SADE - JEZEBEL

 JEZEBEL

SADE

SONGWRITER: GORDON MATTHEWMAN & SADE ADU

COUNTRY: U. K.

ALBUM: PROMISE

LABEL: EPIC RECORDS

GENRE: SOUL

YEAR: 1985

 

            Sade (/ʃɑːˈdeɪ/shah-DAY) are an English band, formed in London in 1982 and named after their lead singer, Sade Adu. Three of their members were originally from Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Their music features elements of soul, quiet storm, smooth jazz and sophisti-pop.

          The band's debut studio album, Diamond Life (1984), reached number two on the UK Album Chart, selling over 1.2 million copies and won the Brit Award for Best British Album in 1985. The album was also a hit internationally, reaching number one in several countries and the top ten in the United States, where it has sold four million copies to date. In late 1985, the band released their second studio effort Promise, which peaked at number one in both the United Kingdom and the US. It was certified double platinum in the UK and quadruple platinum in the US. In 1986 Sade won a Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Their fifth studio album, Lovers Rock (2000), won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album. Their sixth studio album, Soldier of Love (2010), peaked at number four in the UK and number one in the US. In 2011, the band won their fourth Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

             Sade's US certified sales so far stand at 23.5 million units according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and have sold more than 75 million records worldwide to date. The band were ranked at No. 50 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time"

               Promise is the second studio album by English band Sade. It was first released in the United Kingdom on 4 November 1985 by Epic Records and in the United States on 15 November 1985 by Portrait Records. Recording for the album began in February and lasted until August 1985. The band co-produced the album with the same team of producers they worked with on their debut album, Diamond Life, including Robin Millar, Mike Pela and Ben Rogan. The album's title comes from a letter from Adu's father where he refers to the "promise of hope" to recover from cancer.

          Upon release, Promise was met with acclaim from music critics. The album was a commercial success, peaking at number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200, becoming the band's first album to top both charts. It also reached number one in Finland, the Netherlands and Switzerland, and the top five in numerous countries including Canada, Germany and New Zealand. The album spawned three singles, including "The Sweetest Taboo", which became a success worldwide.

Jezebel wasn't born with a silver spoon in her mouth

She probably had less than every one of us

But when she knew how to walk she knew

How to bring the house down

Can't blame her for her beauty

She wins with her hands down

Jezebel, what a belle

Looks like a princess in her new dress

How did you get that

Do you really want to know, she said

It would seem she's on her way

It's more, more than just a dream

She put on her stockings and shoes

Had nothing to lose - she said it was worth it

Reach for the top

And the sun is gonna shine

Every winter was a war she said

I want to get what's mine

Jezebel Jezebel

Won't try to deny where she came from

You can see it in her pride

And the raven in her eyes

Try show her a better way

She'll say you don't know what you've been missing

And by the time she blinks you know she won't be listening

Reach for the top she said

And the sun is gonna shine

Every winter was a war she said

I want to get what's mine.