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Sade – Smooth Operator

Sade - Smooth Operator album cover

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Genre:Jazz
Style:Smooth Jazz
Year:

Tracklist

Smooth Operator5:25
Red Eye3:18
Spirit5:28

Credits (6)

Notes

Two different recordings exist of "Smooth Operator." The first was released on the 12" of Sade's first single "Your Love Is King" in Feb 1984, as a medley with the instrumental "Snake Bite". Six months later (8/84), "Smooth Operator" was released as an A-side but the recording is all new. Again, on 12" the track is a medley, but now with another instrumental, "Red Eye". The single and extended 'standalone' versions of "Smooth Operator" are shortened from this second medley.

A month before "Smooth Operator" single release, the track had already appeared on the "Diamond Life" album. There the most common version is yet another edit of the second recording. On the cassette versions with bonus tracks, however, the version is the first one (with "Snake Bite"). Some initial North American copies feature an edit of the first recording of "Smooth Operator."

The two versions can be told apart by saxophone appearing right before the first verse ("Diamond life, lover boy...") on the second version, whereas the first version has no saxophone there.

The track "Spirit" is exclusive to this single.

Versions

Filter by
    42 versions
    Image, – In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory
    		Version DetailsData Quality
    		Smooth Operator
    12"
    		Epic – ES 12123US1984US — 1984
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels
    		Epic – A 4655, Epic – A4655UK1984UK — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – ES 998Australia1984Australia — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984-08-28, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Stereo
    		Epic – TX 4655, Epic – TX4655UK1984UK — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo
    		Epic – EPCA 12.4655Europe1984Europe — 1984
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
    		Epic – A4655, Epic – EPCA 4655Europe1984Europe — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984-02-25, VinylSmooth Operator
    12"
    		Epic – 12・3P-581Japan1984Japan — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single
    		Epic – EPC A 12.4655Spain1984Spain — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", Single, 45 RPM
    		Epic – EPC A 4655, Epic – A 4655Germany1984Germany — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Injection-Moulded Labels
    		Epic – A 4655UK1984UK — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Poster Sleeve
    		Epic – A 4655, Epic – A 4655UK1984UK — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – EPC 4655, Epic – EPC A 4655Spain1984Spain — 1984
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – EPCA 4655Ireland1984Ireland — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", Promo
    		Epic – 12・3P-581Japan1984Japan — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – ES 998New Zealand1984New Zealand — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo
    		Epic – A 4655, Epic – EPC 4655Spain1984Spain — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – ES 12123Australia1984Australia — 1984
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – EN 5722South Africa1984South Africa — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels
    		Epic – A4655, Epic – A 4655UK1984UK — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo
    		Epic – ES 998Australia1984Australia — 1984
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Single
    		Epic – ES 12123New Zealand1984New Zealand — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Promo
    		Epic – ES 12123Australia1984Australia — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo
    		Epic – XEN 5723South Africa1984South Africa — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1984, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
    		Epic – EPC A 4655, Epic – A4655Portugal1984Portugal — 1984
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Pitman Pressing
    		Portrait – 37-04807US1985US — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo
    		Portrait – AS 2013US1985US — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo
    		Portrait – 12EXP-7098, Epic – 12EXP 7098Canada1985Canada — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Stereo
    		Epic – EPC A 4655Italy1985Italy — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Pitman Pressing
    		Portrait – 37-04807US1985US — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
    		Portrait – 37 04807Canada1985Canada — 1985
    New Submission
    Cover of スムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator, 1985-05-22, Vinylスムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo
    		Epic – 07・5P-355Japan1985Japan — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single
    		Portrait – POS-20501, Portrait – 37-04807Philippines1985Philippines — 1985
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", Single
    		CBS – 7012933Costa Rica1985Costa Rica — 1985
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985-02-00, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Carrollton Pressing
    		Portrait – 37-04807US1985US — 1985
    Recently Edited
    Cover of Smooth Operator , 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", Single
    		Epic – 7223Peru1985Peru — 1985
    New Submission
    Cover of スムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator, 1985-05-22, Vinylスムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
    		Epic – 07・5P-355Japan1985Japan — 1985
    New Submission
    Cover of スムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator, 1985-05-22, Vinylスムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Stereo
    		Epic – 07･5P-355Japan1985Japan — 1985
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1985, VinylSmooth Operator
    7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo
    		Columbia – 37-04807, Columbia – 04807-7Jamaica1985Jamaica — 1985
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1992, VinylSmooth Operator
    12", 45 RPM, Reissue
    		Epic – EPC 663895 6Europe1992Europe — 1992
    New Submission
    Cover of Smooth Operator, 1999, CDSmooth Operator
    CD, Single, Reissue, Special Edition
    		Epic – EPC 668282 1France1999France — 1999
    New Submission

    Recommendations

    Reviews

    • undefinedamsterdam's avatar
      undefinedamsterdam
      tech version is a banger of a track! Housy and a stompy bassline - hidden gem!
      • drbluzer's avatar
        drbluzer
        SMOOTH OPERATOR FROM A VELVETY SMOOTH VOICE ! This single was NOT PUT ON CD , unfortunately and features the instrumental "co-track" of "RED EYE" . Both "SMOOTH OPERATOR" and "RED EYE" can be heard on Youtube as these are both GREAT TUNES !!! I can't find these two songs together on any CD . If anyone knows where I can find this combination , please let me know !
        • FunkyBeak's avatar
          FunkyBeak
          In very high demand due to the inclusion of "Spirit", the original B-side of Smooth Operator. Other than this one CD, it's vinyl only.
          • moviestar1961's avatar
            moviestar1961
            Hello,
            Is it possible to send the 2 singles together for one shipping price ?
            Thanks
            Marc
            • dobbin_the_horse's avatar
              dobbin_the_horse
              Also a variant matrix on the a-side: "A 4655 A2"
              • 1's avatar
                1
                Pure Gold. Smooth in every sense & reflects the wine and dine culture of the 80's. Very similar structure and style that almost certainly inspired 'Sting's - Englishman in New York'.
                • Pixelgrip's avatar
                  Pixelgrip
                  The Album in the picture is not Sade but is Gerry King, just thought i would correct that, having received and confirmed it.
                  • jondavey's avatar
                    jondavey
                    Edited 3 years ago
                    Just a quick note. The best I've ever heard this track sound is on a mixtape from about 1997 of 80s tunes cut up and scratched together by DJ Spinbad. What he does with this record and some great breaks is something to behold.
                    • Daster-fr's avatar
                      Daster-fr
                      Edited 13 years ago
                      A1: fades out earlier than its European counter part (5:25)
                      A2: same mix as the 7" but heavily edited (cut and past type of edit)
                      B: same as the European 12" A-side, Smooth Operator (5:25) + Red Eye (3:18)
                      • Peter66's avatar
                        Peter66
                        Can anyone help me? I have the Portrait Canadian Pressing of Sade's Diamond Life LP on vinyl. Recently, I had purchased the "remastered" CD of the same album. Strangely, the version/mix of "Smooth Operator" sounded very different. Initially, I thought it was my memory going, but I dug out and old cassette tape recorded from the original vinyl and played it. It was remarkably different!

                        The Canadian Portrait pressing had more saxophones (and maybe even more percussions) making the sound "jazzier". While the "remastered" CD version was a little "raw" to me. Even Sade's vocals were a little "distorted".

                        Does anyone know the difference between the two versions/mixes that I have?

                        Where can I get the "original" Portrait version on CD? Is there a remastered-copy?

                        Thanks in advance!

                        PETER

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                        • Ratings:810
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