Next year marks four decades since the iconic UK band Sade, named after its captivating lead vocalist Helen Folasade Adu, burst onto the music scene. With groundbreaking hits such as “Smooth Operator,” “Your Love Is King,” and “Hang On to Your Love,” their debut album, Diamond Life, achieved widespread critical acclaim and dominated both R&B and pop radio. This seminal work ushered in a new era of Quiet Storm and smooth soul, profoundly influencing generations of musicians. Throughout their remarkable career, Sade has released six studio albums, selling over 75 million records globally, solidifying their status as music legends.
The band’s deliberate and infrequent approach to creating and releasing music has cultivated an aura of mystique around both the group and its enigmatic singer. Beyond Adu’s unmistakable vocals, the core quartet comprises Paul S. Denman on bass, Andrew Hale on keys, and Stuart Matthewman on guitar and saxophone. Together, this exceptional ensemble has crafted some of the most sophisticated and emotionally resonant songs exploring the intricacies of love. From the poignant acceptance of love’s end in “Love Is Stronger Than Pride” to the resolute fight to preserve love in “Soldier of Love,” Sade’s vulnerability and exceptional musicality have established them as one of the most beloved acts in music history.
With anticipation building for new music rumored to be on the horizon and Sade Adu’s recent induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, we delve into the best songs from their impressive discography. From the deeply melancholic “Is It A Crime” to their triumphant 2010 comeback single, “Soldier of Love,” here are 15 essential Sade songs that showcase her timeless artistry and vocal prowess.
15. “The Moon and the Sky” (2010)
Opening their 2010 album Soldier of Love, “The Moon and the Sky” is a poignant reflection on regret and lost romance. Sade Adu’s evocative vocals express deep yearning as she laments the extravagant efforts she would make – promising to “pull in all the stars above” – only to be left alone. This sentimental ballad, with its lush instrumentation and heartfelt delivery, even caught the attention of JAY-Z, who added his own spin to the track with a notable remix, further highlighting the song’s universal appeal and emotional resonance.
14. “King of Sorrow” (2000)
Sade’s enduring relatability stems from their ability to articulate the private struggles of love and life through song. In “King of Sorrow,” a standout single from their Lovers Rock album released in 2000, Adu masterfully captures the profound grief of a heavy heart navigating an indifferent world. Her performance embodies a martyr of love, channeling collective tears and unspoken sorrows. The song’s gentle rhythm and introspective lyrics create a space for listeners to connect with their own feelings of sadness and resilience, making it a deeply comforting and cathartic experience.
13. “I Never Thought I’d See the Day” (1988)
Sade’s third album, Stronger Than Pride, marked a subtle yet significant sonic evolution for the smooth pop-jazz genre they helped define. Influenced by the burgeoning UK club music scene of 1988, “I Never Thought I’d See the Day” exemplifies this shift. The track blends hypnotic, pulsating, and ethereal grooves with smooth horn arrangements, blurring the lines between a romantic ballad and a sophisticated dance track. This innovative soundscape provides the perfect backdrop for Sade’s vocals as she sings about a love slipping through her fingers, adding a layer of bittersweetness to the song’s rhythmic drive.
12. “Soldier of Love” (2009)
“Soldier of Love,” the title track and comeback single from their 2010 album, is a powerful declaration of resilience and unwavering conviction. Sade Adu’s delivery is imbued with strength as she asserts that no amount of heartbreak can deter her from “trying her hardest and doing her best” in the battlefield of love. The accompanying music video, directed by longtime collaborator Sophie Muller and featuring choreography by the legendary Fatima Robinson, elevates the song’s message of quiet strength and determination. “Soldier of Love” stands as a testament to Sade’s ability to blend musical innovation with profound emotional depth.
11. “Pearls” (1992)
While Sade is predominantly known for ballads and mid-tempo songs about love, some of their most impactful works explore broader social themes, ranging from addiction to poverty. “Pearls,” from the album Love Deluxe, is a poignant example of their socially conscious songwriting. This masterfully crafted song tells the heartbreaking story of a woman in Somalia desperately searching for pearls to survive in a life of hardship “she didn’t choose.” After a grueling day of labor under the harsh sun, the woman finds just enough to return home to her daughter. Adu’s hauntingly beautiful vocal performance culminates in a powerful “Hallelujah,” a cry of both despair and resilience for a woman struggling for mere survival.
10. “Paradise” (1988)
“Paradise,” a signature Sade song frequently featured in live performances, was released as the second single from Stronger Than Pride. Driven by heavy percussion and a dance-ready bassline, the track’s upbeat production perfectly complements Sade’s confident and playful declarations of affection. Singing that she would “wash the sand off the shore” and “blow” her partner right to her door, “Paradise” embodies pop perfection. It seamlessly balances groove and tropical vibes, creating one of Sade’s most infectious and enduring songs, showcasing her versatility and range.
9. “Like a Tattoo” (1992)
Similar to “Pearls,” “Like a Tattoo,” from the Love Deluxe album, delves into themes of immigration, survivor’s guilt, and the universal experience of loneliness. Inspired by a real encounter Sade had with a stranger in a New York City bar, the song narrates the story of a former soldier grappling with survivor’s guilt and shame over killing a man who had surrendered. Sade Adu’s warm, empathetic vocal tone, combined with Stuart Matthewman’s detailed and poignant songwriting, vividly transports the listener to that bar, allowing them to share in the soldier’s profound burden and inner turmoil.
