She’s influenced many artists, but she sounds like nobody but herself. In the 1980s, in the midst of synth-pop and hair metal, came “Smooth Operator,” and in the 2000s, she released the quiet album Soldier of Love, amidst a sea of Auto-Tune and hyper-production. She appears to be absolutely disinterested in the star-maker machinery that churns out pop celebrities, and in an industry that rewards spectacle, her quiet—the fact that she releases albums infrequently, her refusal to shout, overshare, or perform some character—is radical. This song captures her lush, non-explanatory restraint. It just feels good listening to her.

Sade, “By Your Side,” written by Sade Adu, Paul Spencer Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale, 2000.

This post is part of Music 100, a love letter to songs. 100 words on 100 songs in 100 days, running from Groundhog Day to 4th of July, 2025.

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