Smooth Operator Lyrics

[Intro]
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


[Verse 1]
Diamond life lover boy
He moves in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
City lights and business nights
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights

[Pre-Chorus]
No place for beginners or sensitive hearts
The sentiment is left to chance
No place to be ending but somewhere to start

[Chorus]
No need to ask, he's a smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
[Post-Chorus]
Coast-to-coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
Across the North and South, to Key Largo, love for sale

[Verse 2]
Face-to-face, each classic case
We shadowbox and double-cross
Yet need the chase


[Pre-Chorus]
A license to love, insurance to hold
Melts all your memories and change into gold
His eyes are like angels; his heart is cold


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

[Post-Chorus]
Coast-to-coast, L.A. to Chicago, western male
Across the North and South, to Key Largo, love for sale

[Outro]
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator

How to Format Lyrics:

  • Type out all lyrics, even repeating song parts like the chorus
  • Lyrics should be broken down into individual lines
  • Use section headers above different song parts like [Verse], [Chorus], etc.
  • Use italics (<i>lyric</i>) and bold (<b>lyric</b>) to distinguish between different vocalists in the same song part
  • If you don’t understand a lyric, use [?]

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About

Genius Annotation

“Smooth Operator” was the third single from Sade’s blockbuster debut album Diamond Life, which takes its title from the first line of this song. The single reached #5 on the US Billboard 100 charts, and #19 on the UK Singles Chart.

The song is about a dominant, alpha-male lover who is no good for her, but still irresistible. The song’s lyrics and title would be referenced regularly by hip-hop artists, including Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Snoop Dogg.

Though the singles for the song list Sade Adu, Stuart Matthewman and Raymond St. John as the writers, PRS credits only list Sade and Raymond St. John. Supposedly, the two wrote the song in 1982 with members of Sade’s previous band, Pride. They didn’t record it then because St. John left Pride shortly after Sade joined.

Q&A

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

What did Sade say about "Smooth Operator"?
Genius Answer

It’s strange, but in a way, every artist needs a song that helps them break through, and [“Smooth Operator”] was our song. I don’t think it’s typical of our work, but maybe without that huge sort of success — and that was very immediate, that song — we wouldn’t be in a position where we are now, just making the records we want to make.

—Sade Adu, via a 2000 interview for The Today Show

Credits
Produced By
Vocals
Phonographic Copyright ℗
Performance Rights
Keyboards
Engineer
Assistant Engineer
Recorded At
Power Plant Studios (Wilesden, London)
Release Date
September 15, 1984
Smooth Operator Live Performances
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