8. “Your Love Is King” (1984)
“Your Love Is King,” the debut single from Diamond Life, is not only one of Sade’s best songs but also a timeless love song in its own right. Stuart Matthewman’s bluesy saxophone solo and English producer Robin Millar’s soulful production were pivotal in propelling the Quiet Storm subgenre to a global audience. This track paved the way for a new wave of British R&B acts, including Soul II Soul, The Brand New Heavies, and Jamiroquai. “Your Love Is King” laid the foundation for this movement and remains a defining song of Sade’s early career and a cornerstone of contemporary soul music.
7. “Kiss of Life” (1992)
“Kiss of Life,” from Love Deluxe, is both evocative and utterly compelling, standing as one of the most sensual songs ever recorded. The fluid, slow-burning production, punctuated by a saxophone solo that weaves in and out of the melody, and Sade Adu’s breathy, husky vocals create an overwhelming sense of warmth and intimacy. The music video, directed by the legendary Albert Watson, further enhances the song’s allure, projecting an atmosphere of timeless desire and passionate love, literally bathing the scene in a red hue of intensity. “Kiss of Life” is a masterclass in creating sonic and visual sensuality.
6. “Love is Stronger Than Pride” (1988)
There’s a stark, heartbreaking simplicity to “Love Is Stronger Than Pride,” a quality that only Sade can truly evoke. With minimalist production built around fragments of Spanish guitar and airy sonic textures, Sade mourns the end of a relationship while acknowledging that love’s embers still glow. While she refrains from pretending to be devastated, she conveys that harboring hatred would be futile, as her love transcends anger. It’s a profound lesson in navigating love and loss, articulated with Sade’s signature elegance and emotional intelligence.
5. “The Sweetest Taboo” (1985)
“The Sweetest Taboo” is a seductive, understated mid-tempo track that exudes sensual affection through its Latin-infused percussion, delicate flute instrumentation, and instantly memorable chorus. The lyrics explore the intoxicating nature of love, referring to a partner’s ability to bring her to the peak of pleasure. A palpable tension builds throughout the song, lingering long after it concludes. Their love is portrayed as an addictive force, almost overwhelming in its intensity, leading Sade to question if such profound affection is even deserved, adding a layer of vulnerability to its sensuality.
4. “No Ordinary Love” (1992)
Listening to “No Ordinary Love” inevitably conjures images from the iconic Sophie Muller-directed music video. Sade, as a mermaid, falls deeply in love with a human sailor in an underwater realm. In a selfless act of devotion, she sacrifices her aquatic existence to join him on land, only to find him absent, leading her to wander aimlessly in search. “I gave you all that I had inside and you took my love,” she sings with heartbreaking vulnerability over the mournful arrangement. Only Sade could imbue such a profoundly sad song about sacrificial love with an ethereal and otherworldly beauty, making it both poignant and mesmerizing.
3. “Is It a Crime” (Lovers Live version) (2002)
For those fortunate enough to have experienced Sade live, the Lovers Live rendition of “Is It A Crime?” is considered not just a performance highlight but one of their definitive songs. This melancholic track unfolds with powerful guitar riffs, while the sax-driven production and improvisational piano solos intertwine and build in intensity throughout the nearly seven-minute performance. Executed with a big-band energy, the dynamics crescendo and recede, creating a show-stopping experience as Sade passionately questions if her enduring love for someone is “a crime.” The dramatic pauses punctuated by enthusiastic crowd responses enhance the performance’s authenticity, culminating in Sade’s soaring final note, indelibly etching this live version into memory.
2. “By Your Side” (2000)
Whether it’s the original version or the underappreciated Neptunes remix, “By Your Side,” the lead single from Lovers Rock, evokes a feeling of home and profound comfort. Sade Adu’s reassuring vocals and the song’s rich, enveloping production create a sense of warmth, like a comforting blanket on a peaceful Sunday afternoon. The gentle acoustic guitar, subtle synths, and reggae-inspired bassline—a nod to the UK’s Lovers rock genre—provide a spacious backdrop for Sade’s intimate lyrics. She offers a deeply personal glimpse into her life as a mother experiencing newfound love, making the song both universal and deeply personal in its appeal.
1. “Cherish the Day” (1992)
“Cherish the Day” boasts one of the most captivating opening lines in modern music: “You’re ruling the way that I move / And I breathe your air.” The iconic Spanish guitar intro, the enchanting trip-hop infused production, and the lush synths collectively amplify the song’s inherent coolness and sophistication. Adding to its allure is the Derek Allen-directed black and white music video. The mystique and captivating presence of Sade are fully realized in this visual masterpiece. Dressed in a chic white two-piece outfit, Sade plays guitar atop a New York City rooftop, the city below seemingly pulsating to her and the band’s music. While Matthewman, Hale, and Denman establish the sleek, exotic sonic atmosphere, “Cherish the Day” ultimately celebrates Sade Adu in her full goddess-like persona, solidifying its place as her quintessential song.
