What is the best Sade song of all time?

Silky ballads and slow-burning confessions sit alongside unexpected rhythmic turns and introspective masterworks — the range here is wider than most fans expect. Where do you stand?

1

Smooth Operator

Sade's iconic 1984 debut hit from Diamond Life featuring a silky saxophone melody and her trademark velvet vocals.

2

No Ordinary Love

A hauntingly beautiful 1992 ballad from Love Deluxe that became one of Sade's most celebrated and emotionally resonant songs.

3

The Sweetest Taboo

A 1985 international hit from the Promise album capturing the intoxicating feeling of forbidden love with a gentle groove.

4

By Your Side

The lead single from 2000's Lovers Rock that became a modern classic and was voted one of VH1's greatest love songs.

5

Cherish the Day

A mesmerizing 1992 track from Love Deluxe featuring a Spanish guitar intro and lush trip-hop production.

6

Your Love Is King

Sade's 1984 debut single from Diamond Life blending jazz, soul, and pop into a timeless romantic declaration.

7

Is It A Crime

A melancholic slow-burn from the 1985 Promise album showcasing Sade's ability to convey deep longing and loss.

8

Hang On To Your Love

A 1984 catchy groove from Diamond Life featuring one of Sade's most upbeat hooks and silky production.

9

King of Sorrow

A deeply emotional 2000 track from Lovers Rock considered one of her most personal and affecting compositions.

10

Jezebel

A standout track from 1985's Promise blending theatrical storytelling with Sade's cool, restrained vocal style.

11

Love Is Stronger Than Pride

A 1988 philosophical reflection on heartbreak from Stronger Than Pride, demonstrating Sade's emotional depth.

12

Bullet Proof Soul

A 1992 powerful opener to Love Deluxe combining Sade's jazz roots with a cinematic, sweeping production.

13

Nothing Can Come Between Us

A 1988 bright and uplifting track from Stronger Than Pride offering a rare optimistic tone in Sade's catalog.

14

Soldier of Love

Sade's 2010 comeback single and title track — a dramatic, orchestral departure from her signature sound.

15

Pearls

A 1992 sparse, haunting ballad from Love Deluxe dedicated to the suffering of Ethiopian women during famine.