The Old Girl at Bar: A Very Class Act

then, now and forever:

Born:
Helen Folasade Adu
1959 Nigeria - raised in London

Simply known as Sade

I have been a fan since 1984 - the start time I heard Smooth Operator. I didn't acknowledge what that call was nearly at the clock but I was truly mesmerized by her smooth, slightly raspyvoice, jazzy sound and her beautiful red lips.



She wasn't Madonna or Cyndi Lauper - she was sleek, exotic, fashionable and seductive. I wanted to be her. Plus she had black hair and features - something attainable for a 9 yr. old girl at the time that was exploited to seeing blond haired singers and actresses most of the time.

I would wish to part my top 5 favorite Sade videos. This is also how I learned around the director Sophie Mullens. Ms. Mullens directed most of Sade's videos and I feel them stylish- like I'm watching a fashion editorial come to life.

This was a really hard choice because I know them all. In fact, 15 yrs ago I owned a compendium of her videos on VHS - yes, I am OLD. I would bring this video while I cleaned the house, was in a bad mood or I only wanted to see some of my favorite videos, this would do the trick.

Watching these videos/hearing these songs also cures my "Slip OF THE MONDAYS!"

Again, this was but a hard choice because I know pretty much every video she'sever done- I merely wanted to have a procession of her looks. She is classical in every sensation of the word.

When Am I Going to Have a Living:



Sweetest Taboo:

Nothing Can Do Between Us:

King of Sorrow:

(this strain is so depressing and beautiful at the same time)

Babyfather:

(only Sade can make Jello making look so appealing)

Two other mentionable shout-outs:

The strain that made me a fan - Smooth Operator, Live '93

and the call that ever makes me conceive of my boo:

I'm always on the threshold of weeping when I see this song.

That's what I know about Sade - she's so personal. When she sings you feellike she's singing just to you - she finds exactly what you feel and vice versa. That is also how she performs. I have been lucky enough to see her perform live twice in 1993 and 2001 - she doesn't do very much. Shoot, she's only recorded 6 albums in her 27 yr. career. When she performs it is such an intimate experience - it could be at an ampitheater but she makes it look like a small jazz club in an alley in the most metropolitan city.

I will ever know and admire her, despite herDUI wrap sheets. She'll always be in my heart, look my pain anddescribe exactly the way I feel about my husband when I justdon't know what to say.

She's also one of theSexiest women in the world! She's the top of my "girl-crush" list followed by Christy Turlington and then Penelope Cruz.

Yes there was a sentence I rocked a glossy back ponytail (to read off my big forehead), gold hoops and bold red lips. It is one of my favorite looks - personally.

#65279;
(Personally one of the best backing bands - they helped create her sound)#65279;

Seriously, I would know to feel like this now at 36. Well hopefully, I'll be half way there when I'm 51.

I am planning to see her experience in Oakland, CA this August w/John Legend. It should be an amazing show - I probably should stop obsessing over new lipsticks for a few months so I can get the Baller seats in the front!