One Song

How many words can we use to describe Sade’s voice? Hint: the answer is more than ten. We’re kicking off a new season of One Song with an all-timer: Sade’s 1984 jazz-soul-pop classic, “Smooth Operator”.

Diallo and LUXXURY discuss the origin and evolution of Sade from a backing singer to a star who blended style, sophistication, and sexiness in one iconic force of nature. We also argue a lot about how to pronounce her name (and there’s technically one correct answer).

Then, we dive into the stems and get into a the bass line that never breaks a sweat, the chords that make you feel sexy even when you’re alone, the epitome of 80s saxophone, and of course, the unmistakable vocals of Helen Folasade Adu, aka Sade.

Songs Discussed:

“Searching” (1980) - Change feat. Luther Vandross

“Like A Tattoo” (1992) - Sade

“Pride (When You Can’t Back Down)” (1982) - Pride

“Love Is Stronger Than Pride” (1988) - Sade

“Don’t You Want Me Baby” (1981) - The Human League

“Venceremos (We Will Win)” (1984) - Working Week

“When Am I Going to Make a Living” (1985) - Sade

“Is It A Crime (Live Aid at Wembley Stadium, London)” (1985) - Sade

“Kiss of Life” (1992) - Sade

“War of Hearts” (1985) - Sade

“Sweetest Taboo” (1985) - Sade

“Maureen” (1985) - Sade

“Paradise” (1988) - Sade

“No Ordinary Love” (1992) - Sade

“You Will Rise” (1996) - Sweetback feat. Amel Larrieux

“Manhood” (2000) - Victor Duplaix

Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong

Check out the One Song Spotify playlist

Recorded at Spotify Studios

Engineering by Ryan Todd

Produced by Eric Hicks and Demian Kendall

Edited and mixed by Eric Hicks

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We’re revisiting an episode with all you ever wanted and all you ever needed from Diallo and LUXXURY. Okay, well, not everything, but in Part 2 of our Depeche Mode special, the guys break down the band’s biggest hit, “Enjoy the Silence.” Get ready to learn Depeche Mode’s techniques for crafting moodier, darker, and more atmospheric sounds, why this song took them to global superstar status, and how they paved the way for countless bands to create synth-driven, danceable music.

New episodes return next week! Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong for early/ad-free access and bonus episodes.
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This week, we’re revisiting an important question: How much do Diallo and LUXXURY love Depeche Mode? Answer – so much that they couldn’t pack it all into one episode. So get ready for a thorough two-part deep dive on these pioneers who defined the sound of electronic music! In Part One, the guys discuss Depeche Mode’s early years and their dynamic approach to using synthesizers and drum machines to make their music. Plus, they break down how “People Are People” was made—the song that took them global.

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Hey One Song Nation, we’re excited to announce a whole spate of new episodes coming your way starting October 15! We’ve got a new partner and a bunch of new songs to break down. But first, we’re opening the Patreon to share the full version of an instant classic: our contentious (but not really) interview with Geoff Barrow (Portishead, Beak>, Ex Machina) where we tried to answer the question: Does breaking down music ruin it?

This feud began in the comments of our Pharcyde "Runnin'" episode where Barrow commented, “Why does everyone need to break everything down to weird maths?” Thus sparking a DM convo with LUXXURY which led to this, the debate of the century! (which is actually a very polite conversation by very nice men!) We also get into the hip-hop origins of Portishead, a few of Geoff’s wonderfully hot takes, and the process of composing music for film vs. a band.

Subscribe to the One Song Patreon at patreon.com/onesong

Check out the One Song Spotify playlist

Produced by Demian Kendall
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We’re revisiting an episode that goes beyond music’s cultural impact to talk about its meteorological impact. When Rihanna's Umbrella topped the charts in the UK, it coincided with a period of heavy rain and flooding. The same thing happened in Romania and New Zealand. Coincidence, or did Rihanna's hit change the weather?

On this episode of One Song, Diallo Riddle and LUXXURY explore the song's backstory, delve into the stems, and get to the bottom of how Rihanna arrived as a global megastar and made it rain. Literally.
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