Photo: Julio Lopes, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Our Sade Albums Ranked list looks back at the wonderful catalog of Sade albums that have been released over the past thirty five years. There are many people who probably don’t realize that Sade is the name of an actual band. That confusion stems from the fact that the band’s lead singer is named Sade Adu. Combined with the fact that all the album covers only featured Sade and of course she was the main attraction in the band’s videos as the lead singer, not many realised that the name Sade referred to the band’s name. That band includes Sade Adu on lead vocals. Paul S. Denman on bass, Andrew Hale on keyboards, and Stuart Matthewman on guitar and saxophone.
The band Sade broke out big time in 1984 with their debut album entitled Diamond Life. With Sade’s silky smooth vocals that were unlike anything else on the radio at the time, the album’s debut single “Smooth Operator,” dominated the charts. The band would continued to release albums on a pretty steady basis through the 1980s. Their second album entitled Promise was released a year later in 1985. It would be three years before their third album came out in 1988 entitled Stronger Than Pride . Four more years would pass until the release of the fourth Sade album called Love Deluxe which was released in 1992.
The band would go on a very long hiatus after the release of their fourth album in 1992. It would be almost a decade as eight years passed before their returned in 2000 with their fifth album called Lovers Rock. Once again, Sade would disappear, this time for a full decade as it wouldn’t be until 2010 when they released their most recent album Soldier of Love. There have been rumours that a new album is in the works but as it has already been eleven years since the release of their last album, the gap between Soldier of Love and their new one will stand as the longest ever between Sade albums.
For a band that has been around for over thirty five years, they have not released that many albums. Yet, the ones they have released are pure gems. Here is complete list of all their albums as we rank them in order of our favorites.
# 6 – Lovers Rock
We open up our top 10 Sade Albums Ranked List with the album entitled Lovers Rock.This was probably their least liked record. Nonetheless, it’s still a pure joy to listen too. The album was released in 200o. The album hit number three on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts. The album also appeared on the United Kingdom Official Albums Charts reaching the number eighteen position. It charted the highest in Sweden where it hit number two.
CD Track Listing
By Your Side
Flow
King of Sorrow
Somebody Already Broke My Heart”
All About Our Love
Slave Song
The Sweetest Gift
Every Word
Immigrant
Lovers Rock
# 5 – Soldier of Love
At number five on our top 10 Sade Albums Ranked List is the album entitled Soldier of Love. The album was released in 2010. Fans went nuts over this one as it had been ten years since the group had released an album. They showed their appreciation for the record by sending it to number one in multiple countries around the world. The album hit number one on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts. The album also hit number one in Canada, France, Sweden and Switzerland. After 35 years the same four members who had released their debut album in 1984 were still together for this one.
CD Track Listing
The Moon and the Sky
Soldier of Love
Morning Bird”
Babyfather
Long Hard Road
Be That Easy
Bring Me Home
In Another Time
Skin
The Safest Place
# 4 – Stronger Than Pride
At the number four spot on our top 10 Sade Albums Ranked List we present the album entitled Stronger Than Pride. The album was released in 1988. The album hit number seven on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts. Stronger Than Pride also appeared on the United Kingdom Official Albums Charts reaching the number three position. The album also broke onto the US Billboard Top R&B Albums Charts peaking at three.
Side One:
Love Is Stronger Than Pride
Paradise
Nothing Can Come Between Us
Haunt Me
Turn My Back on You”
Side Two:
Keep Looking
Clean Heart
Give It Up
I Never Thought I’d See the Day
Siempre Hay Esperanza
# 3 – Love Deluxe
Just of the top spot on our top 10 Sade Albums Ranked List we showcase the album entitled Love Deluxe. The album was released in 1992. The album hit number three on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts. The album Love Deluxe also broke onto the US Billboard Top R&B Albums Charts peaking at number two. Love Deluxe also entered the United Kingdom Official Albums Charts reaching the number ten position.
Side One:
No Ordinary Love
Feel No Pain
I Couldn’t Love You More
Like a Tattoo
Side Two:
Kiss of Life
Cherish the Day
Pearls
Bullet Proof Soul
Mermaid
# 2 – Promise
Moving along on our top 10 Sade Albums Ranked List we present the album entitled Promise. This would become the bands only album to hit number one on both the US Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts and the United Kingdom Official Albums Charts. Promise also hit number one in Switzerland and the Netherlands.The album also broke onto the US Billboard Top R&B Albums Charts peaking at number one. Many fans love this one the most. We just happened to like their debut just a touch more.
Side One:
Is It a Crime?
