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

Zakk Wylde

Zakk WyldeSongwriter Interviews

When he was playing Ozzfest with Black Label Society, a kid told Zakk he was the best Ozzy guitarist - Zakk had to correct him.

Emmylou Harris

Emmylou HarrisSongwriter Interviews

She thinks of herself as a "song interpreter," but back in the '80s another country star convinced Emmylou to take a crack at songwriting.

Eagles Lyrics Quiz

Eagles Lyrics QuizMusic Quiz

Lots of life lessons in these Eagles lyrics - can you match them to the correct song?

Joe Elliott of Def Leppard

Joe Elliott of Def LeppardSongwriter Interviews

The Def Leppard frontman talks about their "lamentable" hit he never thought of as a single, and why he's juiced by his Mott The Hoople cover band.

Kiss

KissFact or Fiction

Kiss is the subject of many outlandish rumors - some of which happen to be true. See if you can spot the fakes.

Michael Franti

Michael FrantiSongwriter Interviews

Franti tells the story behind his hit "Say Hey (I Love You)" and explains why yoga is an integral part of his lifestyle and his Soulshine tour.