Listen to Smooth Operator (Live) by Sade

Smooth Operator (Live)

Sade

R&B/Soul

24,484

Apple Music Note

OVERVIEW

LYRICS

Music Video

Sade - Smooth Operator (Live Video from San Diego)

Watch Sade - Smooth Operator (Live Video from San Diego) on YouTube

Upcoming Concerts for Sade

Oct
19
Oct 19, 2025
Historic BAL Theatre
San Leandro

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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS

Sade

Vocals

Leroy Osbourne

Vocals

Tony Morelle

Vocals

Stuart Matthewman

Stuart Matthewman

Guitar

Ryan Waters

Guitar

Paul Denman

Bass Guitar

Karl Van den Bossche

Karl Van den Bossche

Percussion

Pete Lewinson

Drums

Andrew Hale

Keyboards

COMPOSITION & LYRICS

Sade Adu

Songwriter

Raymond St. John

Raymond St. John

Songwriter

PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING

Eric Johnston

Assistant Engineer

Charlie Bouis

Recording Engineer

Mike Pela

Mixing Engineer

Lyrics

[Verse 1]

Diamond life

Lover boy

We move in space with minimum waste

And maximum joy

[Verse 2]

City lights

And business nights

When you require streetcar desire

For higher heights

[Verse 3]

No place for beginners or sensitive hearts

When sentiment is left to chance

No place to be ending but somewhere to start

[Verse 4]

No need to ask

He's a smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

[Verse 5]

Coast to coast

L.A. to Chicago

Western male

Across the north and south to Key Largo

Love for sale

[Verse 6]

Face to face

Each classic case

We shadowbox and double cross

Yet need the chase

[Verse 7]

A license to love

Insurance to hold

Melt all your memories

And change into gold

[Verse 8]

His eyes are like angels

But his heart is cold

[Verse 9]

No need to ask

He's a smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

[Verse 10]

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

[Verse 11]

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Smooth operator

Written by: Raymond St. John, Sade Adu

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