To Celebrate Sade Adu whose birthday is today. Happy Birthday BTW -, we have selected various bands or solo artists who have covered Sade’s most famous songs.
They are . Emmanuel Nwamadi, Ane Brun, Cleveland P. Jones, You+Me feat. Pink, Kelela, Melody Angel, Jason Mraz, Gabriela Richardson, Robert Glasper, Lalah Hathaway, Lauryn Hill, Nastachia, Corneille
Here, they are reunited in one glorious playlist. Enjoy!
Tracklist
1 . Emmanuel Nwamadi . Sweetest TabooEmmanuel Nwamadi brings his distinctive touch to Sade’s 1985 hit “The Sweetest Taboo,” a smooth jazz classic that remains an emblem of understated elegance. Originally featured on Sade’s album “Promise,” the song blends soft percussion, lush saxophone, and a lingering melodic hook, all wrapped in her signature velvety tone. Nwamadi’s performance during the Blind Auditions of “The Voice UK 2015” is a reinterpretation soaked in sincerity but stripped of the effortless polish that defines the original. Where Sade’s version feels like a late-night confession delivered with quiet confidence, Nwamadi’s take leans more into heartfelt vulnerability, tethered to his own distinct vocal depth. The backdrop of a reality competition show doesn’t escape notice—context matters, and the theatricality endemic to such stages inevitably shifts the song’s energy. Uploaded on SoundCloud in 2014, his version predated its television debut, suggesting a preexisting connection to the track rather than a calculated selection for mass appeal. What’s missing from Nwamadi’s cover is the simmering tension of the original—those subtle moments where restraint hints at something unspoken, a hallmark of Sade’s artistry. Instead, his version amplifies emotional earnestness, a move that might resonate with some but lacks the enigmatic allure that makes the original linger in memory. Sade’s presence looms large here; her work is both a template and a measuring stick for anyone who dares adapt it. Reaching for her level of emotive minimalism is its own kind of taboo, perhaps the sweetest kind in this case. 
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2 . Ane Brun . By Your SideAne Brun’s rendition of “By Your Side” reinvents Sade’s ethereal 2000 original with a stripped-back acoustic elegance that thrives on its intimacy and understated beauty. Released in 2017 as part of her cover-centric album *Leave Me Breathless*, the track trades the sultry warmth of Sade’s production for a ghostly minimalism, letting Brun’s voice navigate the scars and solace of the lyrics with an almost surgical precision. Eschewing grandiose instrumentation, she opts for sparse arrangements that turn the song inward, collapsing it into a private communion rather than a sweeping serenade. A notable gem within her interpretation is the isolation performance during the pandemic in 2020, where the song’s themes of unwavering care took on an even sharper poignancy against the backdrop of global uncertainty. The result feels less like a traditional cover and more like a quiet archaeological dig through the emotional layers hidden in the original. While it won’t overshadow Sade’s version, that’s perhaps Brun’s charm—her ability to recast a polished jewel as a raw, delicate fragment, inviting listeners not to compare but to feel differently.
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3 . Cleveland P. Jones . PearlsCleveland P. Jones’s reinterpretation of “Pearls” takes Sade’s 1992 original and filters it through a distinctive lens shaped by jazz and R&B. His vocals ache with fragility, capturing both the spiritual yearning and stark despair embedded in the song’s narrative. The production, spearheaded by DJ Spen and Jihad Muhammad, opts for a polished, groove-heavy approach that leans on layered beats and intricate keyboard arrangements by Ezel Feliz. Where Sade’s version exuded delicate minimalism, this rendition swells with rhythmic depth, adding a club-ready sensibility without stripping the song of its poignant gravitas. Each mix highlights a different facet—be it the nearly nine-minute extended vocal version, the pared-back dubstrumental, or the stripped-down percussive bonus beats. The decision to emphasize dancefloor aesthetics aligns with Quantize Recordings’ ethos, but there’s a nagging question of whether the emotional core risks being overshadowed by the arrangement’s sheer opulence. That said, Jones’s voice remains the centerpiece, anchoring the track with raw emotion. While this rendition may feel far removed from Sade’s haunting sparsity, it carves out its own space—one tethered to movement, reinterpretation, and the enduring relevance of a classic.
