: 1. While Seal is explaining the songs elements (the style, arrangement, time signature, etc) you can see his passion about it. This makes me realize as an artist you are all in and it’s beautiful. 2. Some songs are made for one purpose and that song fit the tone of the movie so perfectly that it’s undeniable. The movie wouldn’t have done as well without the video and the song wouldn’t have done as well without the song. I remember people only went to see the movie because the video and song made it look epic.

[@SplatterInker]

I bloody fell in love with this song as a literal child. It's got a fantastical, gothic feel. It's *so* English to me. So full of Tudor polyphony that it sounds like it belongs alongside Scarborough Fair and Fields of Gold... folky yet more elegant than that. Like Victorians imagining themselves in the court of Elizabeth I. Stunning. Just 🥰

[@Frazzled_Chameleon]

This song still bangs and will continue to bang in all perpetuity.

[@MT-or7lv]

Kiss from a Rose and IRIS are two of the most beautiful song's on the 90's.

[@fidencioflores2680]

Everything I do- Bryan Adams

[@curtisthomas2670]

From two great movies, along with Bittersweet Symphony

[@NovaWin]

Also Tonic “if you could only see”

[@danielduncan6370]

What a cool dude Seal is. And so humble.

[@LeviClay]

Mason, PLEASE ask him to put out that demo track, I'm sure the world would love to hear it.

[@VertexEffectsInc]

I think it might be on KZbin as an audio file only.

[@viktorfreedom9978]

This song is pure poetry. Fantastic unplugged version

[@2beJT]

My friend's mom was the coolest person ever. She had bands from the area over in her basement, she always had the best and freshest music before you heard it on the radio. My memory of this song is looking at the CD cover for Seal 2 and watching her singing while spinning through her house. It felt like it was all over the radio that next year. Patty is still the coolest mom I ever met.

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

Did you?

[@EobardTron]

Yeah, this was out before the Batman soundtrack, cuz my Dad had the CD, I remember listening to this the summer before.

[@katherandefy]

Was her last name Smith?! 😊

[@baldlyjoe]

I always consider this song timeless. Seal really made a captivating melody that would make any age stop and listen. The lyrics and composition are just perfect.

[@WarriorEsoteric]

The beauty of this song is that it came to life in the purest way, 100% organically

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Seal sang the harmonies

[@WarriorEsoteric]

@@VertexEffectsInc yep and they are magnificent

[@fretgods9684]

Seal is one of those artists that you remember exactly where you were when you heard one of his songs for the first time, and a whole host of other memories of that time, come flooding back to you.

[@ChrisTopher-wl6pd]

First time I heard this I was standing in my parents room…. Some music award show was on… he was performing… I was hooked.

[@behrampatel4872]

💯

[@global001]

Seal still has it. Incredible his voice is still so spot on. Amazing talent.

[@StruggleoftheOutsider]

Just grew some new appreciation and respect for ol' Seal. 🌕🦇

[@ejohns224]

I'm really only into hard rock and metal but this will always be one of my all time favorite songs. It's beautiful and simple.

[@_david.mudra_]

How good that causal "BABY" was at 12:00 😄 legend

[@grxengine6188]

He makes a great point. You can’t do music that others can feel without giving some of yourself to it. It becomes popular because people can feel your passion in it. Kiss From A Rose is a perfect illustration of that. Seal is a special artist in so many ways. Trevor Horn again proved his sight beyond sight by giving him total resources to express his music.

[@RarebitFiends]

I never knew Seal had a Buggles connection, awesome!

[@MrCosmicVictory]

True, true, and true!

[@ericzenk4404]

those vocals are so good.

[@superchargerone]

First time hearing Seal in an interview and he came across as being very personable and warm like a friend you could talk to for hours. Great interview. sub.

[@d.felixphoto2260]

Hands down one of the most absolutely perfect songs I've ever heard.

[@stanpopovsky]

Чудесная песня. Рад, что он в порядке. Голос стал, пожалуй, даже лучше с тех пор как он записал тот альбом.

[@OYME13]

Seal is a real one. What a great interview

[@robhws]

Immediately transports me back to 1995.

[@Stevenewmansa]

Kiss from a Rose was the first song I fell in love with! It's when I first started paying attention to music.

