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Smooth Operator
Sade
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- Album
- The Best of Sade
- Released
- 1994
- Genres
- Length
- 4:19
- Tempo
- 119 BPM
- Label
- Epic
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About this song
"Smooth Operator" was the third single from Sade's debut album Diamond Life, and the album takes its title from the song's first line. The single reached #5 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #19 on the UK Singles Chart. Hip-hop artists including Rakim, Big Daddy Kane and Snoop Dogg later referenced the song and its title.
What it's about
The song portrays a dominant, alpha-male lover who is bad for the narrator but still irresistible.
Fun facts
- Sampled in 19 other songs, like “Disorientation I by The Caretakers”.
- Covered 10 times, including “Smooth Operator by Tongo Hiti”.
- Written by Raymond St. John, Sade Adu and Stuart Matthewman.
- Produced by Robin Millar.
- Recorded at Power Plant Studios (Wilesden.