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4 . You+Me feat. Pink . No Ordinary LoveReleased in 1992 as the opening song for their “Love Deluxe” album, the track drifts between a hypnotic bassline and shimmering guitar riffs, effectively cocooning the listener in its sultry melancholy. Sade Adu’s understated yet emotionally charged vocals deliver lines that simmer with a quiet intensity, embodying the song’s theme of devotion and heartbreak. The music’s slow build feels like a tide pulling you in, setting an appropriately dramatic tone for what would eventually become an iconic moment in the band’s career. Interestingly, the song found renewed life through cinema, reappearing in popular consciousness thanks to its inclusion in *Indecent Proposal*—a cultural touchstone of early ’90s melodrama. Pink’s folk project You+Me does give a nod to the track on their 2014 album *rose ave.*, reimagining it with stripped-back instrumentation and vocal harmonies. While the cover feels intimate, it lacks the lush sophistication of Sade’s original, trading intricate production for a rustic earnestness. Still, the reinterpretation underscores the song’s versatility, proving that “No Ordinary Love” can weather both genre shifts and generational divides. Sade’s version remains a pinnacle of understated grandeur, but hearing its reinterpretation offers a fresh perspective on its enduring emotional core.
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5 . Kelela . Like . TattooKelela’s rendition of Sade’s “Like A Tattoo” strips the original of its understated instrumentation, replacing it with a stark pairing of piano, played with aching precision by Jason Moran, and her own ethereal vocals. Released in February 2023 as part of Amazon Music’s “Credit the Culture” campaign for Black History Month, the song is a deliberate nod to a pillar of R&B subtlety while remaining distinctively tailored to Kelela’s sonic sensibilities. Unlike the lush production of her recent “Raven” album on Warp Records, this track thrives on its emptiness, leaving listeners suspended in a minimalist haze. Kelela doesn’t rush or overreach here, instead letting the emotional gravity of the source material guide her performance. The choice to revisit this cut—a standout from Sade’s 1992 “Love Deluxe” album—feels revealing, particularly since Kelela has openly hailed Sade’s work as a major influence on her approach to crafting intimacy in music. Originally performed live during a BBC Radio 1 Piano Session in 2017, this cover hones in on pauses and delicately layered delivery, where silence plays as poignant a role as the notes themselves. Released as an Amazon Original, it signals both an homage and a subtle recalibration of a classic, with neither artist overshadowing the other—a rarity in the precarious world of cover songs. The stripped arrangement, devoid of excessive reinterpretation or modern embellishment, allows the song’s raw narrative of human scars and memory to retain its enduring potency. It’s the kind of production that invites close listening, not for complex flourishes, but for the unvarnished emotional truth Kelela channels through each deliberate, unhurried phrase.
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6 . Melody Angel . JezebelFrankie Laine’s “Jezebel” captures the spirit of 1950s pop, pairing biblical melodrama with a fiery orchestral arrangement that all but demands attention. With its booming vocals and theatrical flair, the track clinches its place as a chart heavyweight, surging to number 2 while sharing its gold-medal moment with the B-side’s infectious charm, “Rose, Rose, I Love You.” This is no minimalist effort—Mitch Miller’s orchestra and the Norman Luboff Choir lean unapologetically into grandeur, turning a tale of Old Testament villainy into a multi-textured auditory spectacle. Think of it as biblical noir set to music, as Laine’s commanding voice castigates the titular Jezebel with almost operatic fervor. The cultural resonance is undeniable; the song’s fingerprints are evident in renditions by Edith Piaf and Marty Wilde, each adding layers of French melancholia or British mod to the already vivid canvas. Contrast this with Lady Gaga’s “Angel Down,” and you tiptoe into a starkly different realm. Here, tragedy is stripped of theatrics, dealing instead in raw vulnerability over sleek piano-driven production. Its genesis came from the deep societal grief following Trayvon Martin’s death, weighing the moral vacuity of hashtags against the stark weight of human loss. There’s no preachiness—just simmering disappointment wrapped in backwards loops and gently psychedelic textures, as if each melody were folded over the next in an origami of anguish. Rather than roaring, Gaga whispers her dissent, possessed by the haunting immediacy of current events she refuses to sugarcoat. Angel Down’s live renditions, most memorably amid the divisive climate of 2016, cement its role as a poignant, if fleeting, protest in her otherwise genre-fluid catalog. Melody Angel’s blues-rock riffs unfold in sharp contrast, wielding her guitar like a weapon and belting out vocals with an edge honed in raw emotion. No theatrics here either but a vibrant immediacy etched directly into the strings, hammering home the primal link between performer and audience. Across these works—Laine’s technicolor drama, Gaga’s muted fury, and Angel’s gritty immediacy—songcraft proves itself not just an art form but a mirror reflecting everything from biblical lore to modern discontent.
