Sade was formed in 1982, when members of Latin soul band Pride — Sade Adu, (real name Helen Folasade Adu - born 16 January 1959 in Ibadan, Nigeria) Stuart Matthewman and Paul Spencer Denman — together with Paul Cook formed a splinter group and began to write their own material. Sade made their debut in December 1982 at Ronnie Scott's Club in London, England, in support of Pride. Later, in 1983, Andrew Hale joined Sade. In 1984 Paul Cook left the band.
Sade Adu, the band's singer, is the daughter of a Nigerian father and an English mother. After her mother returned to England, Sade grew up on the North End of London. Developing a good singing voice in her teens, Sade worked part-time jobs in and outside of the music business. She listened to Ray Charles, Nina Simone, Al Green, Aretha Franklin, and Billie Holliday. Sade studied fashion design at St. Martin’s School of Art in London while also doing some modeling on the side.
Around 1980, Adu started singing harmony with a Latin funk group called Arriva. One of the more popular numbers that the group would perform was a Sade original co-written with bandmember Ray St. John, “Smooth Operator,” that would later become Sade’s first stateside hit. The following year Adu joined the eight-piece funk band Pride as a background singer. The band included future Sade band members guitarist/saxophonist Stuart Matthewman (a key player in ’90s urban soul singer Maxwell’s success) and bassist Paul Denman. The concept of the group was that there could shoot-offs. In essence, a few members within the main group Pride formed mini-groups that would be the opening act. Pride did a lot of shows around London, stirring up record company interest. Initially, the labels wanted to only sign Adu, while the group members wanted a deal for the whole band. After a year, the other band members told Adu, Matthewman, and Denman to go ahead and sign a deal. Adding keyboardist Andrew Hale, the group signed to the U.K. division of Epic Records.
In May 1983, Sade performed at Danceteria Club in New York, NY, United States. It was the first US Sade show. They received more attention from the media and record companies and separated finally. On 18 October 1983 Sade Adu signed with Epic Records. The rest of the band signed in 1984. All Sade albums were released through this label.
Their debut album, Diamond Life (with overall production by Robin Millar), went Top Ten in the U.K. in late 1984. January 1985 saw the album released on CBS’ Portrait label and by spring it went platinum off the strength of the Top Ten singles “Smooth Operator” and “Hang on to Your Love.” The second album, Promise (November 1985), featured “Never As Good As the First Time” and arguably her signature song, “The Sweetest Taboo,” which stayed on the U.S. pop charts for six months. Sade was so popular that some radio stations reinstated the ’70s practice of playing album tracks, adding “Is It a Crime” and “Tar Baby” to their play lists. In 1986, Sade won a Grammy for Best New Artist.
Sade’s third album was 1988’s Stronger Than Pride and featured their first number one soul single “Paradise,” “Nothing Can Come Between Us,” and “Keep Looking.” A new Sade album didn’t appear for four years. 1992’s Love Deluxe continued the unbroken streak of multi-platinum Sade albums, spinning off the hits “No Ordinary Love,” “Feel No Pain,” and “Pearls.” While the album’s producer Mike Pela, Matthewman, Denman, and Hale have gone on to other projects, the new millennium did spark a new scene for Sade. She issued Lovers Rock in fall 2000 and incoporated more mainstream elements than ever before. Debut single “By Your Side” was also a hit among radio and adult-contemporary listerners. The following summer, Sade embarked on their first tour in more than a decade, selling out countless dates across America. In early 2002, Sade celebrated their success of the tour by releasing their first ever live album and DVD, Lovers Live.
Sade made a great contribution to development of modern music. They dismantled many of the old music business ways and quite promptly became a fully functioning autonomous unit with a firm grip on every aspect of the recording process.
Sade is first and foremost a live act. Sade Adu said in one of her interviews: "When we play I know that the people love the music. I can feel it." Throughout their history, Sade have always attracted a diverse, multi-racial audience who are drawn by the band's open-minded approach to music. "And that's the best thing we've achieved."
Soldier of Love, Sade's first official studio album since the multi-platinum release of Lovers Rock in 2000, was released on 8th February, 2010.
Discography:
Studioalbums:
1984 - Diamond Life
1985 - Promise
1988 - Stronger Than Pride
1992 - Love Deluxe
2000 - Lovers Rock
2010 - Soldier of Love
Livealbums:
2002 - Lovers Live
2012 - Bring Me Home - Live 2011
Compilations:
1994 - The Best Of Sade
2011 - The Ultimate Collection
Slave Song
Sade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I turned to look once more
And he who knows me not
Takes me to the belly of darkness
The tears run swift and hard
And when they fall
Even, even the comfort of a stone
There was a time when I thought
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am
And I'll try to do the best I can
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
I pray to the almighty
Let me not to him do
As he has unto me
Teach my beloved children
Who have been enslaved
To reach for the light continually
So many times I prayed
So many times I've prayed for you
Prayed for you
The tears run swift and hard and cold as pain
Even, even the comfort of a stone would be a gain
Had I not had the strength and wisdom of a warrior
I would have to give up
But I'm thankful that I'm
Strong as I am
And I'll try to do the best I can
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it's swift
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
I pray to the almighty
Let us not do as he has unto us
Teach my beloved children I've been a slave
But reach for the light continually
Wisdom is the flame
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Who will carry us into the sun
I pray that it's swift though
Tears will come that fall like rain
So many times
So many times
The lyrics to Sade's "Slave Song" depict the hardships and struggles of those who were enslaved and taken to the shores of a foreign land. The singer describes seeing fellow slaves gathered on the shore, and feeling helpless as someone who does not know her takes her into the depths of darkness. The tears that come are swift and hard, with even the comfort of a stone being a gain. There is a feeling of resignation at the beginning, with the singer feeling like they may have to give up, but then goes on to express gratitude for being strong enough to continue fighting.
