Sade’s meticulous approach to music creation – marked by only six albums in 36 years – means that the concept of ‘deep cuts’ hardly applies to her discography. However, “Spirit,” a 1984 B-side, stands out as a unique gem. Never re-released and distinct from anything else Sade (the band, not just the singer) has ever recorded, this track is up-tempo, vibrant, danceable, and genuinely euphoric. It’s a surprising departure that showcases the band’s versatility beyond their signature smooth sound, making it a fascinating early exploration in their musical journey and a must-listen for dedicated fans seeking to delve deeper into Sade Songs.
19. Cherish the Day (1992)
Sade’s influence on hip-hop is undeniable, with legendary artists like Drake, Rick Ross, Missy Elliott, and Jay-Z openly declaring themselves as fans. “Cherish the Day,” with its cool yet passionate vocals and minimalist, slow-motion funk, exemplifies this influence. This Sade song’s captivating rhythm was sampled in the late Nipsey Hussle’s “If U Were Mine,” a poignant tribute highlighting how Sade’s music resonates even with the ‘hardest hood,’ as Rakim famously noted, capable of captivating and moving even the most stoic listeners with its emotional depth. This cross-genre appeal underscores the universal impact of Sade songs.
18. It’s Only Love That Gets You Through (2000)
Closing the album Lovers Rock, “It’s Only Love That Gets You Through” offers a hushed and intimate experience. Built around a simple organ and sparse piano, this Sade song is incredibly potent in its quiet delivery. Interestingly, the rich, multi-tracked vocals and the atmosphere of sadness subtly intertwined with glimmers of hope seem to foreshadow the musical style of James Blake a decade later. This track highlights Sade’s ability to create deeply emotional soundscapes with minimal instrumentation, a hallmark of her artistry and a reason why Sade songs continue to resonate with contemporary artists and audiences alike.
17. Babyfather (2010)
Despite appearing on the Sade album named Soldier of Love, “Babyfather” leans closer to the lovers rock genre than its album title might suggest. This melodically beautiful Sade song is enhanced with Jamaican-accented backing vocals, creating a warm, comforting vibe. However, a subtle layer of darkness is introduced by the lyrical narrative, which suggests a mother reassuring her daughter of her father’s unwavering loyalty, perhaps in the face of uncertain circumstances. This nuanced storytelling, combined with the soothing musicality, makes “Babyfather” a standout track within Sade’s later discography and a testament to her evolving songwriting.
Sade’s signature emotive style captures heartbreak with unparalleled depth.
16. Immigrant (2000)
Beneath the popular perception of Sade as purveyors of sophisticated, ‘yuppie soundtrack’ music, lies a consistent thread of bleak social realism. “Immigrant” arguably stands as the most powerful expression of this element within Sade songs. Simmering with palpable anger, the track is rich with small yet sharply observed details. The poignant line, “They gave him his change, but didn’t want to touch his hand,” encapsulates the subtle yet profound forms of prejudice and alienation experienced by immigrants. This song demonstrates Sade’s capacity to address weighty social issues with subtlety and impact, adding depth to her musical repertoire beyond romantic themes.
15. Flower of the Universe (2018)
Sade’s output in the last decade has been primarily focused on film soundtracks. Among these, “Flower of the Universe” from Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time stands out, surpassing even the stark ballad “The Big Unknown” from Widows. This exceptional Sade song is drum-free, built on acoustic guitar and delicate harp elements, and features ethereal, wordless backing vocals. These elements combine to create something truly rare in Sade’s catalog: an undeniably eerie track. Its haunting beauty underscores Sade’s ability to adapt her signature sound to diverse contexts while maintaining its emotional resonance.
14. I Never Thought I’d See the Day (1988)
The original version of “I Never Thought I’d See the Day” is undeniably beautiful, featuring Sade’s voice gracefully floating over a minimal backing of synths and pulsing bass. However, a truly compelling rendition exists in the form of the Musk Men’s bootleg 1995 remix, titled “I Never Thought”. This unofficial remix transforms the Sade song into an introverted, small-hours deep house track, offering a completely new perspective on the original’s melancholic beauty. This highlights the versatility of Sade’s music and its capacity to be reimagined across different genres while retaining its core emotional power.
13. Slave Song (2000)
The idea of Sade creating a dubby roots reggae track might have once seemed improbable. However, “Slave Song” proved to be a remarkable and successful genre exploration for the band. This Sade song is genuinely terrific, demonstrating a natural affinity for reggae rhythms and textures. Notably, the live version, featuring roots reggae legends the Abyssinians on backing vocals, elevates the track even further. This unexpected foray into reggae underscores Sade’s willingness to experiment and their ability to seamlessly blend their signature style with diverse musical traditions, broadening the spectrum of Sade songs.
12. Never As Good As the First Time (1985)
“Never As Good As the First Time,” relatively up-tempo for Sade and boasting a distinctly 1985 production style—noticeable in the Art of Noise-esque sampled vocal snippet—possesses a relaxed and breezy quality. While the music might suggest a celebration of new romance, the lyrics deliver a surprisingly gloomy and fatalistic message: it’s all downhill from here. This juxtaposition of upbeat music with downbeat lyrics creates an intriguing tension, making this Sade song a memorable and slightly ironic entry in her discography, playing with listener expectations.
11. Paradise (1988)
“Paradise” represents Sade at their most carefree. The arrangement is remarkably minimalist: two endlessly repeated chords, a bassline that remains constant throughout, and light touches of funk guitar. However, Sade’s breathily elated vocal performance perfectly captures the initial euphoria of romance. Lines like “Ooh, what a life!” encapsulate the giddy joy of new love. This Sade song exemplifies how simplicity can be incredibly effective in conveying pure emotion, making it a light yet captivating track in her repertoire.