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7 . Jason Mraz . Lovers RockJason Mraz’s take on “Lovers Rock” is a mellow flirtation with reggae-inspired vibes, lifted from his 2020 album *Look For The Good*, but its live performance roots stretch back to the Purecharts Live session in 2012. Sade’s original is a sultry anthem of smooth romance, while Mraz’s version trades its understated allure for a sprightlier warmth, spinning celebratory unity through his easy-going charismatic charm. This isn’t an album centerpiece or a viral smash, but its YouTube availability makes it a comfortable detour for fans tuning in to Mraz’s knack for reinterpreting hits through his lens of acoustic buoyancy. If anything, it highlights his ability to connect even the sparsest melodies with a breezy sincerity that feels organic, albeit far from groundbreaking. The choice to integrate a reggae twist aligns with Mraz’s general ethos of positivity but doesn’t quite carry the weight of the original’s moody elegance, leaving his rendition a pleasant, if safer, entry into his catalog.
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8 . Gabriela Richardson . Hang On To Your LoveGabriela Richardson’s acoustic rendition of “Hang On To Your Love” takes Sade’s 1984 classic and strips it down to its bare essentials, trading its lush, jazzy textures for a more intimate delivery. The track leans on minimalism, emphasizing Richardson’s vocals, which manage to walk the fine line between homage and individuality. The acoustic instrumentation creates a space that highlights the song’s inherent sensuality without overloading it, though its simplicity might feel a touch too restrained for those expecting a fresh twist. Released as part of Richardson’s acoustic repertoire in 2015, this version tries to balance nostalgia with her unique artistic lens, though it doesn’t entirely depart from the shadow of its original. The accompanying visuals are straightforward—perhaps too subdued for a track that originally exuded such atmospheric charm. It’s an interpretation that respects its source but feels more like a quiet conversation than a statement, playing it safe where boldness might have yielded more striking results.
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9 . Robert Glasper . Lalah Hathaway . Cherish The DayRobert Glasper and Lalah Hathaway take on Sade’s “Cherish The Day” and transform it into something entirely their own, stripping it down and rebuilding it with jazz and R&B textures that feel both contemporary and reverent. Lalah Hathaway’s voice—a smoky, effortless blend of power and restraint—slides through each note, bringing a fresh emotional weight to a song that’s already steeped in intimacy. Robert Glasper’s piano arrangements are anything but predictable, weaving through the melody with a kind of casual virtuosity that avoids showiness but demands attention. Joined by Derrick Hodge on bass, Casey Benjamin on sax and synths, and Chris Dave on drums, the band leans into the fluidity of Glasper’s arrangements, making the song feel alive and improvised, even as it maintains the structural integrity of the original. What’s striking here is the interplay: Hathaway’s vocals and Glasper’s keys seem to converse, sometimes teasing, sometimes fully aligned, creating moments that feel almost voyeuristic in their intimacy. This isn’t merely an updated version of a classic; it’s a reimagination, one that trades Sade’s cool sophistication for a warmer, more textured experience. The production preserves all the sonic details, from the ambient swells of synthesizers to the subtle, almost conversational clicks of Dave’s drumming. The live performances take the song a step further, highlighting the natural chemistry and unspoken communication between Glasper and Hathaway, who manage to balance precision with freedom on stage. For all its intricacies, though, the track remains accessible, showcasing the artistry of its creators without alienating the listener or indulging in unnecessary self-indulgence. It’s not just about reinterpretation; it’s about thoughtful transformation, turning something iconic into something personal—and equally enduring.
