SADE


The Best

(1993)



Sade (Helen Folasade ADU) was born in Nigeria on January 16, 1959, and was raised in London. Although Sade originally began studying fashion design, her desire for music led her to a jazz-funk group named PRIDE.
Sade, the woman, and SADE, the band, became staples on the pop and R&B charts from the mid-80's and into the 90s.
By selling millions of LPs around the world, Sade brought a level of class and a smooth jazz sound the ears of pop radio, always maintaining a high level of quality.
The longevity of Sade's music best represents the uniqueness of its sound.

SADE, the band, was formed with Adu, and former PRIDE members Stuart MATTHEWMAN (on sax and guitar), Andrew HALE (on keyboards), and Paul Spencer DENMAN (on bass). SADE's musical style has been described as "smoky faux-jazz."
As Stephen HOLDEN observed in the NEW YORK TIMES, " ... in a pop climate obsessed with changing sounds and the language of the street, Sade has shown herself to be a pop classicist more interested in creating a durable body of work than in keeping up ... (her) best songs find fresh images for expressing time-honored sentiments and placing them in settings that distill particular moods with a special intensity."



1. Paradise 4'01
(Sade Adu / Andrew Hale / Stuart Matthewman / Paul S. Denman)
From Stronger Than Pride, 1988
2. Why Can't We Live Together 5'29
(Timmy Thomas)
From Diamond Life, 1984
3. Jezebel 5'29
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman)
From Promise, 1985
4. Like A Tattoo 3'39
(Sade Adu / Andrew Hale / Stuart Matthewman)
From Love Deluxe, 1992
5. Siemre Hey Esperanza 5'16
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman / Leroy Osbourne)
From Stronger Than Pride, 1988
6. Is It A Crime 6'20
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman / Andrew Hale)
From Promise, 1985
7. Hang On To Your Love 6'01
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman)
From Diamond Life, 1984
8. No Ordinary Love 7'20
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman)
From Love Deluxe, 1992
9. Haunt Me 5'51
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman)
From Stronger Than Pride, 1988
10. I Will Be Your Friend 4'42
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman)
From Diamond Life, 1984
11. The Sweetest Taboo 4'37
(Sade Adu / Paul S. Ditcham)
From Promise, 1985
12. Feel No Pain 5'08
(Sade Adu / Andrew Hale / Sturt Matthewman
From Love Deluxe, 1992
13. Turn My Back On You 6'04
(Sade Adu / Andrew Hale / Sturt Matthewman
From Stronger Than Pride, 1988
14. Fear 4'09
(Sade Adu / Stuart Matthewman
From Promise, 1985

Total Time: 74:06


  • Sade Adu - Vocals, Producer
  • Stuart Matthewman - Guitar, Saxophone
  • Andrew Hale - Keyboards
  • Gordon Hunte - Guitar
  • Paul S. Denman - Bass
  • Terry Bailey - Trumpet
  • Pete Beachill - Trombone
  • Paul Cooke - Drums
  • Trevor Murrell - Drums
  • Karl Van Den Bossche - Percussion
  • Dave Early - Percussion, Drums
  • Martin Ditcham - Percussion
  • Leroy Osbourne - Vocals
  • Jake Jacas - Vocals
  • Gordon Matthewman - Trumpet
  • Tony Pleeth - Cello

    SADE - Arranger, Producer
    Mike Pela - Producer, Production Engineer
    Robin Millar - Producer
    Nick Ingman - Arranger, String Arrangements
    Phil Legg - Assistant Engineer
    Ben Rogan - Engineer
    Marc Williams - Assistant Engineer
    Gavyn Wright - Orchestra Leader
    Hein Hoven - Producer, Mixing
    Ian Cooper - Mastering
    Peter Brown - Assistant Engineer
    Olivier De Bosson - Assistant Engineer
    Frank Segarra - Assistant Engineer
    Melanie West - Assistant Engineer
    Adrian Moore - Assistant Engineer
    Alain Lubrano - Assistant Engineer
    Vince McCartney - Assistant Engineer
    Albert Watson - Photography



    1. Paradise

      I'd wash the sand off the shore
      Give you the world if it was mine
      Blow you right to my door
      Feels fine
      Feels like
      You're mine
      Feels right
      So fine
      I'm Yours
      You're mine
      Like Paradise
      I'd give the world if it was mine
      Feels fine
      Feels like
      You're mine
      I'm Yours
      So fine
      Like Paradise
      I'd wash the sand off the shore
      Give you the world if it was mine
      Blow you right to my door
      Feels fine
      Feels like
      You're mine
      Feels right
      So fine
      I'm Yours
      You're mine
      Like Paradise
      Oooh what a life
      Oooh what a life
      Oooh what a life
      Oooh what a life
      I wanna share my life
      Wanna share my life with you
      Wanna share my life
      I wanna share my life
      Wanna share my life with you
      Wanna share my life
      Oooh what a life
      Like paradise