Throughout the song, the singer beseeches a higher power to help them and their children who have been enslaved. They pray to not be treated as they have been treated and ask for wisdom and strength to continue reaching for the light. The repeated reference to tears falling like rain emphasizes the emotional toll that slavery can take and the hope that there will be a swift end to the suffering.
Overall, "Slave Song" is a powerful and emotional piece that aims to give a voice to those who were forced into slavery and to express the pain and longing for freedom that they experienced.
Line by Line Meaning
I see them gathered, see them on the shore
I witness a gathering of people on the shore
I turned to look once more
I took one last glance before leaving
And he who knows me not
A stranger who is not familiar with me
Takes me to the belly of darkness
Leads me to a place of despair and hopelessness
The tears run swift and hard
My tears flow rapidly and abundantly
And when they fall
As they are shed
Even, even the comfort of a stone
Even something as unfeeling as a rock
Would be a gain
Would provide some relief
There was a time when I thought
I once believed
I would have to give up
That I would surrender or quit
But I'm thankful that I'm
However, I am grateful that I am
Strong as I am
Strong enough to persevere
And I'll try to do the best I can
I will do my utmost to succeed
Tears will run swift
Tears will flow rapidly
And tears will come that fall like rain
And there will be tears that are sorrowful and numerous
I pray that it's swift
I hope that the suffering is brief
Though tears will fall as cold as pain
Despite tears being as numbing as affliction
I pray to the almighty
I implore the divine being
Let me not to him do
Prevent me from inflicting the same harm
As he has unto me
That has happened to me
Teach my beloved children
Instruct my dear offspring
Who have been enslaved
Those who have suffered bondage
To reach for the light continually
To always strive towards enlightenment and liberation
Wisdom is the flame
Knowledge is the illuminating source
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Understanding is the courageous guardian
Who will carry us into the sun
Who will lead us into a place of hope and freedom
So many times I prayed
Numerous times have I implored
So many times I've prayed for you
So many times have I begged on your behalf
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Paul Denman, Stuart Matthewman, Helen Adu, Andrew Hale
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Henrique Ramos
SLAVE SONG
[Verse 1]
I see them gathered, see them on the shore
I turned to look once more
And he who knows me not
Takes me to the belly of darkness
[Bridge]
The tears run swift and hard
And when they fall
Even, even the comfort of a stone
Would be a gain
There was a time when I thought
I would have to give up
But I´m thankful that I´m
Strong as I am and I´ll
Try to do the best I can
[Pre-Chorus]
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it´s swift though
Tears will fall as cold as pain
[Chorus]
I pray to the almighty
Let me not to him do
As he has unto me
Teach my beloved children
Who have been enslaved
To reach for the light continually
[Verse 2]
So many times I prayed
So many times I´ve prayed for you
Prayed for you
[Bridge]
The tears run swift and
Hard and cold as pain
Even, even the comfort of a stone would be a gain
Had I not had the strength and wisdom of a warrior
I would have to give up
But I´m thankful that I´m
Strong as I am and I´ll
Try to do the best I can
[Pre Chorus]
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it´s swift though
Tears will fall as cold as pain
[Chorus]
I pray to the almighty
Let us not do as he has unto us
Teach my beloved children I´ve been a slave
But reach for the light continually
[Outro]
Wisdom is the flame
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Who will carry us into the sun
I pray that it´s swift though
Tears will come that fall like rain
So many times, so many times
Produced By Sade & Mike Pela
Written By Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Paul Spencer Denman & Stuart Matthewman
Diego G
Another underrated masterpiece, brilliant percussion and vocals ofc
Sergio Vázquez
One of my favorite songs from Sade . So underrated
Henrique Ramos
SLAVE SONG
[Verse 1]
I see them gathered, see them on the shore
I turned to look once more
And he who knows me not
Takes me to the belly of darkness
[Bridge]
The tears run swift and hard
And when they fall
Even, even the comfort of a stone
Would be a gain
There was a time when I thought
I would have to give up
But I´m thankful that I´m
Strong as I am and I´ll
Try to do the best I can
[Pre-Chorus]
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it´s swift though
Tears will fall as cold as pain
[Chorus]
I pray to the almighty
Let me not to him do
As he has unto me
Teach my beloved children
Who have been enslaved
To reach for the light continually
[Verse 2]
So many times I prayed
So many times I´ve prayed for you
Prayed for you
[Bridge]
The tears run swift and
Hard and cold as pain
Even, even the comfort of a stone would be a gain
Had I not had the strength and wisdom of a warrior
I would have to give up
But I´m thankful that I´m
Strong as I am and I´ll
Try to do the best I can
[Pre Chorus]
Tears will run swift
And tears will come that fall like rain
I pray that it´s swift though
Tears will fall as cold as pain
[Chorus]
I pray to the almighty
Let us not do as he has unto us
Teach my beloved children I´ve been a slave
But reach for the light continually
[Outro]
Wisdom is the flame
Wisdom is the brave warrior
Who will carry us into the sun
I pray that it´s swift though
Tears will come that fall like rain
So many times, so many times
Produced By Sade & Mike Pela
Written By Sade Adu, Andrew Hale, Paul Spencer Denman & Stuart Matthewman
DocM
This is so POWERFUL!!💯💯 You're music is truly touching and left a positive impact on the universe!
Brady Morgan
Love all her music she is simply awesome love you forever.
RED FOX
This help me get through my darkest tribulation ❤️
Self Compassion
Always gives me goosebumps
Melusi Charles Dlamini
A very spiritual song.. Slave song..It so dark and deep
Jwcy-valk
@Iron deficiency76 MY MOM!
Iron deficiency76
You know what else is dark and deep