Smooth Operator
by Sade

Album: Diamond Life (1984)
Charted: 19 5
Play Video
  • He's laughing with another girl
    And playing with another heart
    Placing high stakes, making hearts ache
    He's loved in seven languages
    Diamond nights and ruby lights
    High in the sky
    Heaven help him when he falls

    Diamond life lover boy
    He move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
    City lights and business nights
    When you require streetcar desire for higher heights

    No place for beginners or sensitive hearts
    When sentiment is left to chance
    No place to be ending but somewhere to start

    No need to ask, he's a smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator

    Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago
    Western male
    Across the North and South, to Key Largo
    Love for sale

    Face-to-face, each classic case
    We shadow box and double cross
    Yet need the chase

    A license to love, insurance to hold
    Melts all your memories and change into gold
    His eyes are like angels but his heart is cold

    No need to ask, he's a smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator

    Coast to coast, L.A. to Chicago
    Western male
    Across the North and South, to Key Largo
    Love for sale

    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator
    Smooth operator Writer/s: Helen Adu, Ray St. John
    Publisher: O/B/O DistroKid, Peermusic Publishing, Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, TuneCore Inc.
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 12

  • Kaden Vanciel from Visalia, CaliforniaAny movies or tv shows this is in?
  • James from UtahThe man is an arms dealer. There's an 8 minute music video. It shows Sade and him in bed together. At the end of the song he blows her a goodbye kiss, she finds his guns, he strangles her, and ends with a rooftop chase.
  • Tshe could also be a agent thats collecting information
  • Allison Marie Thompson from PhoenixI think the whole song is verses in double and triple entendres, which many if not most, well written lyrics are... it's also talking about the business itself... the "women" represent the assets or shares, or investments. "A license to love, insurance to hold...." you need a license to operate a financial business for lending and maintain accounts that have interest rates (love is appreciation, a liscence to have the assets appreciate) and investment options. He will take all your money and does not care, all you savings and hard work and precious belingings will just melt into common currency for him...." sentiment left to chance"... what will happen is a gamble...THANK YOU Rec from Texas!!!
  • Kel from Australia Is the guy sitting with the Smooth Operator , Mr Michael Richards , Because it sure looks like him ?
  • Rec from TexasThis song is NOT about a giggalo, or a pimp, or a drug dealer, or player/womanizer. Listen to the lyrics. It's about a CON MAN!!!
  • James from AustraliaSade is georgeous.
    " Smooth Operator " is a song about a cold , calculating giggolo , praying on women who provide the money for his indulgent lifestyle.
  • Steven from Bayside NyWho was the Actor who played the Smooth Operator ?
  • David from Lawren, Ma---I LoVe HER, she is Mysteriously Beautiful!
  • Constance from Dallas, TxJoel this song is not about drugs. It is about a womanizer and possible giggolo. I love the jazzy smooth music to this song. Sade's voice is great and distinctive. Great song and very true. Men like this in the song do exist.
  • Ani from Yerevan, Armeniasade is gorgeous!!! i like her VERY VERY MUCH!!! and 'smooth operator' is one of the best songs of her:*)
  • Joel from Austin, TxThis song is about a drug dealer and pimp.
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gene Simmons of Kiss

Gene Simmons of KissSongwriter Interviews

The Kiss rocker covers a lot of ground in this interview, including why there are no Kiss collaborations, and why the Rock Hall has "become a sham."

Michael Schenker

Michael SchenkerSongwriter Interviews

The Scorpions and UFO guitarist is also a very prolific songwriter - he explains how he writes with his various groups, and why he was so keen to get out of Germany and into England.

Daniel Lanois

Daniel LanoisSongwriter Interviews

Daniel Lanois on his album Heavy Sun, and the inside stories of songs he produced for U2, Peter Gabriel, and Bob Dylan.

Spooner Oldham

Spooner OldhamSongwriter Interviews

His keyboard work helped define the Muscle Shoals sound and make him an integral part of many Neil Young recordings. Spooner is also an accomplished songwriter, whose hits include "I'm Your Puppet" and "Cry Like A Baby."

Songs Discussed in Movies

Songs Discussed in MoviesSong Writing

Bridesmaids, Reservoir Dogs, Willy Wonka - just a few of the flicks where characters discuss specific songs, sometimes as a prelude to murder.

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)

Max Cavalera of Soulfly (ex-Sepultura)Songwriter Interviews

The Brazilian rocker sees pictures in his riffs. When he came up with one of his gnarliest songs, there was a riot going on.