    2. Why Can't We Live Together

      Tell me why tell me why tell me why
      Umm why can't we live together
      Tell me why tell me
      Umm why can't we live together
      Everybody wants to live together
      Why can't we be together
      No more war no more war no more war
      Umm just a little peace
      No more war no more war all we want
      Is some peace in this world
      Everybody wants to live together
      Why can't we be together
      No matter no matter what color
      Umm you are still my brother
      I said no matter no matter what color
      Umm you are still my brother
      Everybody wants to live together
      Why can't we be together
      Everybody wants to live
      Everybodys got to be together
      Ooh everybody wants to live
      Everybodys got to be together
      Ooh Ooh laaa laa laa laa
      Everybodys got to be together
      Everybody wants to be together
      I said no matter no matter what color
      Umm you are still my brother
      I said no matter no matter what color
      You are still my brother
      Everybody wants to live together
      Why can't we be together
      Goitta live together
      Together !

    3. Jezebel

      Jezebel wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth
      She probably had less than every one of us
      But when she knew how to walk she knew
      How to bring the house down
      Can't blame her for her beauty
      She wins with her hands down
      Jezebel, what a belle
      Looks like a princess in her new dress
      How did you get that
      Do you really want to know, she said
      It would seem she's on her way
      It's more, more than just a dream
      She put on her stockings and shoes
      Had nothing to lose - she said it was worth it
      Reach for the top
      And the sun is gonna shine
      Every winter was a war she said
      I want to get what's mine
      Jezebel Jezebel
      Won't try to deny where she came from
      You can see it in her pride
      And the raven in her eyes
      Try show her a better way
      She'll say you don't know what you've been missing
      And by the time she blinks you know she won't be listening
      Reach for the top she said
      And the sun is gonna shine
      Every winter was a war she said
      I want to get what's mine

    4. Like A Tattoo

      He told me sweet lies of sweet love
      Heavy with the burden of the truth
      And he spoke of his dreams
      Broken by the burden
      Broken by the burden of his youth
      Fourteen years he said
      I couldn't look into the sun
      She saw him laying at the end of my gun
      Hungrey for life
      And thirsty for the distant river
      I remember his hands
      And the way the mountains looked
      The light shot diamonds from his eyes
      Hungry for life
      And thirsty for the distant river
      Like the scar of age
      Written all over my face
      The war is still raging inside of me
      I still feel the chill
      As i reveal my shame to you
      I wear it like a tattoo
      I wear it like a tattoo
      I wear it like a tattoo

    5. Siemre Hey Esperanza

      ( instrumental )

    6. Is It A Crime

      It may come, it may come as some surprise
      but I miss you
      I could see through, all of your lies
      But I stll miss you
      He takes her love, but it doesn't feel like mine
      He tastes her kiss, her kisses are not wine, they're not mine
      He takes, but surely she can't give what I'm feeling now
      She takes, but surely she doesn't know how
      Is it a crime
      Is it a crime
      That I still want you
      And I want you to want me too
      My love is wider, wider than vitoria lake
      My love is taller, taller than the empire state
      It dives and it jumps and it ripples like the deepest ocean
      I can't give you more than that, surely you want me back
      Is it a crime
      Is it a crime
      That I still want you
      And I want you to want me too
      My love is wider than vitoria lake
      Taller than the empire state
      It dives and it jumps
      I can't give you more than that, surely you want me back
      Is it a crime
      Is it a crime
      That I still want you
      And I want you to want me too
      It dives and it jumps
      And it ripples like the deepest Ocean
      I can't give you more than that
      Surely you want me back
      Tell me
      Is it a crime

