Sade – Smooth Operator – Official – 1984
Inspiration Behind Smooth Operator:
The goal for the musical construction of Smooth Operator contained 2 essential elements. First, create the ideal mix of jazz, soul and R & B. Second, to present a melody where a concise story could be told. Sade Adu and Raymond St. John co-wrote Smooth Operator while members of the band Pride. This song about a con man, able to persuade anyone in his spheres of influence put Sade on the map as an up-and-coming female artist.
Biblical Application:
Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts, they harbor deceit.
25 Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception, but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
27 Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them. 28 A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin, Proverbs 26:24-28.
Exegesis of Smooth Operator:
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
From afar, charm is one of those qualities that is easy to distinguish. Yet when you are the one being swayed by a smooth operator, you want to believe that this is genuine.
Diamond life, lover boy
We move in space with minimum waste and maximum joy
City lights and business nights
When you require streetcar desire for higher heights
This kind of smooth operator makes for a great character in a series like Castle or the Pierce Brosnan character in the Thomas Crown Affair. Not matter how much women are warned about their reputation, they fall in love anyone.
No place for beginners or sensitive hearts
When sentiment is left to chance
No place to be ending but somewhere to start
You have to be mature and disciplined to resist smooth operators.
No need to ask
He’s a smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Flattery is so difficult to resist.
Coast to coast, LA to Chicago, western male
Across the north and south, to Key Largo, love for sale
Smooth operators don’t stay in the same place long or else they will be exposed, constantly moving from one city to the next.
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
Smooth operators are like wolves in sheep clothing.
No need to ask
He’s a smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Just when common sense is telling you to leave, your emotions lead you to fall for their promises.
Coast to coast, LA 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
These smooth operators still exist today, often hiding behind the backdrop of large cities.
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Smooth operator
Like any temptation, leave before it’s too late.
Final Thoughts:
Since I could barely speak as a former stutterer, I was never a smooth operator. Yet when fame, fortune or success comes your way, make sure that you stay grounded in humility. Or else you’ll get carried away with flattery, and perhaps start following the path of a smooth operator.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 