Like a Tattoo

A year or two ago, a good friend of mine recommended I cover this song. In as much time, I haven’t gotten to make the cover yet. I believe it’s because I’ve spent that much time being captivated by the beauty of the original piece, too much to put hands to my own version of it. Of course I’ve had other things going on too, but that’s not much of an excuse- when there’s a need in my spirit, I cover a song like I take a shower. It just has to happen. 

A new but familiar dimension

Sade has many great songs, but this one is my favorite. It has the power to transport you to a dimension of emotions like few other songs I’ve heard before. It’s an immediate teleportation- the guitar strums, and the rush of time flows past you. Suddenly you’re in Sade’s memory, the truth of her voice meeting your soul, and there’s a weighted peacefulness. Your mind forms images to complete the poetry in her lyrics, and before you know it your eyes are closed. Breathing in the moment. At least, this is my experience. 

Shared truth

I enjoy reading the comments on Youtube now because they are usually some of the most positive and authentic forms of communion on the internet; they tell me my sentiments are shared. Also worth noting, are the number of years in between the album’s original release (1992), the year the song was uploaded to YouTube (8 years ago), and the recency of the comments (3 days ago and newer). It proves the timeless nature of this art.

Influence on Desire

I was kind of upset when I first found Sade’s music, because I hadn’t found it sooner. I felt like I should’ve been notified. I think it was during the pandemic, early quarantine times. Things find us at the right time though; I remember how their music influenced me during a time I was doing more production on my own music, and I was inspired to create some deeply emotional cuts. 

Lessons from an Artist’s Perspective

So what can we learn from Sade? 

-Less is more. Sade is not about vocal acrobatics; her power is in singing a series of notes perfectly in tune, at a pace that’s comfortable for her. She doesn’t holler, but she sings from her soul. She has dynamics in her vocals, but often they gently cascade rather than knock you off your feet. I admire the sophistication of simplicity in her delivery. It reminds me that a thoughtfully executed vocal is just as powerful as a complex series of runs. (see Christina Aguilera for example)

-The groove matters. Sade’s songs are about so many things: love, family, work. But no matter the topic, the groove is there. Generally, I can bump Sade. I argue that you can write a song about anything, as long as it bumps. 

-The emotion behind the song, and the composition should go hand in hand. I would argue her most moving songs are the ones where this is executed to a T. Like a Tattoo, Is it a Crime, Kiss of Life, etc. Musical notes, when combined in the right order and played with intention, evoke emotions in us that go beyond differences- resonating on the level of being. I think most people know music is a universal language, but I think few understand why. As vibrational beings, we innately understand vibration on a higher level. Whether we can put it into words or not, what’s felt is undeniable. At the height of their powers, Sade proves this point through songs that stand the test of time.