10. The Sweetest Taboo (1985)
Sade’s second album, Pride, adopted a more autumnal tone compared to their summery debut. “The Sweetest Taboo,” the album’s lead single, opens with the sound of rain, immediately setting a melancholic mood. A distinct sadness permeates its chords and lyrics, suggesting a love that is perhaps unrequited or tinged with longing. For a captivating example of Sade’s enduring stage presence, the 2011 live performance available on YouTube is a masterclass in effortless cool and sophisticated performance of this classic Sade song.
9. Soldier of Love (2010)
Sade often appears to exist in their own self-contained musical world, seemingly untouched by fleeting trends in popular music. However, the production on “Soldier of Love,” the title track from their 2010 album, subtly hints at contemporary R&B influences. Despite these modern touches, the song remains unmistakably Sade. Sade Adu’s vocal delivery is as commanding and imperious as ever, asserting her unique artistic identity even while engaging with contemporary sonic landscapes. This track demonstrates Sade’s ability to evolve without sacrificing her core sound, keeping Sade songs relevant across decades.
Sade in concert, showcasing her timeless musicality and stage presence.
8. Smooth Operator (1984)
The band that Sade most closely resembled in their early days wasn’t their quiet storm contemporaries, but rather the early 80s art-rock sophistication of Roxy Music. This influence is evident in “Smooth Operator.” The song’s glossy, luxurious soundscape envelops lyrics that offer an ambiguous portrayal of its jet-setting subject. The jaded undertones become even clearer in the full-length album version, with the cautionary line, “Heaven help him when he falls.” This Sade song established her signature blend of cool sophistication and lyrical depth, becoming an instant classic.
7. When Am I Going to Make a Living? (1984)
“When Am I Going to Make a Living?” can be seen as Sade’s equivalent to the Pet Shop Boys’ “Opportunities.” Both songs share a similar thematic ambiguity. They could be misinterpreted as celebrating 80s materialism and Thatcherite-era self-improvement, rather than serving as a critique of those very values. The protagonists in both songs are depicted as being at the bottom of the social hierarchy, struggling to survive in an increasingly indifferent society. This socially conscious Sade song offers a commentary on economic hardship masked within a seemingly accessible pop format.
6. Bullet Proof Soul (1992)
Sade’s mastery of conveying small-hours heartbreak is unparalleled, and “Bullet Proof Soul” might be the quintessential example. The vocal performance is both yearning and controlled, perfectly balancing vulnerability and strength. The lyrics suggest a belief in karmic justice for a wayward lover. The understated arrangement, featuring meandering saxophone, melancholic piano, and subtle drum machine rhythms, creates the perfect atmosphere of late-night introspection. This Sade song is a masterclass in emotional subtlety and atmospheric depth, solidifying her reputation for heartbreak anthems.
5. Love Is Stronger Than Pride (1988)
Sade emerged from the pre-acid house London club scene, particularly influenced by venues like The Wag. It might be a coincidence, but 1988’s Stronger Than Pride album, and particularly the song “Love Is Stronger Than Pride,” felt distinctly Balearic in its vibe. This Sade song evokes a heat-haze atmosphere with its shimmering synth textures, delicate Spanish guitar flourishes, and Sade’s exquisitely airy vocal delivery. It captures a sense of sun-drenched, sophisticated cool, aligning with the Balearic spirit of the late 80s music scene.
4. Hang on to Your Love (1984)
“Hang on to Your Love” was Sade’s US debut single and arguably the highlight of their debut album, Diamond Life. A beautifully crafted song, it perfectly demonstrates how remarkably mature Sade sounded right from their arrival on the music scene. This track effectively minted their signature sound, a sophisticated blend of jazz, soul, and pop that they have continued to refine and explore over the past 36 years. “Hang on to Your Love” is a foundational Sade song that established their lasting appeal.
3. Is It a Crime? (1985)
“It dives, it jumps and it ripples like the deepest ocean,” go the lyrics of “Is It a Crime?”, a description that perfectly encapsulates the song itself. This six-minute saga of romantic obsession ebbs and flows dynamically, surging from verses delivered in an almost whispered tone to a brass-heavy, powerful chorus. There’s a distinct toughness in Sade’s vocal performance throughout the song, adding another layer to its emotional complexity. This epic Sade song showcases her ability to build dramatic tension and emotional intensity within a sophisticated musical framework.
2. No Ordinary Love (1992)
“No Ordinary Love” could be considered the distilled essence of Sade. It manages to pack a significant emotional punch while maintaining an air of effortlessness and refined elegance. One unusual element is the chugging, distorted guitar, suggesting a nod to the grunge sound that was prominent at the time. This unexpected sonic texture might explain the subsequent cover version by Deftones, of all bands. This iconic Sade song blends her signature sound with subtle contemporary influences, resulting in a track that is both timeless and subtly innovative.
1. By Your Side (2000)
A compelling argument can be made that Lovers Rock is Sade’s masterpiece. This album is a collection of deeply moving meditations on themes of parenthood, loss, and race, where Sade simultaneously streamlined and broadened their sonic palette. The tracks on Lovers Rock subtly encompass a range of genres, from hip-hop and reggae to singer-songwriter folk. And at the heart of it lies “By Your Side,” arguably Sade’s greatest song. Its hushed atmosphere subtly echoes Bob Marley’s “No Woman No Cry,” its melody feels instantly familiar in its perfection, and its lyrics are simple yet profoundly moving. The fact that “By Your Side” isn’t a modern standard frequently performed on shows like The X Factor remains somewhat of a mystery, though The 1975’s Auto-Tune-heavy cover offers a contemporary take on this quintessential Sade song.
