Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Seal: Finding The 'Soul' Behind The Song
Seal's new album of classic 1970s soul songs is called <em>Soul 2</em>.
(
Nabil
/
Courtesy of the artist
)
Listen
10:29
Seal's newest album, Soul 2, is so called because of its content: 11 classic R&B hits from the 1960s and '70s, reimagined by the British pop singer. But Seal says that beyond the genre, he has his own personal definition of soul in music, one more to do with the songwriter's intent.
"That is what I care about. I don't care if it's a Katy Perry song, I don't care if it's classical, if it's soul or R&B, if it's rock, if it's pop, if it's rap," Seal says. "I'm a huge fan of Lil Wayne. As far as I'm concerned, he's as relevant as Dylan is — he's real. And that's what I admire most about songs: When they are real, when they are heartfelt, when they are well-crafted, and when they are crafted with integrity. That, to me, is soul."
Seal has recently experienced some big changes in his own life: He and his wife, the model Heidi Klum, announced last week that they are separating. The singer says that although he didn't write any of the songs on Soul 2, the final product can't help but reflect his state of mind.
"You don't have to be singing specifically about things that are going on in your life," he says, "but because of the nature of music, because it is this incredibly emotional phenomenon, everything that you are feeling or experiencing is relayed in the music you put out. And not necessarily in the lyrical content — it shows in the tone of your voice."
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