The Sweetest Taboo
War of the Hearts
You’re Not the Man
Jezebel
Side Two:
Mr Wrong
Punch Drunk
Never as Good as the First Time
Fear
Tar Baby
Maureen
# 1 – Diamond Life
We wrap up our top 10 Sade Albums Ranked List with the album entitled Diamond Life.This was the bands fantastic debut album. The album was released in 1994. The album number five on the US Billboard Top 200 Albums Charts.The album also appeared on the United Kingdom Official Albums Charts reaching the number two position. However the band would celebrate their first number album in Austria, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.
Side One:
Smooth Operator
Your Love Is King
Hang On to Your Love
Frankie’s First Affair
When Am I Going to Make a Living
Side Two:
Cherry Pie
Sally
I Will Be Your Friend
Why Can’t We Live Together
Sade Albums Ranked article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2021
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![Rob De Luca of Spread Eagle, Sebastian Bach & UFO: 10 Albums That Changed My Life From humble East Coast origins to grandest stages worldwide, veteran bassist Rob De Luca has seen and done it all. De Luca first hit the local Boston rock and metal scene in the late 80s after meeting guitarist Paul DiBartolo, bonding over Van Halen before forming Bang. Regional success came quickly, but eventually, the members of Bang went their separate ways, with De Luca and drummer Tommi Gallo heading to NYC and hooking up with Ray West and, later, DiBartolo to form Spread Eagle. By 1990, Spread Eagle was on the fast track, with a contract through MCA Records and a self-titled debut album poised to crush skulls. But poor timing and MCA's sad indifference left Spead Eagle out in the cold despite being a hard-boiled answer to Guns N' Roses's West Coast sleaze. Spread Eagle's first chapter came to an end in '95. As for Rob De Luca, his nimble fingers and gift for melody and songwriting kept him moving forward. Soon, he found a gig with former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach and the legendary outfit UFO. And in 2010, after coupling up with Ray West and his cousin Rik De Luca, Spread Eagle retook flight. During a break from Spread Eagle's increasingly busy touring schedule, Rob De Luca dialed in with ClassicRockHistory.com to run through the ten albums that changed his life. But only after adding, "I made a playlist of these songs, including some I've written or co-written. Do you hear any of these albums' influence on me?" Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3LWJuhDrE8JmzhsmTeIDUq 10) Gentlemen by Afghan Whigs (1993) Here's an entry that was so important to me. This may be the darkest break-up album of all time. Greg Dulli has been in many projects, but I feel Gentlemen is his zenith. Somewhat undefinable at times but always profound and honest. Listen to "Gentlemen," "Fountain and Fairfax," and "What Jail Is Like." 9) In on the Kill Taker by Fugazi (1993) By this time, I had been sucked in and spit out by the major-label record industry. Glam came and went; grunge was history, too. I was searching for new sounds. When I heard Fugazi's twin guitar approach, I knew this was what was missing. Fugazi may be considered a less polished sound than the albums above; however, once you "get it," it hits you like a ton of bricks, and there's no going back. From the moment I heard Fugazi, I went to every NYC show after. It's easily some of the best concerts of my life, and possibly my favorite bassist in Joe Lally. And their DIY ethics refused to charge us more than $5 a show! In on the Kill Taker is a powerful album demonstrated in songs such as "Smallpox Champion," "Great Cop," and "Public Witness Program." 8) Appetite for Destruction by Guns N' Roses (1987) I discovered many of these albums (sometimes long) after they were released. However, I was at the right place at the right time for this one. Steve Ostromogilsky had a Berklee College of Music lunch card and used to sneak out sandwiches for me. One day, he invited me to hang out at his place and listen to music. As we got off the train, he put Sony Walkman headphones on my ears and said, "Hey, check out this brand-new group." A song like "It's So Easy" was so different from the popular Sunset Strip sound at that time. Me and about 499 other informed rockers were lucky enough to see them on their first East Coast tour at the sold-out Paradise on Commonwealth Avenue, Boston (the same street Aerosmith started on). I saw Gn'R every tour after until I took a break when Buckethead joined. Gn'R is the band I've been lucky enough to see the most times live, almost 100! Everyone on this album is just stellar. Axl [Rose] had the tones, power, melodic sensibilities, and foresight to do what no other singer did then. Slash's playing was beyond memorable. Duff [McKagan] is one of the most underrated bassists in rock history, and learning his Appetite basslines is a masterclass. Steven [Adler] had the natural swing, and Izzy [Stradlin] was the secret weapon songwriter. Everything that's been heralded about this gem is deserved and true. Check out "It's So Easy," "Out Ta Get Me," and "Mr. Brownstone.' 7) Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (1975) Another contender for my favorite album and band of all time. Using The Beatles machine (same recording studio, engineer, record label), Pink Floyd made what I feel is their strongest, most cohesive album (my second favorite of theirs would be Animals). This list mainly consists of bands with an instantly recognizable sound. Floyd is certainly no exception to that! This album included a solid handful of undeniable rock radio classics, bookended by two halves of the mind-blowing song "Shine on You Crazy Diamond.' That song was written about former band member and founder Syd Barrett. It would be hard to live in a world without this album. Check out "Welcome to The Machine," "Shine on You Crazy Diamond (parts 6-9),' or even better yet, listen to the whole thing in one sitting! 6) Decade by Neil Young (1977) About this time, I started playing guitar. As a beginner, it was comfortable jamming to this album because the chord changes were simple—a great "first ten years" retrospective of Neil's stunning, unique songwriting. Neil is a treasure who always writes from the heart and stands up for what's right. Check out "Southern Man," "A Man Needs a Maid," "Down by The River," and "After the Goldrush." 5) Highway to Hell by AC/DC (1979) When I heard this album, I was firmly "me." My life would be 100% focused on hard rock music forever. AC/DC are like air; they're ubiquitous. Everyone knows them and their incredible songs. However, as a young teen in Wilmington, Delaware, I only had WMMR 93.3 FM Philadelphia and a few friends to inform me about the world of Rock outside my bedroom. AC/DC had not gone mainstream, and their albums were available primarily in the USA as imports. To put things more in perspective, I only knew two people in the world who had heard of AC/DC. A friend had an import that we played in Steve Buckley's basement, which sounded ripping. When Highway to Hell was released, WMMR started spinning the title track, and I immediately bought the album, listening to it every single day after school. Then WMMR announced AC/DC was coming to the Spectrum in Philly, supporting Ted Nugent! I liked Ted but loved AC/DC, so my good friend Mick Cummins and I bought tickets, and he drove us up to the Spectrum (where we saw most of our concerts). Bon Scott was in fine form, and the band went over great. Although the crowd knew Ted better, Angus [Young] wouldn't let anyone upstage him. I'll never forget it! Unfortunately, Bon would be gone in 6 months. Check out "Walk All Over You," "Touch Too Much," "Shot Down in Flames," and "If You Want Blood (You Got It)." 4) Toys in the Attic by Aerosmith (1975) By the time I heard this, I was now in my teens. I had a childhood friend up the street, Jim Linberg (we're still good buddies). His older sister had a great album collection, including Toys in The Attic. Once I heard that groove, my taste changed. I lost interest in rock music that didn't have some sort of "swing" feel to it. I think Rocks is a slightly better Aerosmith album (and possibly my favorite album of all time), but both are perfect or very close. Check out "Uncle Salty," "Adam's Apple," "No More No More," "Round and Round," and "You See Me Crying." 3) Alive! by Kiss (1975) When I was still a little kid, I asked for Cheech and Chong's Up in Smoke album for Christmas. The entire family came over for an enormous feast, and I dropped the needle. When my mother heard the content, she turned off the album and said I had to exchange it. My mom was cool, but I was young and knew much more about life than she suspected. Anyway, the next day, she drove me back to the store. In the music section, promoted on an "endcap" was a Kiss Alive! display. I had never heard of Kiss, but that cover picture told me I had to have it! My first foray into hard rock. Check out “Strutter.” I went through my Kiss phase very quickly, I believe in a matter of months because I discovered the previous entry, Aerosmith's Toys in the Attic. 2) Honky Chateau by Elton John (1972) When I was a wee lad, my parents bought a used Volkswagen camper van from my uncle Ozzie. My favorite Elton John album is Yellow Brick Road, but Honky Chateau is great and easily one of his best. It sent me down a lifelong rabbit hole of loving everything about the 1970s partnership between Elton and lyricist Bernie Taupin. The simple beauty of voice, the master songwriting, the perfect backing band, the clear, unobtrusive recordings, and always Bernie's incredible lyrics. The day this album was released, Elton became an unstoppable force that conquered the music industry. Check out "Mona Lisas and Mad Hatters" and "Rocket Man." 1) Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band by The Beatles (1967) Another tape that was included in the VW Camper. The van had a bunch of music tapes, and one was Sgt Pepper. I was too young to understand the sophistication of the music, but that was one of the many skills of The Beatles. They attracted listeners at every level, even little kids. I still feel that immediate connection to Sgt Pepper; now, I hear so much more. It's an album that changed the world and the world of music. Check out "Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds," "A Day In The Life," and "Fixing a Hole."](http://www.classicrockhistory.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Shutterstock_1815495569-1-300x200.jpg)