[@OnesTheGodBMW]

I love this song it was in that Batman movie this song is definitely timeless

[@deancoleman6651]

Literally 4 seconds into this video I grabbed my guitar 😂 takes me back to my childhood that song

[@The-Real-Blissful-Ignorance]

I was 23 years old when this song was new, everyone that I knew either loved the song, or hated the song. I loved it then, and still do today.

[@letmethinkaboutit8982]

This song is definitely my favorite from Seal. Too bad we don’t have REAL music like this nowadays 😭.

[@JackWorster]

Kiss from a rose is a masterpiece! Much love from yet another old metal head guitarist. The harmonies, the words... ❤... it's a song in a class of its own. Thank you

[@dirkz.duggitz1567]

I havent seen one comment about Seals guitar playing. Hes clearly left handed playing a regular guitar flipped, while using chords. Imagine learning guitar basically upside down. Then to play it while singing with a voice like that?! Some talent is so insanely rare. 3:50

[@ghostraven3749]

Jimmi Hendrix was right handed and he played guitar flipped. Toni Iomi from Black Sabbath as well. I play rock band and I’m right handed and I play with the guitar flipped as well.

[@dirkz.duggitz1567]

@@ghostraven3749 maybe not as rare as I had thought. I did know about a few of those guys. Toni Iomi has like half a finger doesn't he, or am I thinking of someone else? Yet I still find it impressive. I'm right handed and I've been noodling for 20+ years. Not great by no means. But knowledgeable enough to be impressed by the extra effort that would go into this. I'm not even good enough to sing while playing. I guess it would be easier to learn upside down than to find and buy left handed guitars tho. I just can't imagine learning chords and everything else all backwards. Kudos to you sir.

[@basil33]

2:42 I always love the break down

[@Powhart]

This is the first time I'm hearing Seal speaking - I LOVE HIS ACCENT!!!

[@landoncisneros4248]

That was a fantastic interview. Incredible voice!

[@Cayres9]

I met Seals Guitar player back around 2003 he was visiting his parents at Lilac Court retirement home in a Town Called Slough , My Grandparents were friends with his parents and introduced me to him , I play guitar too and was star struck as the guy TJ his name was had all gold rings on and looked like Jimi Hendrix , He had a guitar in his car and proceeded to play awesome music , Anyway this is an excellent performance by Seal , hes still got that voice amazing man.

[@JFLY78]

Slough?...that's the place that has Europe's biggest trading estate, right? I hear it's close to Windsor but the properties less?...if that's true, it definitely sounds like my kind of town!

[@Cayres9]

@@JFLY78 That's true but crime rates very high Britwell Estate is dangerous

[@thespacegoddessgypsy]

A classic! 🎶✨️💖👑

[@virtualmonk2072]

Seeing Seal live was probably the best gig I've been to.❤

[@atomicsamurai9742]

Love this song, a classic

[@SM-bm6jo]

It is good to hear him singing so well after all these years. I'd say that the song clicked for me because it contains so many "Sealisms." It is his voice and the way it is presented. He has a very interesting and appealing singing voice. That "bay-baya!" is an example. That grabs my attention. He also does this sort of cut left/right/left /right with his vocals. In the song there is a sort of spilling out of tones that trickle down the scale in perfect pitch like a gentle stream and he did not use Autotune. The harmonies are pitch perfect. There is much much more to enjoy than the melody, there's more than one melody. It has elements that would not be expected to work as a whole but somehow do. He could have taken parts and made several different songs out of this one.

[@kylecoffey6010]

Mason! Oh You lucky bastard! That was awesome you got to jam with Seal! Bucket list... complete! Great content!!

[@geoffredrup9616]

Wonderful stuff, Mason. Firstly, thanks for posting these clips as I don't always have time for the full interviews. Secondly, Seal's voice remains as good as the day he arrived in the public's conscience. A voice of whisky and cigars with just a dash of heaven. What a lovely, humble, guy. I'm going to plead with you once again; please, please, please, get George Benson on your channel.

[@stevenmonte7397]

I was mesmerized for months listening to this over and over. Such a beautiful song! I ran to Sound Warehouse in Dallas and searched all around for who sang this song. I remember looking all over until I found it.