    7. Hang On To Your Love

      In heaven's name why are you walking away
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why do you play these games
      Hang on to your love
      Take time if you're down on luck
      It's so easy to walk out on love
      Take your time if the going gets tough
      It's so precious
      So if you want it to get stronger
      You'd better not let go
      You gotta hold on longer
      If you want your love to grow
      Gotta stick together
      Hand in glove
      Hold tight, don't fight
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why are you walking away
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why do you play these games
      Hang on to your love
      Be brave when the journey is rough
      It's not easy when you're in love
      Don't be ashamed when the going gets tough
      It's not easy don't give up
      If you want it to get stronger
      You'd better not let go
      You gotta hold on longer
      If you want your love to grow
      Gotta stick together
      Hand in glove
      Hold tight, don't fight
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why are you walking away
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why do you play these games
      Hang on to your love
      Da da da dee dee da, da da da dee dee da, daaa (dee dee daa) Da da da dee dee da, da da da dee dee da, daaa (dee dee daa)
      Da da da dee dee da, da da da dee dee da, daaa (dee dee daa) Da da da dee dee da, da da da dee dee da, daaa (dee dee daa)
      So if you want it to get stronger
      You'd better not let go
      You gotta hold on longer
      If you want your love to grow
      Gotta stick together
      Hand in glove
      Hold tight, don't fight
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why are you walking away
      Hang on to your love
      In heaven's name why do you play these games
      Hang on to your love
      When you find a love (to your love)
      Don't let it walk away
      When you find your love (to your love)
      You've got to make it stay (hang on)
      Hang on to your love
      Don't let it walk away
      When you find your love
      Got to make him stay
      You've got to hang on to your love (to your love)
      You've got to hang on to your love (to your love)
      Why are you walking away (why are you walking away)
      Why do you play these games< (play these games)
      Da da da dee dee da ( to your love), da da da dee dee da, daaa (to your love) Da da da dee dee da (to your love), da da da dee dee da, daaa (to your love ) Hang on to your love

    8. No Ordinary Love

      I gave you all the love I got
      I gave you more than I could give
      I gave you love
      I gave you all that I have inside
      And you took my love
      You took my love
      Didn't I tell you
      What I believe
      Did somebody say that
      A love like that won't last
      Didn't I give you
      All that I've got to give baby
      I gave you all the love I got
      I gave you more than I could give
      I gave you love
      I gave you all that I have inside
      And you took my love
      You took my love
      I keep crying
      I keep trying for you
      There's nothing like you and I baby
      This is no ordinary love
      No ordinary Love
      This is no ordinary love
      No ordinary Love
      When you came my way
      You brightened every day
      With your sweet smile
      Didn't I tell you
      What I believe
      Did somebody say that
      A love like that won't last
      Didn't I give you
      All that I've got to give baby
      This is no ordinary love
      No ordinary Love
      This is no ordinary love
      No ordinary Love
      I keep crying
      I keep trying for you
      There's nothing like you and I baby
      This is no ordinary love
      No ordinary Love
      This is no ordinary love
      No ordinary Love
      Keep trying for you
      Keep crying for you
      Keep flying for you
      Keep flying I'm falling
      I'm falling
      Keep trying for you
      Keep crying for you
      Keep flying for you
      Keep flying for you I'm falling
      I'm falling

    9. Haunt Me

      Haunt me
      In my dreams
      If you please
      You're breath is with me now and always
      It's like a breeze
      So should you ever doubt me
      If it's help that you need
      Never dare to doubt me
      And if you want to sleep
      I'll be quiet
      Like an angel
      As quiet as your soul could be
      If you only knew
      You had a friend like me
      So should you ever doubt me
      If it's help that you need
      Never dare to doubt me

    10. I Will Be Your Friend

      I know that lately
      Things haven't been so good
      I always said
      If I could ever help you I would
      Ooh ooh ooh, Ooh ooh ooh, I love you
      For a thousand years
      Ooh ooh ooh, Ooh ooh ooh, I'm here
      To wipe away the tears
      I will be your friend till the end of time
      I will be your friend I'm here to make you smile
      When your fallin apart
      I pick up each piece
      Build a wall around your dreams
      The punches to your heart
      Melt away when you never thought they'd heal
      So trust in me
      These are the words I tattoo on you
      If hercules can pick you up
      I will I really am true
      I will be your friend untill the end of time
      I will be your friend I'm here to make you smile
      Ooh ooh ooh, Ooh ooh ooh, I love you
      For a thousand years
      Ooh ooh ooh, Ooh ooh ooh, I'm here
      To wipe away the tears
      You've got so much to give
      I'll tell you just when you need to know
      Get out and live
      Pick you up when you're feeling low
      So here's my hand
      Trust in me I really am true
      You've got to understand
      There's nothing
      I wouldn't do
      I will be your friend untill the end of time
      I will be your friend I'm here to make you smile
      I will be your friend untill the end of time
      I will be your friend I'm here to make you smile
      You've got so much to give
      Ooh Ooh ooh Ooh
      Get out and live
      Ooh Ooh Ooh Ooh
      I will be your friend untill the end of time
      I will be your friend I'm here to make you smile
      The Punches to your heart
      When your falling apart..