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10 . Lauryn Hill . Love Is Stronger Than PrideLauryn Hill’s rendition of “Love Is Stronger Than Pride” takes Sade’s understated 1988 classic and reframes it through the lens of Hill’s unmistakable artistry. Performed live at venues like The Howard Theatre and the “Louis Armstrong’s Wonderful World” event in 2015, this cover never finds its way into a studio album yet seizes its own niche in Hill’s repertoire. Departing from Sade’s trademark blend of ethereal keyboards and muted percussion, Hill opts for a grittier emotional charge, weaving her singular vocal inflections into the fabric of an already haunting melody. Her delivery flirts with imperfection in a way that feels intimate, leaning into rawness that reflects both her strength and vulnerability as an artist. While Sade’s original unfolds with a measured serenity, Hill’s interpretation brims with a sense of urgency that demands attention. There’s an unpolished beauty here, a reminder that the power of live performance lies in its unpredictability and immediacy. This isn’t a song that tries to compete with its origin; instead, it opens a new dialogue, one that highlights Hill’s ability to reinterpret rather than replicate. In doing so, it underscores her enduring gift for transformation, offering a moment that feels both timeless and distinctly her own.
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11 . Nastachia . Is It A CrimeWhen Nastachia reinterprets Sade’s 1985 classic “Is It A Crime,” the result feels like a modern communiqué sent from the sultry past of jazz-infused R&B to the experimental present. The original, part of Sade’s celebrated *Promise* album—an opus that perched atop the US Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy tap on the shoulder—thrummed with intimate tension, its subdued horns and melting rhythms charting muted highs at #49 on the Billboard Hot 100 and a more lively #10 on the R&B/Hip-Hop list. Nastachia, delivering her version on the informal stage of YouTube, toes the line between homage and reinvention. While remaining loyal to the soulful groundwork laid by Sade, she filters the arrangement through a lens tinted with contemporary flourishes. Her voice, a softer echo of the original’s smokiness, negotiates that tightrope between reverence and individuality without teetering too far in either direction. The production, while polished, narrows some of the nostalgic warmth into something more clinically pristine, a choice that might polarize listeners. For those resistant to tampering with the sacrosanct, the changes may feel unnecessary. But for those open to reinterpretation, it offers a glimpse of how an ageless track can still resonate in different musical climates. Ultimately, it’s less about reshaping a masterpiece and more about basking in its enduring glow, with Nastachia’s take acting as both mirror and prism for its ethereal charm.
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12 . Corneille . Smooth OperatorCorneille’s rendition of “Smooth Operator” slides comfortably into the snug shadow of Sade’s 1984 original, yet it doesn’t shy away from weaving in its own flavor. A product of the Canadian singer-songwriter’s 2018 portfolio, this cover doesn’t attempt to outdo or reimagine the sultry jazz sophistication of its predecessor but treats it with reverence, layering in an undeniable R&B warmth that’s distinctively Corneille. The velvety vocals remain intact, but they carry a slightly modernized sheen, a reflection of Corneille’s knack for infusing contemporary subtlety into timeless classics. Musically speaking, the original atmospherics—those unmistakable saxophone flourishes and urbane grooves—remain largely undisturbed, though Corneille shades the canvas with his usual soulful delivery, resulting in a cover that feels personal yet familiar. The music video, accessible on platforms such as YouTube and Apple Music, opts for a sleek and unpretentious visual style that mirrors the track’s understated elegance without veering into overwrought territory. Chart success isn’t the story here, nor are accolades; “Smooth Operator” exists as a niche addition to Corneille’s diverse catalog, rather than a chart-topping spectacle. It’s a refreshing take that avoids ostentation, choosing instead to lean on nostalgia while offering a gentle nod toward reinvention—a measured move for an artist who thrives less on spectacle and more on communication through tone and texture. There’s no grand artistic risk at play, yet none seems necessary; this isn’t about rewriting history but amplifying its echoes through a fresh, respectful lens.
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For THE FULL COVERS COLLECTION click here
