Sade – Smooth Operator

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Genre:	Jazz
Style:	Smooth Jazz
Year:	1984

Tracklist

		Smooth Operator	5:25
		Red Eye	3:18
		Spirit	5:28

Credits (6)

Graham Smith (5)
Design [Sleeve Design]
Mike Pela
Engineer
TimTom*
Lacquer Cut By
TY*
Lacquer Cut By
Chris Roberts (10)
Photography By [Photo]
Robin Millar
Producer

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

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42 versions

Image	,	–			In Your Collection, Wantlist, or Inventory	Version Details	Data Quality
	Smooth Operator 12"	Epic – ES 12123	US	1984	US — 1984
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels	Epic – A4655	UK	1984	UK — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – ES 998	Australia	1984	Australia — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Stereo	Epic – TX4655	UK	1984	UK — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single, Stereo	Epic – EPCA 12.4655	Europe	1984	Europe — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo	Epic – EPCA 4655	Europe	1984	Europe — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 12"	Epic – 12・3P-581	Japan	1984	Japan — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Maxi-Single	Epic – EPC A 12.4655	Spain	1984	Spain — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", Single, 45 RPM	Epic – A 4655		1984	— 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Injection-Moulded Labels	Epic – A 4655	UK	1984	UK — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Limited Edition, Poster Sleeve	Epic – A 4655	UK	1984	UK — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – EPC A 4655	Spain	1984	Spain — 1984	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – EPCA 4655	Ireland	1984	Ireland — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 12", Promo	Epic – 12・3P-581	Japan	1984	Japan — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – ES 998	New Zealand	1984	New Zealand — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single Sided, Single, Promo	Epic – EPC 4655	Spain	1984	Spain — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – ES 12123	Australia	1984	Australia — 1984
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – EN 5722	South Africa	1984	South Africa — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels	Epic – A 4655	UK	1984	UK — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo	Epic – ES 998	Australia	1984	Australia — 1984
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Single	Epic – ES 12123	New Zealand	1984	New Zealand — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Promo	Epic – ES 12123	Australia	1984	Australia — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Stereo	Epic – XEN 5723	South Africa	1984	South Africa — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo	Epic – A4655	Portugal	1984	Portugal — 1984	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Promo, Pitman Pressing	Portrait – 37-04807	US	1985	US — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo	Portrait – AS 2013	US	1985	US — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Single, Stereo	Epic – 12EXP 7098	Canada	1985	Canada — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Stereo	Epic – EPC A 4655	Italy	1985	Italy — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Pitman Pressing	Portrait – 37-04807	US	1985	US — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo	Portrait – 37 04807	Canada	1985	Canada — 1985	New Submission
	スムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Promo, Stereo	Epic – 07・5P-355	Japan	1985	Japan — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo	Portrait – 37-04807	Philippines	1985	Philippines — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", Single	CBS – 7012933	Costa Rica	1985	Costa Rica — 1985
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Styrene, Carrollton Pressing	Portrait – 37-04807	US	1985	US — 1985	Recently Edited
	Smooth Operator 7", Single	Epic – 7223	Peru	1985	Peru — 1985	New Submission
	スムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo	Epic – 07・5P-355	Japan	1985	Japan — 1985	New Submission
	スムース・オペレーター = Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Stereo	Epic – 07･5P-355	Japan	1985	Japan — 1985	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo	Columbia – 04807-7	Jamaica	1985	Jamaica — 1985	New Submission
	Smooth Operator 12", 45 RPM, Reissue	Epic – EPC 663895 6	Europe	1992	Europe — 1992	New Submission
	Smooth Operator CD, Single, Reissue, Special Edition	Epic – EPC 668282 1		1999	— 1999	New Submission

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Reviews

undefinedamsterdam Jul 5, 2023
referencing Smooth Operator (12", White Label, Stickered) DJ 001

tech version is a banger of a track! Housy and a stompy bassline - hidden gem!
drbluzer May 18, 2023
referencing Smooth Operator (12") ES 12123

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 Oct 12, 2020
referencing Smooth Operator (CD, Single, Reissue, Special Edition) EPC 668282 1

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 Mar 22, 2020
referencing Smooth Operator (7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo) A4655

Hello,
Is it possible to send the 2 singles together for one shipping price ?
Thanks
Marc
dobbin_the_horse Oct 7, 2018
referencing Smooth Operator (7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels) A4655

Also a variant matrix on the a-side: "A 4655 A2"
1 Apr 22, 2018
referencing Smooth Operator (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo) AS 2013

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 Sep 12, 2016
referencing Smooth Operator (12", White Label, Stickered) DJ 001

The Album in the picture is not Sade but is Gerry King, just thought i would correct that, having received and confirmed it.
jondavey May 28, 2015
Edited 3 years ago

referencing Smooth Operator (7", 45 RPM, Single) EPC 4655

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 Feb 19, 2011
Edited 14 years ago

referencing Smooth Operator (12", 33 ⅓ RPM, Promo) AS 2013

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 Aug 9, 2010
referencing Smooth Operator (7", 45 RPM, Single, Paper Labels) A 4655

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