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
You're Not The Man
Sade Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've ever wanted
You're not the man
Who stepped inside my life
And haunted every, every day
You're not the one
Couldn't breathe
And could not sleep without me
That was someone who you left behind
A long time ago
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
You never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always be near
You're not the man
Who threw me a lifeline
And you're not the man
I am so proud to call mine
And you're not the one
Who said he'd never leave
The one who made me believe in me
That was someone who could do no wrong
And you lost him
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
But never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always, always, always be here
Said he'd always, always be near
But don't get me wrong
Although it seems sad
It's not all bad
You see
I'm not the little girl I used to be
You're not the man
Not the one
Said he'd always, always, always be near
He was everything, you see
He made me believe in me
Said he'd always, always, always be here
In Sade's song "You're Not The Man", the singer is addressing a former lover who, in her eyes, is not the man she loved and adored. She talks of someone else, a man who gave her everything she wanted, a man who haunted her every day with his presence, and a man who said he would never leave her side. However, this person is not the same person standing before her now. She speaks of how the man she loved would bleed for her, but this person before her has never shed a tear for her.
The singer talks of how the man she loved threw her a lifeline and was someone she was proud to call hers. He made her believe in herself, and she trusted him to always be there for her. However, the man standing in front of her is not him. She acknowledges that she's not the little girl she used to be, and although it may seem sad, it's not all bad. The singer has moved on and is no longer the person she was when she knew the man she loved.
In summary, the lyrics of "You're Not The Man" are about a woman addressing her ex-lover and letting him know that he is not the man she remembers. She talks about someone else entirely, someone who meant everything to her, and someone who she trusted to always be there for her.
Line by Line Meaning
You're not the man who gave me everything I've ever wanted
You didn't fulfill my every desire
You're not the man who stepped inside my life and haunted every, every day
You were not a constant presence in my life like he was
You're not the one who said he'd never leave, couldn't breathe, and could not sleep without me
He was truly in love with me whereas you are not
That was someone who you left behind a long time ago
You have changed a lot since then and are not the same person anymore
You're not the man who would bleed for me, you never shed a tear
He was willing to go to any extent to keep me happy and you are not that kind of man
You're not the one said he'd always be near
He promised to always be there for me and not you
You're not the man who threw me a lifeline
You were not there for me when I needed help
And you're not the man I am so proud to call mine
I am not proud of being with someone like you
That was someone who could do no wrong and you lost him
You made mistakes and lost the man who was perfect for me
But don't get me wrong although it seems sad it's not all bad you see
I may be upset but there are still positive things in my life
You're not the man, not the one said he'd always, always, always be near
You are not the one who promised to always be by my side
He was everything, you see he made me believe in me
He was my support system and made me feel confident in myself
Said he'd always, always, always be here
He made a promise to always be there for me and he kept it
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Helen Adu, Stuart Matthewman
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Nyc Nikz
You're not the man who gave me everything
I've ever wanted
You're not the man
Who stepped inside my life
And haunted every, every day
You're not the one
Who said he'd never leave
Couldn't breathe
And could not sleep without me
That was someone who you left behind
A long time ago
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
You never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always be near
You're not the man
Who threw me a lifeline
And you're not the man
I am so proud to call mine
And you're not the one
Who said he'd never leave
The one who made me believe in me
That was someone who could do no wrong
But you lost him
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
But never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always, always be near
But don't get me wrong
Although it seems sad
It's not all bad
You see
I'm not the little girl I used to be
You're not the man
Not the one
Who said he'd always, always, always be near
He was everything you see
He made me believe in me
Said he'd always, always, always be here
Delphine
You're not the man who gave me everything
I've ever wanted
You're not the man
Who stepped inside my life
And haunted every, every day
You're not the one
Who said he'd never leave
Couldn't breathe
And could not sleep without me
That was someone who you left behind
A long time ago
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
You never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always be near
You're not the man
Who threw me a lifeline
And you're not the man
I am so proud to call mine
And you're not the one
Who said he'd never leave
The one who made me believe in me
That was someone who could do no wrong
But you lost him
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
But never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always, always be near
But don't get me wrong
Although it seems sad
It's not all bad
You see
I'm not the little girl I used to be
You're not the man
Not the one
Who said he'd always, always, always be near
He was everything you see
He made me believe in me
Said he'd always, always, always be here
A.W.M forlife
"You're Not The Man"
You're not the man who gave me everything
I've ever wanted
You're not the man
Who stepped inside my life
And haunted every, every day
You're not the man
Who said he'd never leave
Couldn't breathe
And could not sleep without me
This was someone who you left behind
A long time ago
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
But never shed a tear
You're not the one
Said he'd always be near
You're not the man
Who threw me a lifeline
And you're not the man
I am so proud to call mine
And you're not the one
Who said he'd never leave
The one who made me believe in me
That was someone who could do no wrong
But you lost him
You're not the man
Who would bleed for me
But never shed a tear
You're not the one
Who said he'd always, always, always be here
said he'd always always be near
But don't get me wrong
Although it seems sad
It's not all bad
You see
I'm not the little girl I use to be
You're not the man
Not the one
Who said he'd always, always, always be near
He was everything you see
He made me believe in me
Said he'd alway always always be here
Clifford Daniel
SHES THE MOST IMPERFECT PERFECT ARTIST EVER. SHE MAKES YOU BELIEVE EVERY LYRIC IN EVERY SONG 🎼
MJWill1
huh????
richard samad
She makes me know my age and I am ok with that. Im glad, thrilled that she was part of my life - I was born in 1969. Howard University Radio, Suede Cole Haan Shoes, Wool Garbardine trousers cuffs inch and half. 1988-1992
OkU2
So true! She has a limited vocal range and depth (compared to singers like Whitney or Mariah) but, but, but Sade sings with integrity and feeling with her own lyrics, uses silences and pauses BETTER than any musical note! I have MUCH respect for her and her musicians. 🎼🎸🎹🎷🌷
E. Liepins
@OkU2great comment, thank you. Wanted to write that shes perfect perfect, but now i know.
Josh Portillo
Mine always in ur loving music she's perfect in every tone true vocal artist greater then my self I Josue portillo
Donald Cook
Sade in my opinion is the most incredible female artist of all time. She is amazing with a great band
Valerie Cheers Brown
Amen!
Lisa Gaona
G go 2 sleep papi..okay kisses
Sm
Rafael Camargo Urango
Sade is heaven to the ears. How I love her music, she is pure class and soul.