[@rammingspeed5217]

Its about Drugs?.. Or..

[@ArkhitectProductions]

Legendary song... Perfection.

[@thoughtstorn854]

Classic ❤❤❤❤ kiss from a rose

[@russhay422]

What a fantastic interview! Something about when music people are hanging out and having fun telling stories about the past. SEAL is a one of a kind person but so very relatable and warm. A joy to hang out with the both of you, Mason!

[@Correc7edAuraYT]

This will always be a great song. He still sounds amazing for his age as well.

[@robertfarrar9223]

What a humble man with a beautiful song. No one performs a song better than the person who wrote it. Well done! Thanks for sharing this video😊

[@corrupted_realm]

That's not true. I've definitely heard covers that were better than the original. However, in this case, it is.

[@jan-martinulvag1962]

I am shocked by how wonderful Seal is.

[@tomcoryell]

The song took me completely by surprise. I was not a movie watching person and was just blown away that a song that well performed, arranged and produced would be on the radio. It sounded so much better musically/ harmonically than what was on the radio at the time. I think I may have pulled my car over to finish listening to it. It IS that good. Doesn’t matter how good a guitar player you are Seal, you are a GREAT MUSICIAN! You can’t say that about all singers. Also, killer job on this Mason! I would have been too nervous and would have hit a clam somewhere along the way. Well done by both of you!

[@MrHereWeGoYo]

100% 90's gem.

[@Ek0]

Great interview. Seal is an intellectual and a humble guy. Appreciate his takes on things.

[@scottbuffington5964]

I truly enjoyed this interview. His song will last on epic levels and the advice given on trying to break out of yourself is of equally such.

[@CozumelTy]

One of the best constructed songs ever! Awesome. Seal is so laid back and cool. I hope he is like this in his real life cause he seems like a blast to be around. And he is so modest about how great this song is!

[@kojoefante]

Of course he is .

[@monkeypuzzler]

Absolute chills during this whole performance. What an absolutely beautiful song and voice Seal has. What a treasure

[@TheDaoOfRescue]

Fuck this thing sounds great acoustic

[@dmd7472]

Imagine being so cool that you have Seal as a fan 🤯 iconic song timeless song. Everyone has an emotion attached to that song no matter what’s jazz you got going on

[@dmd7472]

this will stand as a seminal interview. People will come back to this in years to come

[@LearnWithStephen]

Such a beautiful song. Thank you for this version and enriching my day. (And fine guitar for both)

[@tompoynton]

It’s an extraordinary song

[@butters88871]

I love you man! I've loved this song since my conception.

[@bobbyadamson2333]

This is such a great interview with such a cool artist

[@J.B.1982]

I liked that song even as a young man listening to a ton of metal and industrial music. Something about it just hit. He's explaining why it's an "weird" song for the pop charts and that makes sense.

[@get2del]

Incredibly talented yet humble. Geez I miss that

[@calebwyman5510]

I’m so glad you’re alive. I’m getting bored and I’m gonna find another video. Whatever happened to see well apparently he’s still alive. I’m glad to hear it.

[@jdmercado718]

Fantastic performance. Thank you!

[@nicholec2529]

This song is still on my playlist ❤❤❤

[@unexpectedvixen5685]

My dad dragged my little brother and me to that batman movie and literally the only thing i remember about that movie is this song.

[@Mazalgn9]

Amazing!

[@robhamilton5057]

fantastic song writer and clearly a very nice guy!

[@starrlaminx7008]

Great singer! I love hearing Seal sing live every chance I get. Thank you for posting 💕

[@FSAviators]

Love every second of this. Amazing context and excellent performancd from a legend...10/10

[@VertexEffectsInc]

Did you see the full 3-hour interview this was clipped from.

[@ghostraven3749]

A time when a movie had an awesome soundtrack to promote it.

[@drvee1983]

When you write and perform this tune and " Crazy "? I'd say you nailed it. He knew it, and so do we. Beautiful.

[@aaroncfriedman]

I first heard this song when i was 5 years old, from the grammy CD that came out after he won (1995?), and now I am 35 and i still love this song. Thank you Seal for a beautiful track, it has stayed in my heart all my life ❤