    11. The Sweetest Taboo

      If I tell you
      If I tell you now
      Will you keep on
      Will you keep on loving me
      If I tell you
      If I tell you how I feel
      Will you keep bringing out the best in me
      You give me, you give me the sweetest taboo
      You give me, you're giving me the sweetest taboo
      Too good for me
      There's a quiet storm
      And it never felt like this before
      There's a quiet storm
      That is you
      There's a quiet storm
      And it never felt this hot before
      Giving me something that's taboo
      ( Sometimes I think you're just too good for me )
      You give me the sweetest taboo
      That's why I'm in love with you
      You give me the sweetest taboo
      Sometimes I think you're just too good for me
      I'd do anything for you, I'd stand out in the rain
      Anything you want me to do, don't let it slip away
      There's a quiet storm
      And it never felt like this before
      There'a a quiet storm
      I think it's you
      There'a a quiet storm
      And I never felt this hot before
      Giving me something that's taboo
      You give me the sweetest taboo
      That's why I'm in love with you
      You give me, you're giving me the sweetest taboo
      Too good for me
      You've got the biggest heart
      Sometimes I think you're just too good for me
      Every day is Christmas, and every night is new years eve
      Will you keep on loving me
      Will you keep on, will you keep on
      Bringing out the best in me

    12. Feel No Pain

      Mamma been laid off
      Pappa been laid off
      My brother's been laid off
      For more than two years now
      Ooh can't get a job
      Billy can't get a job
      Ooh they gotta listen to the blues
      Help them to strive
      Help them to move on
      Help them to have some future
      Help them to live long
      Help them to live life
      Help them to smile
      Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues
      Pappa been laid off
      Mamma been laid off
      Billy can't get a job
      For too long too long
      Don't let them lose
      We gotta give them a chance
      It's gonna come back on everyone
      If you don't make them dance
      Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues
      There's nothing sacred (why why why))
      breathing hatred
      We have to face it (why why why)
      No one can take it
      And feel no pain
      Mamma been laid off
      Pappa been laid off
      My brother's been laid off
      For more than two years now
      Ooh can't get a job
      Billy can't get a job
      Ooh they gotta listen to the blues
      Help them to strive
      Help them to move on
      Help them to have some future
      Help them to live long
      Help them to live life
      Help them to smile
      Don't let them stay home and listen to the blues
      One day we're gonna wake up
      And the ghetto's all around
      All over my friend
      Have you ever seen a man break down
      Do you know how that feels
      To walk the streets with your head held high
      Why, why, why
      Oh Lord, have mercy
      Did you ever see a man break down
      There's nothing sacred
      Breathing hatred
      We have to face it
      No one can take it (how can they take that much)
      And feel no pain
      Ooh did you ever see a man break down

    13. Turn My Back On You

      To turn my back on you
      Now would I turn my back on me
      To turn my back on you
      Now would I turn my back on me
      No (don't say) I'm not gonna turn my back on you
      You know I'll never let you down (ah ha)
      No way
      I'll never let you down
      I'll never let you down, no way
      Try to tell you that it's alright
      Ooo I'm not playingYou are my religion
      To turn my back on you
      Now would I turn my back on me
      To turn my back on you
      Now would I turn my back on me
      No (don't say) I'm not gonna turn my back on you
      You know I'll never let you down (ah ha)
      No way
      I'll never let you down
      I'll never let you down, no way
      Try to tell you that it's alright
      Ooo I'm not playingYou are my religion
      To turn my back on you
      Now would I turn my back on me
      To turn my back on you
      Now would I turn my back on me

    14. Fear

      Blue is the color of the red sky
      Will he, will he come home tonite
      Blue is the color that she feels inside
      Matador, I can't hide my fear anymore
      Azul es el color del rojo cielo
      volvera volvera a mi esta noche
      Azul es el color que siente a dentro
      matador no puedo esconder mi temor
      Can she tame the beast that is her fear
      puede domar la fiera que es su temor
      Waiting for her matador
      Will they bring the bad news
      Blue is the color that she feels inside
      Matador I can't hide my fear anymore
      Azul es el color del rojo cielo
      volvera, volvera a mi esta noche
      Azul es el color que siente a dentro
      Matador no puedo esconder mi temor